U.S. rapper Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, aka Macklemore, performs during the Colours of Ostrava music festival in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on July 20, 2023. (Credit: Michal Cizek/AFP)
U.S. rapper Macklemore was told he could no longer take part in Ed Sheeran's U.S. tour because of his pro-Palestinian stance, the U.S. rapper said Monday.
The artist called out "Free Palestine" and told the crowd at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey that he wanted the people of Gaza and the West Bank to know they had not been forgotten
This simple line led to accusations of antisemitism amongst some, as well as calls for him to be removed, including from singer Pink.
"We have been notified by venues on the upcoming U.S. tour dates that they will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup, which would result in the cancellation of the tour and impact hundreds of thousands of fans," said a statement from Messina Touring Group, which is promoting Sheeran's U.S. Loop Tour.
"After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates."
Macklemore spoke out on Instagram, highlighting the political differences between him and his "friend" Sheeran.
"His typical apolitical stance was being challenged in a way it never had been before," he wrote.
"I hope this isn't the end my relationship with Ed. Thirteen years of friendship doesn't disappear because of one painful disagreement.
"But 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."
Israel has killed more than 73,000 people during its genocidal war on Gaza.
Macklemore, known for hits including "Thrift Shop" and "Can't Hold Us," has long taken a stand in support of the Palestinians.
In 2024, he released "Hind's Hall," which pays tribute to Hind Rajab, a five-year-old Palestinian girl whose death sparked a wave of international outrage.
