The Harsh Reality of Artists and Activism: Understanding the Macklemore and Ed Sheeran Controversy

By: Madisyn Falto

Photo taken from People Magazine, showing Macklemore (left) and Ed Sheeran (right). 

Ed Sheeran, a popular singer-songwriter found himself at the center of widespread controversy on Sept. 14, after Macklemore announced that he had been dropped from the remainder of Sheeran’s U.S. tour after remarks supporting Palestine. 

According to BBC News, Macklemore stood on stage to vocalize his support for a “Free Palestine” before performing his song, “Hind’s Hall.” The song debuted two years ago as a solidarity message in support of the growing protests on college campuses, specifically at Columbia University. He also referred to the increasing death toll as a genocide in Gaza and further emphasized his aversion to the acts done against Palestine. 

The Israeli American Council started a petition demanding Macklemore’s removal from the tour, eventually reaching the power of Robert Kraft, owner of Gillette Stadium, the tour date scheduled for two weeks after Macklemore’s comments.  

Kraft is an active member in the Jewish community and leads his own philanthropy where he funds and supports numerous programs bridging the relationship between Boston and Israel.

“Based on Macklemore’s recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran’s shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, we determined that his participation in the September 25th and 26th concerts at Gillette Stadium would cross that line," Kraft said in a statement. 

What follows from this point on is where the story gets dicey. 

Following the disagreement from Messina Touring Group, Sheeran’s concert promoters, Macklemore was dropped from the rest of the tour. Other venues said they would cancel Sheeran’s concerts if Macklemore performed. 

Macklemore paints a different picture. 

According to Macklemore’s Instagram post, Robert Kraft is responsible for swaying the voices of additional venue owners by convincing them. 

“If Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues,” said Macklemore’s Instagram post. 

Sheeran was placed in a difficult decision: does he stand up for Macklemore and voice his support for Palestine, or do nothing? Fans all over have been disagreeing, now the consequences of Sheeran’s silence caused the rest of his performers to drop out.

He is left with less than 10 shows on the remaining U.S. leg and complete uncertainty regarding fan turnout, support and his overall image with the general public. 

This raises an interesting question about the involvement of musicians in politics: should they stay out of it as a whole or use their platform for advocacy?