It did not take long for Macklemore to speak out. After he was axed from Ed Sheeran's tour for his recent comments.
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During a show at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium earlier this month, Macklemore voiced his support for Gaza. Amid their war with Israel. This caused him to be the subject of backlash. After it was officially announced that the Can't Hold Us artist had been nixed from the tour, Macklemore made a shocking revelation. He noted the New England Patriots owner, Robert Kraft, was one of the biggest reasons that he was removed from Sheeran's tour.
Macklemore Says Pats Owner Was Reason He Was Axed From Tour
Kraft reportedly told Sheeran that he would not allow Macklemore to perform in Boston's Gillette Stadium. Because of his pro-Palestinian comments.
"Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium," Macklemore wrote as caught by Rolling Stone. "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."
Macklemore acknowledged that his pro-Palestinian comments put Sheeran in a compromising position. His options were essentially to remove Macklemore from the tour or cancel the tour altogether.
"His typical apolitical stance was being challenged in a way it never had been before," Macklemore added. "He told me that the words 'Free Palestine' and the image of the Palestinian flag were hurtful to a lot of people he spoke with."
Macklemore also says that Sheeran told him that he did not want to "take sides," amid the conflict.
But he also says that he believes there is no such thing as remaining Switzerland when lives are at stake.
"There is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed. When one side has the bombs and bottomless financial and military support from America, refusing to take a side doesn't leave you in the middle," he added.
At the time of writing, Sheeran has not responded to the comments made by Macklemore.
Stay tuned for more updates.
