American rapper Macklemore has drawn massive attention online after announcing that he was removed from the remaining dates of Ed Sheeran’s U.S. “Loop Tour” following his public support for Palestine.
The controversy intensified after Macklemore published a lengthy statement on Instagram explaining the decision and defending his position. The post rapidly spread across social media, surpassing 5 million likes and attracting hundreds of thousands of comments, reposts and shares.
Macklemore Says He Was Removed From Ed Sheeran’s Tour
In his statement, Macklemore said Ed Sheeran and his team had made the decision to remove him from the remainder of the tour.
The rapper also spoke about his long relationship with Sheeran, saying the two artists have known each other for roughly 13 years and had difficult conversations in the days leading up to the decision.
Reports said some venues scheduled to host upcoming concerts had raised objections to Macklemore remaining on the lineup, creating the possibility that shows involving hundreds of thousands of ticket holders could be affected.
Controversy Followed His “Free Palestine” Remarks
The dispute followed Macklemore’s appearance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4, where he performed as an opening act during Sheeran’s tour.
During the performance, Macklemore publicly expressed support for Palestinians and used the phrase “Free Palestine.”
His comments drew both widespread support and criticism online. Some Jewish and pro-Israel organizations condemned the remarks, while supporters praised the rapper for continuing to speak publicly about Gaza and the Palestinian territories.
“I Am Not a Victim”
Macklemore pushed back against portraying himself as the victim of the controversy.
In his Instagram statement, he said that neither he, Ed Sheeran nor Pink should be considered victims, arguing that attention should instead remain on Palestinians affected by the conflict.
The rapper emphasized that internationally successful artists still have careers, financial security and the ability to return safely to their families, regardless of the professional consequences they may face for speaking publicly.
Instagram Post Surpasses 5 Million Likes
The statement quickly became one of Macklemore’s most widely shared social media posts.
Screenshots circulating online showed the Instagram post reaching approximately 5.2 million likes, along with hundreds of thousands of comments, reposts and shares within roughly a day of publication.
Several social media accounts subsequently claimed that Macklemore had “made Instagram history” by reaching 5 million likes in less than 24 hours.
However, there is currently no publicly confirmed record from Instagram establishing the post as an official platform record. For that reason, claims that Macklemore definitively “broke an Instagram record” should be treated as unverified.
Macklemore Shows No Sign of Backing Down
Despite being removed from the tour, Macklemore indicated that he does not intend to retreat from his public position on Palestine.
The rapper has argued that criticism of the Israeli government should not automatically be equated with antisemitism and has repeatedly framed his position around Palestinian human rights and opposition to the war in Gaza.
Macklemore had reportedly been scheduled to appear at eight of the remaining 10 dates on Sheeran’s U.S. tour.
The dispute has now expanded beyond the two musicians, fueling a broader debate in the United States over celebrity activism, the Israel-Palestine conflict, freedom of expression and the professional consequences artists can face for taking political positions.
