Macklemore has been removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour after his statements on stage calling to ‘Free Palestine’.
The Downtown rapper, 43, was opening for Ed, 35, on his US leg of the Loop Tour when he spoke out in support of Palestinians.
He later shared a video of the moment with the caption: ‘Wanting all humans to be treated equal should never be controversial’.
Singer Pink then hit out at him, calling his speech – in which he condemned Israel’s military action in Gaza – ‘awful’ and ‘antisemitic’.
Macklemore has since said the speech was not an attack on the Jewish community but due to backlash, has now been dropped from the tour.
Messina Touring Group, promoter of the U.S. leg, confirmed his removal after ‘disccusions with stakeholders’.
They said in a statement: ‘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.’
The Thrift Shop rapper was set to appear at eight of Ed’s remaining 10 dates, which kick off again on Friday, September 19, in Philadelphia.
Rolling Stone reported that the venues that allegedly objected included: Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia; Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts; Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia; Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis; Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina; AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas; and Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
While performing in New York City earlier this month, he shouted ‘Free Palestine’ as well as singing protest song Hinds Hall while Gaza images were displayed.
In his full speech, Macklemore said: ‘I’ve been trying to figure out a way to say this all day. 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 said, Free Palestine. I want those words to be loud and clear, so the people from Gaza, all the way to the occupied West Bank, know that we have not forgotten them.
‘And this next song was inspired by the bravery of Columbia University students who led an encampment movement that mobilised the entire world; open up hearts, myself included, so thank you to those students that risked their diplomas, that risked their tuition, that risked their scholarships, that stood up and said, no. CUAD students, Students for Justice in Palestine, and Jewish Voices for Peace. Thank you, guys.
‘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. My message is for peace; love for all human beings to be treated with dignity, respect, and equality.
‘So I say Free Palestine, I say Free Lebanon, I say Free Cuba, I say Free Congo, Free Sudan, I say Free all people in America living in fear of this terrorist organisation, ICE. None of us will be free until we are all free.’
Metro has contacted reps for Ed Sheeran and Macklemore for comment.