Music Macklemore Ed Sheeran
FILE - Macklemore performs at Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater during the South by Southwest Music Festival, March 17, 2023, in Austin, Texas.
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Macklemore says he has been dropped from Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour following pro-Palestinian comments he made onstage earlier this month at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. The Grammy winner said on Instagram Monday that several U.S. venues told the promoter that they would prohibit the “Thrift Store” rapper from performing as Sheeran’s opening act. As a result, he wrote, Sheeran’s team decided to remove him from the stadium tour, despite the fact that Macklemore has been making similar comments about the plight of Palestinians for years. Sheeran hasn't commented.
Ed Sheeran says dropping Macklemore over rapper's pro-Palestinian comments was 'promoter’s decision'
Ed Sheeran has addressed the removal of rapper Macklemore as his opening act after the rapper made pro-Palestinian comments during a performance. Sheeran stated on Instagram that the removal decision was made solely by the tour promoters. He emphasized his commitment to fans and crew, saying he would never abandon them. The Messina Touring Group, the tour’s promoter, did not comment. Macklemore claimed he was dropped after expressing support for Palestine during a concert in New Jersey. Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, cited what he described as Macklemore's history of antisemitic rhetoric. Sheeran expressed respect for Macklemore's stance but said he prefers to keep his concerts apolitical.
