American rapper Macklemore has been removed from the U.S. segment of Ed Sheeran’s tour following pressure from venues threatening to cancel shows if he remained due to his vocal support for Palestinians. Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, performed at the first two U.S. shows with Sheeran before being dropped from the remaining eight.
During his appearance at MetLife Stadium, Macklemore made pro-Palestine statements, chanted “Free Palestine,” and showed solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. This drew criticism from pro-Israel groups. He also wore a keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian scarf, and performed his song “Hind’s Hall,” released in 2024 to support student protesters and condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The decision to remove Macklemore from the tour came after discussions with stakeholders, according to the tour promoter, Messina Touring Group. Macklemore, in a statement on Instagram, blamed New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft for orchestrating his removal, claiming Kraft pressured other stadium owners to threaten concert cancellations if Macklemore remained on the bill.
Macklemore’s onstage speech included a declaration of “Free Palestine” and a message of peace and human dignity, emphasizing that his criticism was aimed at the Israeli government and not the Jewish people. Following the incident, singer Pink shared a post calling for Macklemore’s removal from the tour, citing his past controversial actions and statements.
Support for Macklemore’s stance was expressed by activists and fellow musicians, while the entertainment industry faces ongoing controversies surrounding free speech and support for Palestinians. It coincides with other actors like Mark Ruffalo and Susan Sarandon facing backlash for their public statements on the Israel-Palestine conflict and related issues.
