Rapper Macklemore will not be the opening act on singer Ed Sheeran’s stadium tour, in a statement Monday, after New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft banned pro-Palestinian comments he made on stage, organized by venue owners.
In the statement, Kraft confirmed that Macklemore had blocked Macklemore from Gillette Stadium, home of the Patriots and owned by Kraft, referring to comments the rapper made during a Sept. 4 visit to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Kraft’s statement cited what it described as Macklemore’s “extensive history of anti-Semitic speech and imagery that is deeply offensive and damaging to the Jewish community.”
During the tour, Macklemore used an opening segment to sing “Palestine is free” and denounce Israel’s war on Gaza. The statements In 2024, he accompanied the protest song “Hall of the Hind,” which he wrote about the killing of a 5-year-old girl, Hind Rajab, by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.
“To my Jewish brothers and sisters: Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, opposition to genocide, is not criticism of you in any way,” he said, playing footage of Israeli soldiers protesting Palestinian civilians and rubble.
The Seattle rapper faced backlash from media professionals and colleagues like singer Pink, who Macklemore said rejected the anti-Semitism that Jews like her have faced since the Gaza war began in October 2023.
In his statement On social mediaAccording to Macklemore, Kraft called Sheeran last week with instructions to drop him or make cancellations. The call comes after the American Council of Israel launched a petition calling on venues and tour operators to pressure Sheeran to oust Macklemore.
“We were scheduled to play Gillette Stadium, which is owned by the Kraft Group, later this month. Ed Kraft told me I wouldn’t be allowed to perform at his stadium,” Macklemore said. “Also, Ed Kraft told me that they got some other stadium owners together and gave him an ultimatum: If Macklemore goes on tour, you won’t be allowed to play at our venue.”
“Ed was in a political position. He knew it. His usual political position was being challenged like never before. He told me that the words ‘Free Palestine’ and the image of the Palestinian flag hurt a lot of people he spoke to. If those words were more offensive than the tens of thousands of Palestinian children being killed by Israel, that was the fundamental thing that I stood between those people and I stood between.”
Sheeran has not publicly commented on the situation. Representatives did not respond to requests for comment.
In the year Kraft has been a prominent and longtime supporter of Israel since founding the Foundation to Fight Anti-Semitism in 2019 and the Anti-Defamation League in 2022.
“This decision is not about diminishing the suffering of innocent Palestinians or denying anyone the right to advocate on their behalf,” Kraft wrote. “Their suffering and harm is real. But this agitation should not come at the expense of the Jewish community or hide the responsibility of Hamas…
“I agree with Macklemore, many lives have been lost and much has been suffered, but sharing selective information and ignoring the actions of Hamas is not just disloyalty and will only lead to more division and hatred.”
Kraft added that he has “tremendous” respect for Sheeran and welcomes future discussions with Macklemore. Macklemore did not say whether he had any discussions with other venue owners about starting Sheeran’s tour.
Messina Tour Group, the US promoter of Sheeran’s tour, confirmed Macklemore’s removal from the tour in a statement to Rolling Stone and The Hollywood Reporter on Monday afternoon. Messina’s team did not respond to a request for comment.
The company said: “We have been notified by venues that they will not allow Macklemore’s concerts on the upcoming US tour dates, which will cause the tour to be canceled and affect hundreds of thousands of fans.” “After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing for the remainder of the support dates.”
In addition to the shows scheduled for Sept. 25-26 outside Gillette Stadium, Macklemore was set to open for Sheeran at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta; Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis; Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC; AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas; and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
