“He caved to people”: Ms. Rachel calls out Ed Sheeran for removing Macklemore from his tour over the latter’s “Free Palestine” speech

Ms Rachel has slammed Ed Sheeran after Macklemore was dropped from the remaining U.S. dates of Sheeran's Loop Tour due to the rapper's persistent public support for Palestine. She took to her Instagram to criticize the singer. She wrote:

“He caved to people.”

The children's entertainer, whose real name is Rachel Griffin-Accurso, addressed the subject in an Instagram post on September 14. In a statement reflecting on her personal advocacy for Palestinian rights, Ms. Rachel accused Sheeran of caving in to pressure over Macklemore's support for Palestine. She characterized the situation in Gaza as genocide, writing:

“Ed Sheeran had an opportunity [to] show that we won’t be bullied into punishing people for supporting Palestine. Instead he caved to people who refuse to accept what the world knows.”

In her post, Ms. Rachel characterized the ongoing conflict in Gaza as a “genocide” and called for people to speak out against it. Ms. Rachel also used her caption to highlight what she described as the humanitarian impact of the conflict on Palestinian children, arguing that their suffering should receive greater attention. She wrote:

“Treating some children’s lives as less worthy of outrage is racist. Silence during a genocide is not neutral.”

Her comments came after Macklemore announced that he had been dropped from Sheeran's remaining US tour dates. The decision came after he spoke at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium, calling for Palestine's liberation and stating that he wanted the words "Free Palestine" to reach people in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Why was Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran's tour?

In his Instagram statement, Macklemore detailed his own recollection of the circumstances leading up to his removal. He highlighted that Ed Sheeran was his friend and that they had known each other for 13 years, adding that the two had recently had painful conversations about the matter.

Macklemore stated that the decision was not motivated by anger toward Sheeran, but rather by a sense of obligation to explain what had occurred.

According to Macklemore, Sheeran informed him that Robert Kraft had contacted him over his scheduled concert at Gillette Stadium, which is owned by the Kraft Group. Macklemore claimed Sheeran told him that Kraft did not want him to perform there and that other stadium owners had joined in, giving Sheeran an ultimatum that Macklemore could not continue.

Messina Touring Group, the tour promoter, confirmed separately that the venues hosting the next dates would not allow the concerts to go with Macklemore on the list, citing concerns that his continuing participation could lead to the shows being canceled.

Kraft also addressed the subject, telling TMZ that he did not want Macklemore to play at Gillette Stadium because his participation would "cross the line." Kraft clarified that the decision was not intended to belittle Palestinian suffering or to dissuade people from advocating for Palestinians. He stated that supporting Palestinians while opposing Hamas, antisemitism, and hatred are not mutually exclusive.

Macklemore stated that he did not consider himself a victim of the circumstance, stating that the focus should instead be on Palestinians affected by the war:

"I am not a victim. Ed Sheeran is not a victim. The victims are the Palestinian people."

What did Ms. Rachel say about this?

Hours later, Ms. Rachel continued her criticism in another Instagram post, arguing that Sheeran’s decision could be viewed negatively in the future because of the circumstances surrounding Macklemore’s removal.

Ms. Rachel continued to advocate for Palestinian children in the caption, outlining the humanitarian conditions in Gaza and arguing that their rights and suffering should be prioritized. She also expressed her support for a free Palestine.

Her recent comments follow her previous public support for Palestinian children and criticism of the lack of attention she believes their situation has gotten.

Other artists react to the rapper's removal

Ms. Rachel wasn't the only public figure who criticized the decision.

Garbage posted a screenshot of a Rolling Stone article on Macklemore's removal and referred to the issue as "madness," calling the decision "so wildly unjust." The band defended Macklemore's remarks as neither violent nor nasty, arguing that criticism of Israel and support for Palestinian rights should not be automatically interpreted as antisemitic.

MUNA also showed support for Macklemore, stating that those who tried to silence conversation about the situation in Gaza were "utterly pathetic" and added, "Solidarity with @macklemore."

R&B artist Kehlani defended Macklemore in a comment on his Instagram post, stating she was honored to know him and expressed her support.

Macklemore, meanwhile, emphasized that his disagreement with Ed Sheeran did not necessarily mark the end of their friendship. He hailed Sheeran as a friend and "brother" and expressed confidence that they would continue to talk about the issue.

Ed Sheeran has not publicly responded to Macklemore's statement or the criticism that followed his removal. His U.S. Loop Tour is set to continue without Macklemore.

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