Macklemore has been removed from the remaining dates of Ed Sheeran's LOOP Tour following backlash over his 'Free Palestine' speech and performance earlier this month. Several major U.S. venues reportedly informed tour promoters that they would not permit the rapper to perform on their stages, leading to his exclusion from the tour.
The controversy began when Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, used his opening set at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to chant "Free Palestine" and deliver a speech advocating for Palestinian freedom. He also performed his song "Hind's Hall" with images of devastation in Gaza projected on screen.
Macklemore stated that "every human being deserves the same freedom" and expressed a desire for people in Gaza and the West Bank to know they were not forgotten. During his remarks, he also referred to ICE as a "terrorist organization" and called for freedom for Palestine, Cuba, Congo, Sudan, and Iran.
A petition organized by the Israeli-American Council called for Macklemore's removal from the tour, arguing that a concert should not be a political rally and questioning the use of a global platform for a "one-sided political agenda." The petition highlighted that concertgoers had purchased tickets to see Ed Sheeran, not to be subjected to political statements.
Social media reactions were divided, with some defending Macklemore's comments and others accusing him of antisemitic rhetoric. Singer Pink reposted an Instagram Story from StopAntisemitism that criticized Macklemore's performance, calling it "anti-Israel propaganda" and stating that Jewish fans were "ambushed."
Macklemore appeared to address the controversy by posting a clip of his speech with the caption, "Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial." He has a history of voicing support for Palestinians and has previously called out Israel's conduct in Gaza and the West Bank.
This incident follows a 2014 controversy where Macklemore issued an apology after wearing a disguise on stage that was condemned as an antisemitic Jewish caricature. In his apology at the time, he stated he would never intentionally offend anyone and respects all cultures and people.