Macklemore says Robert Kraft, stadium owners fueled his ouster from Ed Sheeran’s tour over call to ‘free Palestine’

Macklemore says Robert Kraft stadium owners pushed for his removal from Ed Sheeran’s tour

Provpnadvice.com – Macklemore says Robert Kraft stadium owners helped fuel his removal from Ed Sheeran’s “Loop” tour after he voiced support for Palestine during a recent stadium performance. The Seattle rapper shared the allegation in an Instagram post, saying Ed Sheeran and his team decided he would no longer appear on the tour.

According to Macklemore, the dispute followed his Sept. 4 opening performance at MetLife Stadium, where he delivered a “free Palestine” message from the stage. His remarks drew criticism from pro-Israel groups, and singer Pink also faced backlash after amplifying calls for him to be removed from the tour.

Macklemore describes alleged venue pressure

Macklemore said Sheeran spoke with him the Monday after the MetLife Stadium show, as media attention intensified around his remarks and the reaction to them.

“Last Monday, in the middle of all the media attention surrounding Pink and what I said at MetLife, Ed told me that Robert Kraft called him. We were scheduled to play Gillette Stadium later this month, which is owned by the Kraft Group.”

He said Sheeran told him he would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium. Macklemore further alleged that Kraft had brought together other stadium owners who gave Sheeran an ultimatum: keep Macklemore on the tour or lose access to their venues.

“Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium. Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.”

Neither the Kraft Group, a representative for Sheeran nor Messina Touring Group had publicly responded to Macklemore’s account at the time of his statement.

Rapper says his “free Palestine” message had consequences

Macklemore said being dropped from the tour would be worthwhile if the outcome brought renewed public attention to Palestine. He framed the decision as part of a broader argument over political speech on major concert stages.

“If the words ‘free Palestine’ got me kicked off the stage, while turning the conversation back to Palestine, than it was the most successful tour I’ve ever been on.”

The Macklemore says Robert Kraft stadium dispute highlights the competing pressures involved in large-scale touring. Promoters, artists, venue operators and local organizers all play roles in stadium shows, and political statements by performers can rapidly become part of wider public debates.

Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza began nearly three years ago and has caused widespread destruction, a humanitarian emergency and the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians. Humanitarian and human rights organizations have accused Israel of genocide in Gaza, an allegation that remains heavily contested internationally.

Macklemore has been one of several entertainers who have publicly addressed Palestine during the conflict. His recent statement also renewed attention on a separate controversy from spring 2014, when he apologized for a performance costume that critics said used antisemitic imagery.

What is known about Macklemore’s exit from the tour?

Macklemore’s Instagram post is the public basis for the claim that Robert Kraft, the Kraft Group and other stadium owners influenced his removal. The organizations and people he named had not independently confirmed his account at the time of the statement.

FAQ

Why did Macklemore say he was removed from Ed Sheeran’s tour?

He said his support for Palestine and his “free Palestine” remarks at MetLife Stadium led to pressure that resulted in his departure from the tour.

What did Macklemore say about Gillette Stadium?

He said Sheeran told him that he would not be permitted to perform at Gillette Stadium, which is owned by the Kraft Group.

Did the Kraft Group or Ed Sheeran publicly confirm the allegations?

No public response from the Kraft Group, a Sheeran representative or Messina Touring Group had been reported at the time of Macklemore’s statement.