The Macklemore controversy rumbles on, with new reporting alleging that assurances were given to a group of NFL stadium owners that the rapper would not repeat any comments on the issue of Palestine during Macklemore’s second, and ultimately final, stint as the opening act on Ed Sheeran‘s tour.
In a story published in The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, the newspaper revealed more details of alleged communication between Sheeran, the promoters of Sheeran’s Loop Tour and NFL stadium owners, including New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft, after concerns were raised over Macklemore declaring “Free Palestine” on stage before performing “Hind’s Hall”, his pro-Palestinian song at the MetLife Stadium concert on Sept. 4.
After the incident, the WSJ reports that representatives of Kraft and other NFL stadium owners — including Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank and Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie — reached out to Loop Tour promoters Messina Touring Group about Macklemore’s overtly political comments. The owners were alleged to have been told that Macklemore, who was initially set to feature on 10 dates for Sheeran, would not bring up the issue of Palestine again during his performances.
At the Sept. 5 concert at the MetLife
At the Sept. 5 concert at the MetLife Stadium, however, the Grammy-winning artist said: “One of the reasons why I wanted to come on this tour was because I wanted to stand up here on stages and stadiums across America and say two words that are very near and dear to my heart: Free Palestine! I want to say this to all of my Jewish brothers and sisters. Criticism of Israel, criticism of apartheid, being against genocide in no way is a criticism of you.”
Macklemore’s comments on the second of the two Metlife Stadium concerts were picked up by news outlets after the Israeli-American Council petitioned for Sheeran to remove the rapper from his tour. Other pressure groups such as StopAntisemitism and Combat Antisemitism Movement as well as the singer Pink also called for the rapper’s removal.
The WSJ reports that behind the scenes, Kraft and Sheeran had a 40-minute phone call about the Macklemore controversy. Kraft is claimed to have told Sheeran that while he had sympathy for the Palestinian people, Macklemore’s comments in his estimation constituted hate speech, and was not a free speech issue.
After days of media scrutiny and with concerns
After days of media scrutiny and with concerns about the future viability of the Loop Tour without access to NFL stadiums, Messina released a statement on Sept. 14 that Macklemore was dropped from the remaining eight U.S. tour dates. In a statement to Rolling Stone, Messina said: “As the concert promoter for Ed Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour, we have been notified by venues on the upcoming U.S. tour dates that they will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup, which would result in the cancellation of the tour and impact hundreds of thousands of fans. After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates.”
After being dropped, Macklemore released a lengthy statement about the controversy. “Before I get into it, I want to say something that should be obvious. In this moment I think it matters. I am not a victim,” Macklemore wrote on Instagram. “Ed Sheeran is not a victim. Pink is not a victim. We have careers, money, opportunities, safety and audiences around the world. Whatever consequences any of us face for what we say, we get to go home to our families. The victims are the Palestinian people.”
Sheeran also released a lengthy statement after Macklemore’s removal. “After Macklemore’s performances at my New Jersey shows, venues on my upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting. I was informed that this stance was based on how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performance, rather than on everything that was said. I spoke with the venues at length all week to try and build a bridge. One of those people was Robert Kraft. I was also involved in direct talks with promoters along with activists on both sides to try and find a mutual resolution for all, but the venue’s and promoter’s decision was final.“
Sheeran then reiterated, Macklemore coming off tour
Sheeran then reiterated, “Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine. Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me.”
Macklemore’s removal set off a fire storm, with Sheeran’s other support acts Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and his backing band Beoga all pulling out of the remaining tour dates in solidarity with the “Thrift Store” rapper.
On Sept. 16, Macklemore announced that he would donate his earnings from the Loop Tour, approximately $1 million, to six organizations supporting Palestinians and called on Kraft to match his donation. Kraft responded by donating $2 million.
