Artists are voicing support for embattled rapper Macklemore, with some of the more forceful statements coming from Garbage, Kneecap, and children’s entertainer Ms. Rachel.
After the MC’s “Free Palestine” comments on September 4th and 5th at MetLife stadium in New Jersey, a group of American stadium owners succeeded in removing Macklemore as an opening act from Ed Sheeran’s tour.
Sheeran “caved to people who refuse to accept what the world knows,” Ms. Rachel wrote, also noting that an estimated 20,000 Palestinian children have been killed since the conflict escalated in 2023.
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“Can I remind everyone that nothing Macklemore actually said was violent or hateful or remotely radical,” Garbage posted. “May I remind everyone that Israeli scholars and world renowned experts on genocide themselves are in agreement that what is being done to the Palestinians is cruel and unlawful.”
“All love and solidarity to Macklemore,” Kneecap said. “Free Palestine.” Others including Kehlani, Zara Larsson, PinkPantheress, Greta Thunberg posted hearts or words of encouragement. Check out a selection of posts below.
For his part, Sheeran said in a statement released Tuesday that Macklemore’s removal was a decision made by promoters and venues, not by him, and that he made efforts to find a resolution to keep Macklemore on the tour. He also addressed why he has chosen to keep his views on Palestine private: “I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict,” he said. “Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care. Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way.”
