A petition has been launched calling for the removal of Macklemore from Ed Sheeran’s remaining tour dates following the rapper’s onstage calls for a ‘Free Palestine’ message during Sheeran’s concerts at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Friday and Saturday.
The Israeli-American Council (IAC) initiated the petition on Sunday, asserting that Macklemore’s political statements during his performances as Sheeran’s opening act violated the intended purpose of the concerts. The petition does not specify how many signatures have been collected. Representatives for both Macklemore and Sheeran have not responded to requests for comment.
During his Friday and Saturday performances, Macklemore wore a keffiyeh and performed his song ‘Hind’s Hall’, which includes footage of Gaza projected behind him on the venue’s Jumbotron. The song, released in 2024, criticizes actions in Gaza, and proceeds from the track are donated to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). Macklemore also delivered a speech during his set, stating, ‘I believe that every human being walking on this earth deserves exactly the same freedom, to know safety and peace before knowing the sounds of violence.’
He further referred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as a ‘terrorist organization’ and chanted ‘Free Palestine,’ ‘Free Cuba, Congo, Sudan and Iran.’
Reactions to Macklemore’s statements
Criticism of Macklemore’s remarks came from multiple quarters. Michael Rapaport, a Jewish actor and outspoken pro-Israel advocate, took to X (formerly Twitter) to call Macklemore a ‘clown’ and questioned Sheeran’s decision to include him as an opening act. Rapaport wrote, ‘Imagine going to see Ed Sheeran & this absolute no talent none singer non rapping non dancing clown Macklemore is opening.’ He also reposted articles about the backlash, adding, ‘Calling this dude a “Rapper” is disrespectful to any actual “Rapper.”’
Other audience members and online commentators demanded refunds for their tickets, describing Macklemore’s remarks as an ‘anti-American, pro-Hamas rant.’ The StopAntisemitism organization also posted a message in response to the incident, though specific details of their statement were not provided in the available reporting.
Tour logistics and Macklemore’s history of activism
Macklemore served as the opening act for Sheeran’s ‘Loop Tour’ at MetLife Stadium, performing before Sheeran’s headlining sets. Sheeran’s representatives have not publicly addressed the controversy. Macklemore has a history of political activism, including prior public statements in support of Palestinians and criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and the West Bank. His 2024 song ‘Hind’s Hall’ references the pro-Palestine protests at Columbia University, and the track’s proceeds support humanitarian efforts through UNRWA.
The IAC’s statement emphasized that while individuals have the right to hold political views, the use of a global concert platform for a one-sided political agenda raised concerns. The organization argued that Macklemore’s messaging relied on selective imagery and disputed claims presented as fact without broader context. The IAC also called for concert venues to establish boundaries regarding political expressions during performances to prevent similar incidents in the future.