American rapper, singer, dancer, and DJ Benjamin Haggerty, known as Macklemore, spoke out in defense of his support for Palestine after being removed from the remaining dates of Ed Sheeran's American 'Loop Tour.'
Rapper Macklemore broke his silence following his removal from Ed Sheeran's American tour, stating that he is not a victim of this controversy and firmly maintains his stance regarding Palestine.
In a detailed statement published on Instagram on Monday, Macklemore commented on the decision to exclude him from the remaining performances on Sheeran's tour. This followed negative reactions to comments he made during his opening set at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month.
The rapper noted that he wanted to speak 'from the heart' and share his version of events, emphasizing that he does not view the situation as personal losses. He stated: 'I am not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim. Pink is not a victim,' referencing the artists involved in the dispute.
He added that they all possess careers, money, opportunities, security, and audiences worldwide, and that regardless of the consequences of their statements, they can return to their families.
Macklemore insisted that the focus should be on the Palestinians affected by the conflict in Gaza. He wrote: 'The victims are the Palestinian people. Men, women, and children who have been killed, starved, displaced, and forced to endure unimaginable violence.'
What happened between Macklemore and Ed Sheeran?
Macklemore's exclusion from the tour followed his performance at MetLife Stadium, where he expressed solidarity with the liberation of Palestine and chanted 'Free Palestine' during his set. Furthermore, he performed his politically charged song 'Hind's Hall,' which criticizes Israeli actions in Gaza and was accompanied by imagery related to the conflict.
This performance sparked a wave of criticism, including demands from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee to remove the rapper from the tour. Singer Pink was also drawn into the discussion after posting a critique of Macklemore's remarks, later releasing her own statement to clarify her position.
On Monday, tour promoter Messina Touring Group confirmed that Macklemore would not perform on the remaining US dates. The promoter stated: 'As the concert promoter for Ed Sheeran's American tour, we received notifications from the venues for the upcoming dates in the US that they would not allow a concert featuring Macklemore, which would lead to the cancellation of the tour and affect hundreds of thousands of fans.' He continued: 'After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not perform on the remaining additional dates.'
Macklemore also suggested in his Instagram statement that pressure from influential figures in the American sports and entertainment industries played a role in the decision. He claimed that Sheeran informed him that Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, contacted him after the scandal.
According to Macklemore, Sheeran conveyed that Kraft indicated that his further participation in the tour could affect whether certain venues would host concerts. Macklemore also stated that the pressure spread to other stadium owners, ultimately making his exclusion necessary for the tour to continue. These claims were not independently confirmed by Sheeran or Kraft, but the promoter did confirm that several venues objected to keeping Macklemore in the lineup.
Macklemore said he understands Sheeran's attempts to remain politically neutral but questioned the possibility of neutrality when discussing the situation in Gaza. He also responded to criticism that his comments were inappropriate for a concert setting, arguing that his platform allows him to reach people who might otherwise not be interested in the issue.
In a statement quoted by NME, he said: 'I share a stage with one of the biggest artists in the world. At a certain level of exposure, 'Free Palestine' becomes too big of a risk.'
Despite the disagreements, Macklemore expressed hope that his friendship with Sheeran would survive this dispute. The rapper insists that his criticism is aimed at inequality and the actions of the Israeli government, not at Jews, and rejects accusations of antisemitism in connection with his support for Palestine. He concluded his statement by affirming his commitment to public speaking, even if it entails professional costs. The remaining dates of Sheeran's tour in the US will proceed without Macklemore, with other headliners such as Lukas Graham and Aaron Rowe expected to perform.