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Macklemore Donates $1M to Palestinian Aid After Tour Fallout
Confirmed
In Short: Rapper Macklemore donated his $1 million earnings from Ed Sheeran's tour to Palestinian aid organizations.
Rapper Macklemore announced he would donate his $1 million earnings from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour to organizations providing humanitarian aid to Palestinians.
Macklemore's decision came after he was dropped from the tour following pro-Palestinian remarks he made during his opening act at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
The controversy began when Macklemore called for a 'free Palestine' and showed images of Gaza's devastation during his performances.
Ed Sheeran, who has been friends with Macklemore for 13 years, said the decision to remove Macklemore was made by the tour promoter, not by him.
Macklemore's comments drew criticism from Jewish groups, leading to pressure from venues to drop him from the tour.
In response to Macklemore's donation, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft revealed that Sheeran had already asked him to commit $2 million to match the rapper's donation for humanitarian aid in the region.
What's confirmed
- Macklemore announced that he is donating $1 million in earnings from Ed Sheeran's tour after he was dropped. (Redferns) "I will be donating the entire $1 million of my net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organizations working directly to support the Palestinian people," he continued.
What's still developing
- The announcements came hours after Sheeran said he would not be drawn into a public debate over Gaza, and stressed he was not responsible for Macklemore being removed from the tour.
- How being music's Mr Nice Guy contributed to biggest crisis of Ed Sheeran's career Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour after 'Free Palestine' speech "Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter's decision, it was not mine," Sheeran said on Instagram.
- Earlier this month, Macklemore - real name Benjamin Haggerty - called for a "free Palestine" and showed images of devastation in Gaza during two concerts in New Jersey.
- In his statement, external, Sheeran said he had spoken to the venues "at length all week to try and build a bridge" - but the promoters, Messina Touring Group, had ultimately pulled the plug.
- Ed Sheeran and Macklemore, pictured in 2014, have been friends for 13 years, the rapper said in his statement on Monday While the star said he was “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine" and that the "suffering and pain caused on both sides is a human tragedy", he also attempted to explain his decision to keep political issues at arm’s length.
- Sheeran added that, “as with all my support acts", Macklemore had been allowed to choose his own setlist.
- The Israeli American Council launched a petition demanding his removal from the tour; while campaign group StopAntisemitism said the musician had ambushed fans with propaganda - a claim that was amplified by pop star Pink, who reposted it on Instagram.
- After days of press coverage, Macklemore announced on Monday that he had been dropped from the line-up.