Ed Sheeran denied he personally kicked Macklemore off his upcoming tour dates after the rapper made anti-Israel remarks during a recent performance.
The British pop star, 35, insisted the decision to remove the “Thrift Shop” rapper from his future tour dates “was the promoter’s decision,” in a lengthy Instagram post Tuesday morning.
“Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me,” he wrote, adding that Patriots owner Robert Kraft was one of the people he had spoken to following the fallout.
“I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living,” Sheeran wrote.
Lefty hip-hop artist Macklemore, real name Benjamin Haggerty, 43, posted a lengthy statement on Monday alleging that Kraft, 85, called Sheeran to inform him that the rapper was not welcome at Sheeran’s upcoming tour date at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Kraft, who is Jewish, allegedly made the call after Macklemore went on an anti-Israel rant while opening for Sheeran at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey last week.
Macklemore called for a “free Palestine” while accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.
Sheeran said he respected “Macklemore’s strength of purpose to stand up and shout for what he believes,” but added that “Those who come to my shows do not expect a political forum,” in his Instagram post.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
