Macklemore will donate his entire $1 million net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organizations supporting Palestinians, the rapper announced on Instagram following his removal from the tour’s remaining U.S. dates.
In a statement shared after four other supporting acts withdrew from the tour, Macklemore said he wanted to redirect attention away from the controversy surrounding his exit and toward Palestinians affected by the conflict. He also challenged Robert Kraft, who opposed Macklemore’s appearance at Gillette Stadium, to match the donation.
“With everything that has happened over the last 48 hours, I want to bring the conversation back to where it belongs,” Macklemore wrote, before announcing that he would donate “the entire $1 million” of his net earnings from the tour. He said the money would go to six organizations working directly to support Palestinians and invited Kraft to make an equal contribution.
Macklemore’s announcement comes one day after Ed Sheeran addressed his removal from the Loop Tour. The rapper had performed at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5, where he performed “Hind’s Hall,” displayed Palestinian imagery and led the crowd in chants of “Free Palestine.”
Following those performances, several venues scheduled to host the tour’s remaining U.S. stadium dates reportedly objected to Macklemore remaining on the bill. Macklemore said Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, told Sheeran he would not allow the rapper to perform at Gillette Stadium and had rallied other stadium owners around the issue.
Ed Sheeran subsequently said the decision was made by the promoter, Messina Touring Group, rather than by him. He explained that Macklemore’s contract was with the promoter and said venues had communicated that they would pull the shows if he remained part of the lineup. Sheeran also said he had spoken with venues, promoters and activists on opposing sides while attempting to find a solution.
The dispute then expanded when Aaron Rowe, Finneas, Lukas Graham and Beoga announced on September 15 that they were withdrawing from the remaining U.S. dates in solidarity with Macklemore. Beoga, who have performed with Sheeran for more than a decade, also served as his touring band, making their departure a particularly significant change to the stadium shows.
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