Macklemore has reportedly been removed from the remaining dates of Ed Sheeran’s LOOP Tour following controversy over political comments he made during performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The 43-year-old rapper, whose real name is Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, had been appearing as an opening act for Sheeran but will no longer continue with the tour, according to Rolling Stone.
The decision reportedly followed objections from several major US venues, which informed tour promoters that they would not permit Macklemore to perform on their stages.
With the dispute potentially threatening upcoming concerts and affecting hundreds of thousands of ticket holders, organizers reportedly decided to continue the tour without him.
MetLife Stadium Speech Ignites Controversy
The dispute emerged after Macklemore used his opening performances on September 4 and 5 to address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and express his support for Palestinians.
Appearing before the crowd at MetLife Stadium, he repeatedly chanted “Free Palestine” and said one of his motivations for joining the tour was the opportunity to deliver that message in stadiums across the United States.
He said he wanted Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank to know that they had not been forgotten.
Macklemore also argued that every person should have the same opportunity to experience freedom, safety and peace rather than violence.
Gaza Images Shown During ‘Hind’s Hall’ Performance
The political message continued when Macklemore performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall.”
Images showing destruction in Gaza were displayed on the stadium’s large screens as he performed.
Fan-recorded footage also showed Macklemore wearing a keffiyeh during part of his appearance.
The rapper has publicly supported Palestinians for years and has repeatedly criticised Israel’s military conduct in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
His decision to bring those views into one of the biggest concert tours in the United States, however, triggered a new level of controversy.
Rapper Also Targets ICE During Onstage Remarks
Macklemore’s comments extended beyond the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
During his speech, he described US Immigration and Customs Enforcement as a “terrorist organization” before also calling for freedom for people in Palestine, Cuba, Congo, Sudan and Iran.
His remarks quickly spread beyond the stadium as recordings circulated across social media.
Supporters praised Macklemore for using his platform to speak about humanitarian and political issues, while critics argued that audiences attending an Ed Sheeran concert should not have been confronted with political advocacy from an opening performer.
Petition Demands Macklemore’s Removal
The Israeli-American Council subsequently launched a petition seeking Macklemore’s removal from the remaining LOOP Tour dates.
The organization argued that the concerts were entertainment events rather than political rallies or activist gatherings.
Its criticism focused not on whether Macklemore was entitled to political opinions, but whether an opening act should use another artist’s international concert platform to promote a strongly political message.
It was not immediately clear how many people signed the petition.
Social Media Reaction Divides Concert Fans
Reaction from concertgoers and social media users was sharply divided.
Some defended Macklemore’s comments as legitimate advocacy for Palestinian civilians and praised his willingness to make a controversial statement before a huge audience.
Others accused the rapper of promoting anti-Israel or antisemitic rhetoric and argued that the performance created an uncomfortable environment for some Jewish concertgoers.
Macklemore subsequently appeared unwilling to retreat from his broader message.
After the controversy intensified, he shared footage from his MetLife Stadium speech and argued that wanting equal treatment for all human beings should not be considered controversial.
Pink Enters Debate After MetLife Performances
Singer Pink also became involved in the controversy after reposting an Instagram Story from the advocacy organization StopAntisemitism.
The original post strongly criticised Macklemore’s performance, arguing that Jewish fans had purchased tickets to see Sheeran rather than attend an event featuring anti-Israel political messaging.
It also demanded apologies and refunds for concertgoers who objected to what happened during the opening set.
Pink did not add her own written commentary when sharing the post, but the repost nevertheless attracted attention as criticism of Macklemore continued to spread.
Previous Antisemitism Controversy Resurfaces
The latest dispute has also renewed attention on a controversy involving Macklemore from 2014.
The rapper apologised at the time after appearing onstage in Seattle wearing a disguise that some observers said resembled an antisemitic caricature of a Jewish person.
Macklemore denied intending to portray a Jewish stereotype.
In his apology, he said he respected different cultures and would never deliberately demean people because of their identity.
He also maintained that he had not thought his costume looked Jewish, saying people had compared his appearance to several different figures and characters.
Venue Opposition Reportedly Threatened Wider Tour
The consequences of the latest controversy ultimately moved beyond online criticism and petitions.
According to Rolling Stone, multiple major US venues told tour promoters that Macklemore would not be allowed to perform at their locations.
The scale of that resistance reportedly presented organizers with a serious logistical problem.
Maintaining Macklemore as an opening act could potentially have jeopardized numerous dates on Sheeran’s tour, creating disruption for hundreds of thousands of fans.
Removing him reportedly allowed the LOOP Tour to proceed as scheduled.
Sheeran Tour Set to Continue Without Macklemore
Macklemore’s departure brings an abrupt end to his involvement in one of the year’s major concert tours following only two highly publicised performances at MetLife Stadium.
The episode also raises a wider debate about political expression during major entertainment events, particularly when supporting performers use another artist’s tour as a platform for activism.
Macklemore has made clear that his support for Palestinians is not new, and his response to the controversy suggests he remains committed to his position.
Representatives for Macklemore, Sheeran and Pink had not provided responses to the Daily Mail’s requests for comment at the time of the original report.
For Sheeran and his tour organizers, meanwhile, the immediate outcome is clear: the LOOP Tour will continue, but Macklemore will no longer be part of the remaining shows.
