New York: Rapper Macklemore has said he has been removed from Ed Sheeran’s US tour for his ‘Free Palestine’ remarks, sparking a controversy that has brought into the spotlight the grey areas at the intersection of music, politics and free expression.
Macklemore put out a lengthy social media post explaining his side in the saga. It has since become a talking point, with references to free speech, antisemitism, and whether artists should face professional consequences for political activism.
Macklemore performed at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium on September 4 and 5, where he used his time on stage to speak about Palestine and perform his protest song, “Hind’s Hall”. Macklemore has said his remarks were directed at the actions of the Israeli state and not intended as criticism of the Jewish people.
Addressing the crowd on September 4, Macklemore said he was on the tour because he wanted to speak about Palestine. He said he wanted his message to reach people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, adding that they had not been forgotten.
According to reports, images and visuals from the West Bank were also shown at the stadium during his performance. Macklemore continued to speak about Palestine on social media after the show, reiterating that his remarks were not directed at Jewish people collectively.
Macklemore’s post describes Sheeran as his “brother” and says that neither he, Sheeran, nor Pink were the victims of the controversy. “The victims are the Palestinian people,” he wrote, adding a claim that more than 20,000 children are being killed in Gaza.
Macklemore also stressed that Sheeran is a close friend whom he has known for 13 years, saying they have shared stages and studio sessions.
“The type of talks rooted in love and respect for one another that still end in a place of fundamental disagreement. Nothing I’m writing here is out of spite or because I want to tear down his character,” he wrote.
His post also criticised the United States for providing support to Israel. “But there is no neutral position between oppressed and oppressor,” he wrote, arguing that when one side has access to bombs and extensive financial and military support from the US, refusing to take a side does not amount to neutrality.
Macklemore said he has been speaking publicly in support of “Free Palestine” for three years and questioned why his stance had suddenly become an issue.
He also acknowledged that antisemitism is real, but criticised what he described as the use of the term to shield the Israeli state from criticism and accountability. He stressed that opposing the actions of the Israeli government should not be equated with hostility towards Jewish people.
Macklemore’s comments have drawn both support and criticism; his removal from the tour has added another layer to the debate over how far artists can go in using major platforms to speak on politically sensitive issues. For now, the “Ed Sheeran chapter” appears to have closed, but the conversation sparked by Macklemore’s stand is far from over.