ONE OK ROCK’s Taka hit by backlash after defending Ed Sheeran amid Macklemore–Palestine controversy

Taka, the lead vocalist of popular Japanese band ONE OK ROCK, is currently receiving a significant amount of backlash on social media platforms. This is due to his public support of Ed Sheeran, a fellow musician currently embroiled in controversy. The controversy stems from Sheeran's decision to remove rapper Macklemore from his Loop Tour line-up. This move was widely interpreted as a response to Macklemore's vocal support for Palestine.

The situation escalated when Taka left a supportive comment on Sheeran's Instagram post regarding his Philadelphia show on September 19. In the comment, Taka praised Sheeran's "courage" in the face of criticism, stating that he sees Sheeran as a "mirror". The comment did not go unnoticed and immediately sparked anger among fans of ONE OK ROCK.

Many of these fans accused Taka of being insensitive to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and of defending Sheeran's decision to drop Macklemore. This decision had already sparked a debate within the music industry.

In response to the mounting criticism, Taka issued an apology. He stated that his comment was made out of personal friendship with Sheeran rather than a political alignment. He further clarified that he opposes war and violence against civilians and respects Macklemore's right to express his political views. He also defended Sheeran's decision, citing his responsibilities as an artist.

Despite his clarifications, the backlash continues. Fans are still debating whether Taka's defense of Sheeran reflects misplaced loyalty or a broader misunderstanding of the political and humanitarian stakes involved.