Ed Sheeran faces backlash after Macklemore is dropped from tour over Palestine support

Macklemore said Sheeran and his team decided to remove him after they had difficult conversations about his statements

Ed Sheeran is facing backlash after Macklemore revealed that he had been removed from Sheeran’s The Loop tour following a disagreement over the rapper’s outspoken support for Palestine.

The dispute followed Macklemore’s decision to speak publicly about Israel's genocide in Palestine, including his “Free Palestine” comment.

Macklemore said Sheeran and his team ultimately decided to remove him from the tour after the two musicians had difficult conversations about his political statements.

 

 

 

 

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The pair have reportedly known each other for 13 years.

Macklemore described the situation as a “painful”, saying the discussions had resulted in what he called a “fundamental disagreement”. He wrote, “Ed Sheeran and his team have made the decision to remove me from The Loop tour.”

Macklemore also addressed the consequences artists can face when speaking publicly on contentious political issues. “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.”

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The decision has prompted criticism of Sheeran, particularly because he has previously used his platform to speak about Ukraine.

In 2022, Sheeran released the “2Step” video, filmed in Kyiv before Russia’s full-scale invasion, and described Ukraine as a “proud and resilient country”. He also pledged YouTube royalties from the song to the UK’s Disasters Emergency Committee.

The contrast has fuelled debate over whether Sheeran is genuinely apolitical or simply selective about the political causes he is willing to associate himself with.

Sheeran has also faced scrutiny over his association with Robert Kraft, who is the owner of Gillette Stadium where Macklemore and Sheeran were set to perform this month and who pressured the singer to drop the rapper over his remarks.

Sheeran also appeared at Robert Kraft’s 2022 wedding to Dr Dana Blumberg. Social media users pointed out that Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots and founder of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, has also been mentioned in reporting surrounding the Epstein files.

The connection has prompted some online critics to criticise Sheeran for capitulating to the demands of powerful and politically connected figures, with many calling for boycott of his music after these recent developments.