Macklemore pledges $1M in tour earnings to Palestinian relief after being dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour. Get the full story and Kraft update!
Grammy-winning rapper Macklemore has announced that he is donating his entire $1 million net earnings from Ed Sheeran's North American Loop Tour to six organizations providing aid to Palestinians. The decision comes in the wake of his sudden removal from the stadium circuit following on-stage political statements made during a September 4 performance at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium. During his opening set, Macklemore performed his protest anthem Hind's Hall and called for a "Free Palestine," prompting a venue-led boycott spearheaded by New England Patriots owner and Gillette Stadium operator Robert Kraft.
Why Was Macklemore Removed From Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour?
Macklemore's departure from the high-profile tour followed mounting pressure from stadium operators and venue ownership groups.
- The On-Stage Catalyst: During his set at MetLife Stadium, Macklemore delivered a two-minute speech calling for an end to military occupation and performed Hind's Hall, a song honoring Palestinian victims and student protesters.
- Venue Pressure and Boycotts: Tour promoter Messina Touring Group confirmed that multiple venues, led by Robert Kraft's Gillette Stadium, refused to host the show if Macklemore remained on the bill.
- Sheeran's Neutrality Stance: Ed Sheeran clarified that removing the opener was a logistical necessity enforced by venue hosts, explaining his desire to keep his stadium tour a neutral sanctuary for all fans. The move triggered secondary withdrawals from scheduled openers, including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Irish band Beoga.
How Did Robert Kraft and Ed Sheeran Respond to Macklemore's Challenge?
In his public statement, Macklemore challenged Robert Kraft to match his $1 million donation, urging that "Palestinian lives are worth protecting" regardless of political disagreements.
- Shifting the Narrative: Macklemore emphasized that the dispute should not center around artists, insisting that international focus remain on the humanitarian situation facing civilians in Gaza.
- Kraft and Sheeran's $2M Counter-Pledge: In an official statement issued through Gillette Stadium, Kraft revealed that prior to Macklemore's public challenge, Ed Sheeran had contacted him to joint-fund humanitarian relief. Both Kraft and Sheeran committed $2 million each toward regional aid efforts.
- Rebuilding Bridges: Kraft cited his long-standing work bringing Israeli and Palestinian youth together for economic initiatives, maintaining that his decision regarding the concert was driven by concerns over rhetoric rather than a denial of Palestinian suffering.
Track tour dates and official statements on the Ed Sheeran Official Website.