Macklemore has spoken out after being removed from the remaining US dates of Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour, following his outspoken support for Palestine during two performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

The rapper had been performing as a support act on Sheeran’s US tour, but the tour promoter, Messina Touring Group, confirmed that he would no longer perform on the remaining dates after being informed that venues would not allow concerts to take place with him on the lineup.

The decision came after Macklemore used his performances on September 4 and 5 to speak about Palestine, including saying “Free Palestine” to the audience and performing his protest song, Hind’s Hall.

Macklemore’s appearance on the tour had already attracted attention before his removal was announced. During his first performance at MetLife Stadium on September 4, he used part of his set to address the conflict in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, telling the audience that speaking about Palestine was one of the reasons he wanted to be part of the tour.

Following the announcement, Macklemore shared a lengthy statement addressing what had happened, including his conversations with Sheeran, the alleged involvement of stadium owners and why he believes his support for Palestinians remains important despite the professional consequences.

The decision was not presented by the tour promoter as a disagreement between Macklemore and Sheeran alone. Messina Touring Group said it had been informed by venues hosting upcoming dates that they would not allow concerts to take place with Macklemore on the bill.

The promoter said this created the possibility that shows could be cancelled altogether, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of fans. Following discussions with stakeholders, the decision was therefore made to remove Macklemore from the remaining support dates.

At the beginning of his statement, Macklemore stressed that he did not view himself or Sheeran as victims of the situation, pointing instead towards Palestinians affected by the ongoing conflict.

“I am not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim. Pink is not a victim. We have careers, money, opportunities, safety and audiences around the world.”

“The victims are the Palestinian people. The men, women and children who have been killed, starved, displaced and forced to live through unimaginable violence.”

Macklemore then addressed his relationship with Sheeran, revealing that the pair have been friends for 13 years and describing the singer as someone he considers to be a brother.

“Ed is my friend. I’ve known him for 13 years. We’ve shared late nights, studio sessions and stages. He has this infectious magic about him that I’ve grown to love. I consider him a brother.”

Despite their close relationship, Macklemore said the two had experienced difficult conversations about his comments and the response to them.

He claimed Sheeran had been placed in a difficult position after receiving pressure from people connected to venues on the tour.

According to Macklemore, Sheeran told him that Robert Kraft, owner of the Kraft Group and the New England Patriots, had contacted him about Macklemore performing at Gillette Stadium.

Macklemore claimed Kraft told Sheeran that he would not be allowed to perform at the stadium, before allegedly rallying other stadium owners around the same position.

“Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.”

One of the most significant claims in Macklemore’s statement concerns Robert Kraft, the owner of Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, where Sheeran was scheduled to perform later in the US leg of the tour.

The allegation suggests the pressure extended beyond one venue. Macklemore’s account was that Sheeran was effectively faced with a choice between keeping him as an opening act and potentially losing access to multiple stadiums hosting the tour.

The claims come as Messina Touring Group has confirmed that several venues had informed the promoter they would not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup. The promoter said the decision was ultimately made after discussions with stakeholders, with Macklemore removed from the remaining support dates.

Kraft has since defended his decision regarding Macklemore’s scheduled performances at Gillette Stadium, saying his concerns related to what he described as antisemitic rhetoric and imagery, while also stating that the decision was not intended to diminish the suffering of Palestinians.

Macklemore, meanwhile, said Sheeran’s usual position of avoiding political sides had been challenged by the situation.

“Ed was in a fucked up position. He knew it. His typical apolitical stance was being challenged in a way it never had been before.”

According to Macklemore, Sheeran told him that the phrase “Free Palestine” and the Palestinian flag had been hurtful to people he had spoken to.

Macklemore said he challenged that view, arguing that he could not understand why those words could be considered more offensive than the deaths of Palestinian children.

“I told him that if those words were more offensive than tens of thousands of Palestinian children being killed by Israel, then there was a fundamental disconnect between where those people stood and where I stood.”

The rapper also addressed Sheeran’s reported position that he does not take sides, acknowledging that speaking publicly on controversial issues can carry significant professional consequences.

“Taking a side can cost you. Money, brand deals, sponsorships, festivals, private shows, relationships and access. I’ve lost all of those things.”

However, Macklemore said those potential consequences had not changed his own position.

“But there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed.”

He also questioned why his comments had caused such a significant reaction now, saying he had been speaking publicly in support of Palestine for almost three years.

“What I said at MetLife I have been saying on stages around the world for almost three years. So why is it an issue now?”

Macklemore suggested the difference was the scale of the platform he had been given through Sheeran’s tour.

“Because now I’m sharing a stage with one of the biggest artists in the world, in some of the biggest stadiums in America.”

He went on to argue that his performances could encourage other artists to speak publicly about Palestine, saying: “At a certain level of exposure, ‘Free Palestine’ becomes too much of a risk.”

The rapper also addressed accusations of antisemitism that have surrounded his comments, making a distinction between criticism of Israel and hatred towards Jewish people.

“Antisemitism is real. And that is exactly why the word matters too much to be used as a shield against criticism of the Israeli state.”

He added:

“When criticizing Israel, opposing Zionism or saying ‘Free Palestine’ gets conflated with hatred of Jewish people, it doesn’t protect Jewish people. It protects Israel from accountability.”

Macklemore has previously faced criticism over comments and imagery relating to Israel and antisemitism, while pro-Palestinian organisations and supporters have defended his right to speak about the conflict. The Israeli-American Council had also launched a petition calling for him to be removed from Sheeran’s tour following his MetLife performances.

Despite the disagreement, Macklemore made clear that he does not want his relationship with Sheeran to end as a result of the situation.

“I hope this isn’t the end of my relationship with Ed. Thirteen years of friendship doesn’t disappear because of one painful disagreement.”

He said he hoped they would continue listening to one another and discussing the situation, adding:

“My door will always be open to continuing that conversation.”

Macklemore also explained that he did not believe his support for Palestine was something he should receive praise for, describing it instead as a responsibility he feels compelled to continue.

He shared an Arabic phrase given to him by his brother Omar, “La shukra ala wajeb”, which he explained means there is no thanks for a duty.

“That’s what this has become for me and millions of others around the world. A duty. Not something deserving of praise or gratitude. Not brave. Human.”

The rapper concluded by saying that the wider discussion about his removal from the tour should not overshadow the people affected by the conflict.

“Who is winning the internet, who is getting canceled, who gets to play the stadium and who doesn’t, all of it becomes so small when held against what we are actually witnessing in Gaza and the West Bank.”

Macklemore ultimately said he did not need to complete the remaining dates of Sheeran’s tour to feel that his message had been heard.

“I didn’t need 10 shows from Ed. I needed 2. Two chances to stand in front of 90,000 people and say the words that somehow became too dangerous to say.”

He ended his statement with “Free Palestine”, before explaining that, despite losing his place on the tour, he believes the controversy has brought further attention to the cause he has been advocating for.

“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.”

The controversy continues to divide opinion, with some people criticising Macklemore’s decision to bring the issue into Sheeran’s concerts, while others have praised him for continuing to speak about Palestine despite the professional consequences. One supporter wrote:

“This is what happens when celebrities actually care about human life and not just a privileged human life! We love you Macklemore.”

Another commented:

“It is absolutely staggering to me that we live in a world where showing EMPATHY and support for  a persecuted group of people can be so offensive to a powerful minority…diabolical.”

A third person said:

“I love Ed but this whole “I don’t pick sides” is disappointing!! There is a clear moral line which at some point you must be able to stand for something! As a father, how can you not think about the thousands of children dying and not take a stance! Thank God for people like Macklemore! And forever, Free Palestine!”

Sheeran has not publicly responded to Macklemore's detailed account of their private conversations. The promoter, however, confirmed that venue concerns were behind the decision to remove Macklemore from the remaining dates.