Ed Sheeran Addresses Macklemore’s Removal From Tour in New Statement

On September 14, Macklemore was dropped from the opening slot on Ed Sheeran’s ongoing stadium tour over onstage remarks the rapper made at Sheeran’s New Jersey concerts, including a call for a “free Palestine.” Macklemore subsequently released a statement in which he blamed both Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft and Sheeran himself for booting him from the tour. Now, Sheeran has responded with a statement of his own, posted to his Instagram account.“Macklemore asked to join my tour last year and I agreed, because I respect him as an artist,” Sheeran wrote. “After Macklemore’s performances at my New Jersey shows, venues on my upcoming tour dates communicated that they would pull the shows if he was still supporting. I was informed that this stance was based on how Macklemore conveyed part of his message during his performance, rather than on everything that was said.” He described speaking with Kraft directly, but asserted that “Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine.”Sheeran also addressed his own commitment to political neutrality: “I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict. Just because I choose not to speak publi...