Macklemore excluded from Ed Sheeran's tour: controversy, donations and withdrawals
The rapper ousted after pro-Palestine chants at MetLife Stadium. Macklemore donates one million, Kraft responds with two million.
Quick Look
- Rapper Macklemore was kicked out of Ed Sheeran's North American Loop Tour after singing pro-Palestine songs and speeches.
- The decision triggered protests, the withdrawal of several artists, the intervention of billionaire Robert Kraft and a million-dollar charitable donation from the rapper.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Rapper Macklemore gave speeches and sang pro-Palestine songs during Ed Sheeran's North American tour, sparking reactions and petitions from the Israeli American Council.
Singer Ed Sheeran has responded to the controversy that erupted after Macklemore was excluded from his North American Loop Tour.
On September 4, 2026, on the stage of the MetLife Stadium, in New Jersey, the rapper gave a speech in favor of "free Palestine". In particular, he had not only said that he wanted to let the population of Gaza and "occupied Cisisgordania" know that "we have not forgotten about them", but he had also sung the song Hind's Hall. The song criticizes Israeli military actions and is inspired both by the case of Hind Rajab, killed at the age of 5 in Gaza in January 2024, and by the protest of Columbia University students, who renamed Hamilton Hall in honor of the little girl.
On September 5, 2026, during his second concert appearance, Macklemore reiterated his support for Palestine and addressed Jewish members of the audience: "Criticizing Israel, criticizing apartheid, being against genocide is in no way a criticism of you. My message is one of peace, of love; for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect and equality."
However, the Israeli American Council had launched a petition calling for Macklemore's exclusion from the remaining stages of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour, accusing him of using the show to promote a partisan political agenda.
On 14 September 2026, Messina Touring Group confirmed Macklemore's exclusion from the next eight dates, explaining that the venues would not accept his inclusion.
The decisive intervention was that of billionaire Robert Kraft, who confirmed that he had banned Macklemore from performing due to the phrases he uttered and previous episodes of alleged anti-Semitic rhetoric.
Macklemore responded by announcing that he will donate $1 million of his net earnings from the tour to organizations supporting the Palestinian people and called on Kraft to do the same.
Ed Sheeran published a long note on Instagram defending his position of neutrality and mediation, specifying that the decision to interrupt the collaboration with Macklemore was taken by the promoters and owners of the venues.
Several artists, including Aaron Rowe, the bands Beoga and Lukas Graham, and Finneas, withdrew from the tour in protest at Macklemore's censorship.
Finally, Robert Kraft stated that Ed Sheeran called him to pledge to donate $2 million to support the humanitarian crisis in the region.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The tour will restart on September 19th from Philadelphia without Macklemore.
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Which organizations will receive the funds promised by Robert Kraft?
- How will this affect future Loop Tour concerts?
