Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran's MetLife Stadium shows after chanting "Free Palestine"
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The rapper was taken off the second night of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour at MetLife Stadium after stadium owners said they had been assured he would not make political statements.
Macklemore was asked to leave the second night of Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour at MetLife Stadium after he again shouted "Free Palestine" from the stage. Concert promoters had told several NFL team owners that the rapper would not repeat his anti-Israel remarks following an earlier outburst at the September 4 show. The owners, including New England Patriots chairman Robert Kraft and other franchise leaders, warned that the tour could be barred from their venues if Macklemore continued the political messaging, describing it as hate speech.
During the first MetLife performance, the 43-year-old rapper, wearing a keffiyeh, delivered a monologue calling for freedom for Palestine, Lebanon, Cuba, Congo, Sudan and other regions, and then performed a song referencing recent campus protests. The following night he repeated the chant and cited the Columbia University encampment as inspiration.
Promoter Messina Touring Group reportedly faced pressure from the owners of venues such as Lucas Oil Stadium, AT&T Stadium and Raymond James Stadium to remove Macklemore or risk cancellation of Sheeran's concerts. Kraft later told Sheeran in a phone call that Macklemore would not be allowed to perform at Gillette Stadium and characterized his remarks as hate speech rather than protected speech.
Sheeran said his contract with Macklemore was with the promoter, not himself, and that he had tried to mediate between the parties. He added that he would not abandon fans or the touring crew. Kraft subsequently said he would welcome a meeting with the rapper and announced a $2 million donation to Palestinian relief, while Macklemore pledged $1 million of his tour earnings to the same cause.
Sheeran's tour will continue with scheduled shows in Philadelphia and at Gillette Stadium later in September.