Macklemore pulled from Ed Sheeran's tour over "Free Palestine" outcry
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Macklemore performs at Lollapalooza Paris on July 19, 2025. Photo: Kristy Sparow/Getty Images
Macklemore has been dropped from Ed Sheeran's world tour following his pro-Palestine comments on stage while opening for Sheeran.
Why it matters: Macklemore has advocated for Palestinians for years, but his remarks on a tour headlined by a different star sparked an outcry that led to the rapper getting pulled off the marquee.
Driving the news: Macklemore responded Monday morning to his removal from Sheeran's tour, which came after several concert venues allegedly said they would not allow Macklemore to perform on stage for Sheeran's forthcoming shows.
- The "Thrift Store" rapper was scheduled for eight of the 10 remaining shows on the tour, per Variety.
What he's saying: "I am not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim," he wrote on Instagram. "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."
- "The victims are the Palestinian people. The men, women and children who have been killed, starved, displaced and forced to live through unimaginable violence."
- Macklemore said the decision came after conversations with Sheeran, alleging Sheeran faced pressure from Robert Kraft and stadium owners to drop Macklemore from the tour.
Catch up quick: During Sept. 4-5 shows at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Macklemore made pro-Palestinian remarks during his sets.
- Macklemore told the MetLife crowd on Sept.4 that he wanted to do the tour "so I could stand up in stadiums like this and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: 'Free Palestine.'"
- Macklemore then performed his 2024 pro-Palestinian song "Hind's Hall," with images of war-torn Gaza playing to the stadium.
- Macklemore made similar comments on Sept. 5. Backlash came from Stop Antisemitism, the Israeli American Council and the Anti-Defamation League, with calls for his removal from the tour.
Zoom out: Macklemore, who's been a vocal supporter of the issue since 2023, isn't the only artist who suffered backlash from pro-Palestine comments.
- Cornell University nixed a planned 2025 concert by the singer Kehlani, citing her "antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments" in performances and on social media.
Go deeper: Trump officials targeted pro-Palestinian activists to stoke "fear," judge rules
