American Grammy Award-winning rapper Macklemore has announced a new “Free Palestine Tour” following his removal from Ed Sheeran’s United States tour after publicly expressing support for Palestinians.
The rapper announced on Thursday that he will perform in Dublin, Paris and London in late October, with additional shows in the United States currently being organised.
Macklemore said other musicians would join him on the tour, with their names to be announced later. He also pledged that all proceeds from the tour would be donated to organisations supporting Palestinians and the wider movement.
The 43-year-old rapper said recent events had demonstrated a growing public interest in Palestinian rights and called on artists to use their platforms to address political and humanitarian issues.
“Being apolitical during a genocide doesn’t work anymore,” Macklemore said, adding that artists should educate themselves, engage with their communities and use their platforms for more than entertainment.
Macklemore has repeatedly expressed support for Palestine and criticised Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
On September 4, while performing at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey as one of Sheeran’s opening acts, he told the audience: “Free Palestine.” He said his message was about peace and ensuring that all people were treated with dignity, respect and equality.
Shortly afterwards, Macklemore announced that he had been removed from Sheeran’s tour.
Robert Kraft, the owner of Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, later confirmed that Macklemore would not perform at the venue. Kraft cited what he described as the rapper’s previous history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.
Macklemore has alleged that Kraft pressured stadium owners involved in Sheeran’s tour to prevent him from performing and that the tour would not proceed unless he was removed. Neither Kraft nor Sheeran has publicly commented on those allegations.
Macklemore’s new tour is expected to focus on raising awareness and financial support for Palestinian causes.
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