{
  "id": 7428578,
  "title": "Ms. Rachel, Kehlani, MUNA & More Push Back After Macklemore’s Removal From Ed Sheeran Tour: ‘We All Need to Speak On It’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ms-rachel-kehlani-muna-more-push-back-after-macklemores-removal-from",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-15T00:00:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Billboard",
    "slug": "billboard",
    "url": "https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/macklemore-ed-sheeran-tour-reaction-garbage-ms-rachel-muna-1236340044/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A growing roster of artists and public figures have voiced their disapproval of Macklemore's removal from Ed Sheeran's U.S. tour following his vocal support for Palestinians. With Macklemore's repeated calls for \"Free Palestine\" during his performance at MetLife Stadium earlier this month, a petition was launched demanding his exclusion from the remainder of the Loop Tour. The promoter of the tour, Messina Touring Group, confirmed that affected venues would not allow Macklemore to perform, fearing potential cancellations impacting hundreds of thousands of fans. Macklemore contested the decision in his Instagram post, emphasizing that the focus should be on the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Ms. Rachel, a popular children's educator, echoed the sentiment, arguing that artists should not be silenced for supporting Palestinians. She highlighted the plight of children affected by the conflict, stating that their lives should not be treated as less worthy of outrage. Garbage, the iconic rock band, also responded, calling the decision \"so wildly unjust\" and defending Macklemore's comments. MUNA and Kehlani, R&B star, also expressed their solidarity with Macklemore, condemning the move to silence free speech surrounding the genocide in Gaza. Despite his disagreement with Sheeran, Macklemore insists that their 13-year friendship remains intact.",
  "summary": "Artists & public figures are speaking out after Macklemore was removed from Sheeran's Loop Tour following his onstage call to \"Free Palestine.\"",
  "key_points": [
    "Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran's U.S. tour due to support for Palestinians.",
    "Artists like Ms. Rachel, Garbage, MUNA, and Kehlani condemn decision.",
    "Macklemore maintains friendship with Sheeran despite controversy."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}