Rapper Macklemore removed from ED Sheeran’s US tour for making pro-Palestine remarks
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Rapper Macklemore has been removed from pop singer ED Sheeran’s tour of the United States after he made pro-Palestine comments at a concert earlier this month.
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Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, had been the opening act for Sheeran’s North American Loop tour. He had faced criticism from Jewish groups for saying “Free Palestine” and making political speeches at two concerts, the BBC reported.
Sheeran, in a social media post, attributed the decision to drop Macklemore to the promoters of the tour. “After Macklemore’s performances at my New Jersey shows, venues on my upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting,” he said.
Following the development, four of Sheeran’s supporting acts – Aaron Rowe, Boega, Lukas Graham and Finneas – said they were leaving the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.
On September 4, Macklemore performed his song Hind’s Hall, which criticises Israel’s military action in Gaza, during Ed Sheeran’s concert at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Footage showing the devastation in Gaza was also played on the stadium’s big screen during the performance.
He was quoted by BBC as telling the audience: “A big part of the reason why I wanted to do this tour in the first place is so that I could stand up in stadiums...