Ed Sheeran performed at Robert Kraft’s wedding and described billionaire as “super sweet” four years before dropping Macklemore from tour

Macklemore has been dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour. The Can't Hold Us rapper has made multiple headlines after sharing his claims that New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft organized a boycott among stadium owners over his remarks in support of Palestinians. That being said, Sheeran and Kraft go back further than most people realize.

As per a report shared by People, the thirty-five-year-old performed live at Kraft's October 2022 wedding to Dana Blumberg. Sheeran later opened up about the night on SiriusXM's The Morning Mash Up, sharing that it was actually the first time he had ever performed "Perfect" for a couple's first dance.

"Well, it was mad 'cause it was 'Perfect,' and 'Perfect's the one that everyone always wants for their first dance, but I've never done it before. So I'm sort of looking at them dancing and I'm like, 'Oh, this is the first time I've actually done this for a first dance,'" he told the hosts.

"You would just assume that I've done it lots of times," he added.

Sheeran also reflected on Gillette Stadium being the first US stadium he ever played, before describing Robert Kraft as

"super sweet."

Ed Sheeran revealed why he said yes to performing at Kraft's wedding:

Sheeran opened up to the Morning Mash Up hosts about why the Kraft wedding was an exception to his usual rule.

"I don't really play a lot of weddings," he said.

"I'm always either playing a gig on a Saturday or I'm with my family on a Saturday, but [Kraft's wedding] was on a Friday night and here we are," he added.

Host Ryan Sampson then asked about the craziest things Ed Sheeran had been offered in exchange for a wedding performance, to which he replied,

"You name it."

"You know, a big fee and a plane to take you there and blah, blah, blah. It's not what I want to do," he added.

As per a report shared by People, Ed Sheeran also sang a "Candle in the Wind" duet with Elton John at the New York City event. Meek Mill attended as well, performing a song he wrote for the couple, with Sheeran on backup vocals.

Macklemore alleges Kraft gave Ed Sheeran an ultimatum over his spot on the tour:

Macklemore took to Instagram on Monday with a lengthy statement, alleging that Kraft had personally called Ed Sheeran to make clear the rapper was not welcome at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, where the tour was scheduled to perform.

"Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues," Macklemore wrote.

As per a statement provided to NBC News, Kraft said the decision followed comments Macklemore made at the tour's New Jersey shows, as well as what Kraft described as a broader history of remarks he believed had been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community. Kraft also made clear his position on the wider conflict, adding that

"I would welcome the opportunity to sit down with Macklemore and discuss the facts, because ultimately our goal is the same — peace for all people, an end to suffering, and an end to all hate."

He added that the decision was not about stifling Palestinian advocacy, placing blame instead on Hamas, which the United States, Israel and the European Union have designated as a terrorist organization, for actions that had caused suffering for Palestinians and Israelis alike.

"Much of my time and attention for the last decade has been focused on the fight against antisemitism and hate of all kinds, and I feel a responsibility to stand up when I believe that line has been crossed," Kraft said.

Macklemore reveals he and Ed Sheeran reached a place of fundamental disagreement after difficult conversations:

Macklemore and Sheeran spent the past week having what Macklemore called "difficult" conversations, which ultimately ended in a place of "fundamental disagreement."

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"He told me that the words 'Free Palestine' and the image of the Palestinian flags were hurtful to a lot of people he spoke with," Macklemore wrote.

As per Macklemore's account, Sheeran's desire to remain an apolitical public figure was something he was not able to move past, a situation which ultimately proved to be the breaking point between the two.

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