American rapper Macklemore has broken his silence after being removed from Ed Sheeran’s US tour, saying he is not the victim in the controversy and standing by his support for Palestine.
In a lengthy statement shared on Instagram on Monday, Macklemore addressed the decision to remove him from the remaining dates of Sheeran’s The Loop Tour, following backlash over comments he made during his opening performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month.
The rapper said he wanted to speak “from the heart” and share his version of events, while making it clear that he did not view the situation as being about his own losses.
“I am not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim. Pink is not a victim,” he wrote, referring to the artists involved in the controversy.
“We have careers, money, opportunities, safety and audiences around the world. Whatever consequences any of us face for what we say, we get to go home to our families.”
Macklemore said the focus should instead remain on Palestinians affected by the conflict in Gaza.
“The victims are the Palestinian people. The men, women and children who have been killed, starved, displaced and forced to live through unimaginable violence,” he wrote.
What happened between Macklemore and Ed Sheeran?
Macklemore’s removal from the tour follows his performance at MetLife Stadium, where he expressed support for Palestinian liberation and called out “Free Palestine” during his set.
He also performed his politically charged song “Hind’s Hall”, which features criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and was accompanied by imagery connected to the conflict.
The performance sparked backlash, including calls from the Israeli American Council for the rapper to be removed from the tour. Singer Pink also became involved in the controversy after sharing a post criticising Macklemore’s remarks, later issuing her own statement to clarify her position.
On Monday, tour promoter Messina Touring Group confirmed that Macklemore would not perform at the remaining US dates.
“As the concert promoter for Ed Sheeran’s US Loop Tour, we have been notified by venues on the upcoming US tour dates that they will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup, which would result in the cancellation of the tour and impact hundreds of thousands of fans,” the promoter said.
“After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates.”
Macklemore claims Robert Kraft pressured Ed Sheeran
In his Instagram statement, Macklemore alleged that pressure from influential figures within the US sports and entertainment industry played a role in the decision.
Macklemore alleged in his Instagram statement that Sheeran told him that Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, had contacted him following the controversy.
According to Macklemore, Sheeran said Kraft had indicated that his continued presence on the tour could affect whether certain venues hosted the concerts.
Macklemore also claimed that the pressure extended to other stadium owners, ultimately making his removal necessary for the tour to continue.
These claims have not been independently confirmed by Sheeran or Kraft. The promoter, however, has confirmed that multiple venues objected to Macklemore remaining on the lineup.
‘I’m not going to stop speaking’
Macklemore said he understood that Sheeran had attempted to remain politically neutral, but questioned whether neutrality was possible when discussing the situation in Gaza.
He also addressed criticism that his comments were inappropriate for a concert setting, arguing that his platform allowed him to reach people who might not otherwise engage with the issue.
“I’m sharing a stage with one of the biggest artists in the world,” he said in a statement quoted by NME. “At a certain level of exposure, ‘Free Palestine’ becomes too much of a risk.”
Despite the fallout, Macklemore said he hoped his friendship with Sheeran would survive the disagreement.
The rapper has maintained that his criticism is directed at inequality and the actions of the Israeli government, rather than Jewish people, and has rejected accusations that his support for Palestine is antisemitic.
He concluded his statement by reiterating his commitment to speaking out, even if it comes at a professional cost.
The remaining dates of Sheeran’s US tour will continue without Macklemore, with other opening acts, including Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe, expected to perform.
