Robert Kraft Accused of Leading Campaign to Remove Macklemore From Ed Sheeran Tour
Rapper Macklemore says billionaire businessman Robert Kraft played a central role in his removal from Ed Sheeran’s US tour after the rapper publicly expressed support for Palestine.
Macklemore said he was told by Sheeran that Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium, opposed his participation and contacted other stadium owners. According to Macklemore, venue owners warned that Sheeran’s concerts could be cancelled if he remained on the tour.
The controversy followed Macklemore’s September 4 performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, where he said “Free Palestine” and spoke about Palestinian suffering in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Tour promoter Messina Touring Group confirmed that several venues would not allow concerts to proceed with Macklemore on the lineup. He was subsequently removed from the remaining US shows.
Kraft confirmed that he was involved in the decision, but said it was based on what he described as Macklemore’s recent stage comments and a broader history of rhetoric and imagery he considers offensive to the Jewish community. Kraft said the decision was not intended to deny Palestinians the right to advocate for their rights.
Sheeran later said removing Macklemore was not his decision, explaining that promoters and venues had made the decision and that he had tried to resolve the dispute. The controversy has since intensified, with several supporting acts withdrawing from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.
