Key facts
- Macklemore will donate his $1 million net earnings from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour to six organizations supporting Palestinian people.
- Macklemore challenged Robert Kraft to match his donation.
- Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, allegedly influenced Ed Sheeran to remove Macklemore from the tour.
- Macklemore's removal followed his onstage comments supporting Palestine.
- Four other opening acts withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.
- Colin Kaepernick criticized Kraft and NFL owners for alleged collusion.
Rapper Macklemore announced on Wednesday that he will donate his entire $1 million salary from opening for Ed Sheeran's Loop tour to organizations supporting Palestinian people and relief efforts in Gaza. This decision follows his removal from the tour after making onstage comments in support of Palestine. Macklemore also issued a challenge to Robert Kraft, the billionaire owner of the New England Patriots and a significant donor to Israel, to match his donation. "Palestinian lives are worth protecting. A Palestinian life is no less valuable than any other life on this earth," Macklemore stated on Instagram. During a September 4 concert at MetLife Stadium, Macklemore voiced his desire for a "free Palestine," which led to a petition from the Israeli American Council demanding his removal. The following day, he addressed Jewish audience members, clarifying that criticism of Israel or apartheid is not a criticism of them, and that his message is for peace and equality. Ed Sheeran explained in a statement that venue owners, including Kraft, informed him that the tour could not proceed at their stadiums if Macklemore continued as an opener. In response, Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Boega, and Lukas Graham, all opening acts, withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore and Palestine. Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick criticized Kraft and other NFL stadium owners, alleging they colluded to remove Macklemore, drawing parallels to his own experience with the NFL. Kaepernick suggested that owners prioritize protecting their interests, power, and money over allowing such protests.