BOSTON (VINnews) — BOSTON — New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has responded to rapper Macklemore after the performer accused him of leading an effort to remove him from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour over his pro-Palestinian statements.
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Kraft confirmed to TMZ that he did not want Macklemore performing at Gillette Stadium, where Sheeran is scheduled to perform Sept. 25 and 26. Kraft said Macklemore’s onstage rhetoric and imagery crossed a line and accused the rapper of using language and imagery that he said was antisemitic and offensive to Jews.
Macklemore said Monday that Sheeran told him Kraft had called and said he would not allow Macklemore to perform at Gillette Stadium. Macklemore also claimed Kraft rallied other stadium owners and that they gave Sheeran an ultimatum: If Macklemore remained on the tour, Sheeran would not be allowed to perform at their venues.
Kraft’s response confirms his opposition to Macklemore appearing at Gillette but does not independently confirm Macklemore’s broader claim that Kraft organized a group of stadium owners to force him off the tour.
Messina Touring Group, the promoter of Sheeran’s U.S. tour, confirmed that Macklemore would no longer perform on the remaining dates after being informed that multiple venues would not allow concerts with him on the lineup. The promoter said keeping him on the tour could have resulted in cancellations affecting hundreds of thousands of fans.
The dispute follows Macklemore’s Sept. 4 appearance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where he told the crowd “Free Palestine” and performed his protest song “Hind’s Hall,” while images depicting destruction in Gaza were shown. His comments prompted criticism from Jewish and pro-Israel groups, including the Israeli-American Council and StopAntisemitism.
Macklemore defended his statements in a lengthy social media post Monday, saying he would continue speaking about Palestinians and accusing the music industry of attempting to silence his views.
Kraft, who is Jewish and has been a prominent supporter of Holocaust education and combating antisemitism, said his objection was directed at Macklemore’s public statements and performance content.
Sheeran has not publicly commented on Kraft’s response. Macklemore and Sheeran have been friends for more than a decade.
It’s funny how had not a concern about Assad’s gassing of his own people, the Russian onslaught of Ukranians, the Iranians and their senseless killing etc. The only thing that gets this weirdo is Palestinians. He’s a blasted antiSemite.
Kraft is correct; hit these momzarim in the pocketbook, where it hurts. They can scream all that they want to, but they will not be booked for future tours. When Iran was murdering its citizens in the streets, their was not an iota of protests from them, or their friends.