Rapper Macklemore has announced a new tour dedicated to the Palestinian cause, days after being dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour lineup. The artist, born Benjamin Haggerty, said the backlash he faced reflects a broader effort by the wealthy to silence certain political voices.
“What happened to me is bigger than one artist or one stage,” he wrote on X. “When the billionaire class can decide which voices are allowed on stage and which are too dangerous to hear, everyone should be paying attention.” He added, “So, we’re going on tour. All proceeds will benefit organizations supporting the Palestinian people and movement.”
The announcement comes after Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran's Loop tour earlier this month, following his pro-Palestine statements at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. His remarks, which included a call to “free Palestine,” drew criticism from some groups, including New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who called for his removal. Macklemore later posted a video of his comments, writing, “Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial.”
In the aftermath, several supporting acts, including Finneas, pulled out of the tour, and Sheeran issued a statement explaining that venues threatened to cancel if Macklemore stayed. Sheeran clarified, “Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision; it was not mine. Macklemore’s contract with the tour was with the promoter, not with me.”
Sheeran also said he prefers to keep his platform non-political, noting his audience includes young people who don’t expect a political forum. However, he later addressed the issue at a concert in Philadelphia, describing the October 7 attack as “horrific” and the situation in Gaza as “catastrophic and unjustifiable.” He expressed a desire to contribute to relief efforts, saying, “I am already speaking with people across the spectrum to work out how to make a contribution that helps victims of these terrible times.”
Macklemore's new tour, billed as the “Macklemore and Friends Free Palestine Tour,” will begin in Dublin on October 26, followed by Paris on October 29 and London on October 30. Additional dates have not yet been announced.
The controversy has also drawn attention to the role of stadium owners like Kraft, whom Macklemore has accused of pressuring promoters. Macklemore has claimed Kraft-led stadium owners forced his exit, and he has pressed Kraft to match his Gaza aid donation.
Meanwhile, Sheeran has broken his political silence, and his comments have been widely covered. Sheeran's remarks on Gaza have triggered debate among fans and observers, as the conflict continues to polarize public opinion.
