Macklemore, known for the hit “Thrift Shop,” is facing backlash from stadium owners after his pro-Palestinian speeches during Ed Sheeran’s U.S. stadium tour. He was removed from the tour following multiple venues’ refusal to host him. The controversy follows his performances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he wore a keffiyeh and showed footage of Gaza’s destruction. He performed “Hind’s Hall,” leading the crowd in “Free Palestine” chants.
The fallout intensified when Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, barred Macklemore from Gillette Stadium. Kraft cited the rapper’s stage behavior and accused him of promoting anti-Semitic rhetoric. He stated, “Gillette Stadium has a longstanding commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all guests and ensuring that events held at our venue do not provide a platform for hate speech.” Kraft expressed deep concern over Macklemore’s recent actions, his stage material, and his history perceived as offensive to the Jewish community.
Due to pressure from stadium owners, Messina Touring Group announced Macklemore’s removal from the remaining tour dates. Eight of the ten scheduled stops were NFL stadiums. Kraft, who founded the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism in 2019, offered to discuss the issues with Macklemore, emphasizing peace and combating hate. Kraft clarified that his decision was not about ignoring Palestinians’ suffering but about ensuring that advocacy doesn’t undermine the Jewish community or overlook Hamas’s actions.
Macklemore’s controversial past includes a 2014 performance in Seattle, where his costume sparked accusations of anti-Jewish imagery. He had denied any intention of invoking historical caricatures. Critics have recently condemned his focus on Israel, ignoring Hamas’s October 2023 attacks. Following his removal, Macklemore blamed venue operators and Kraft, rejecting the depiction of his comments as hate speech. He accepted the consequences as a price for his advocacy.