- Music
- 15 Sep 26
Macklemore responds to removal from Ed Sheeran's tour: "Our friendship can't change my responsibility to tell the truth"
"I told him that if those words were more offensive than tens of thousands of Palestinian children being killed by Israel, then there was a fundamental disconnect between where those people stood and where I stood," Macklemore wrote.
Macklemore has responded after being removed from Ed Sheeran's LOOP tour following 'free Palestine' remarks.
In a social media post shared on Monday, he confirmed that Sheeran and his team made the decision to remove him from the tour. This came after Sheeran's tour promoter issued a statement stating that venues threatened to pull out if the rapper was allowed to perform.
"Before I get into it, I want to say something that should be obvious," Macklemore wrote. "Ed Sheeran is not a victim. Pink is not a victim. 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."
He wrote that last Monday, the Kraft Group, who own Gillette Stadium which they were set to perform at later this month, had "rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave [Sheeran] an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues."
Sheeran has consistently avoided taking political stances through the years.
"Ed is my friend. I've known him for 13 years. We've shared late nights, studio sessions and stages ... And because of that, we've had some difficult conversations this past week ... As I told Ed multiple times on the phone, our friendship can't change my responsibility to tell the truth about what happened."
Macklemore first received backlash after joining Sheeran for two shows at MetLife stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5. There, he called for a free Palestine, playing his protest track, 'Hind's Hall' while showing images of Gaza onscreen.
Following the shows, the Israeli-American Council created a petition calling for his removal. He also received backlash from other artists, including P!NK who wrote a lengthy statement on social media, saying she was "standing up for my own people."
Macklemore continued, "[Sheeran] told me that the words 'Free Palestine' and the image of the Palestinian flag were hurtful to a lot of people he spoke with."
"I told him that if those words were more offensive than tens of thousands of Palestinian children being killed by Israel, then there was a fundamental disconnect between where those people stood and where I stood. But he couldn't get past his public facing, 'I don't take sides.'"
Macklemore went on to say he understood why Sheeran and others would be hesitant to speak out on the issue, noting the financial and career risks, but added that "when one side has the bombs and bottomless financial and military support from America, refusing to take a side doesn't leave you in the middle."
He once again refuted claims that his stance was antisemitic.
"Antisemitism is real. And that is exactly why the word matters too much to be used as a shield against criticism of the Israeli state."
He concluded the statement by saying he hopes "this isn't the end of my relationship with Ed." and once again calling for a free Palestine.
"If those words cost me the stage, while turning the conversation back to Palestine, then it was the most successful tour I've ever been on."
Several others have voiced their support for Macklemore, including KNEECAP, who shared a message on social media, writing:
"All solidarity with @macklemore. Today Israel is killing children, as they do every day. FREE PALESTINE."
Greta Thunberg also weighed in, stating:
"Full solidarity and free Palestine. Artists' very active silence in the face of injustice and genocide will not be forgotten."
Meanwhile, Bob Vylan commented, "There is no thanks for a duty."
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