{
  "id": 7579296,
  "title": "Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour after ‘free Palestine’ speech",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/macklemore-dropped-from-ed-sheeran-tour-after-free-palestine-speech-7579296",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-15T15:34:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/lifestyle/entertainment/celebrity-news/macklemore-dropped-from-ed-sheeran-tour-after-free-palestine-speech/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran's US tour after making a \"free Palestine\" statement during a performance at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The rapper's comments sparked outrage, leading to accusations of antisemitism and calls for his removal. Stadium owners informed tour organizers that they would not allow Macklemore to perform on the remaining dates, resulting in the cancellation of the tour and affecting hundreds of thousands of fans. Macklemore expressed hope that the decision would not damage his friendship with Sheeran, who was facing a difficult political stance. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has intensified since Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, resulting in the deaths of over 73,000 people according to Hamas-run health authority figures, which the UN considers reliable.",
  "summary": "Macklemore said on Instagram he hoped the decision would not affect his relationship with his \"friend\" Sheeran, who he said was in a difficult position.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 10,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Rolling Stone",
        "title": "Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran Tour After Onstage ‘Free Palestine’ Statements",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/macklemore-dropped-from-ed-sheeran-tour-after-onstage-free-palestine",
        "published": "2026-09-14T14:01:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Consequence",
        "title": "Macklemore Dropped as Opener on Ed Sheeran’s Tour Over Free Palestine Comments",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/macklemore-dropped-as-opener-on-ed-sheerans-tour-over-free-palestine",
        "published": "2026-09-14T14:15:49.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Variety",
        "title": "Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran Tour After ‘Free Palestine’ Speech",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/macklemore-dropped-from-ed-sheeran-tour-after-free-palestine-speech",
        "published": "2026-09-14T14:19:48.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "TheWrap",
        "title": "Macklemore Removed From Ed Sheeran Tour Following ‘Free Palestine’ Messaging",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/macklemore-removed-from-ed-sheeran-tour-following-free-palestine",
        "published": "2026-09-14T14:39:27.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Billboard",
        "title": "Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran Tour Over His ‘Free Palestine’ Comments",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/macklemore-dropped-from-ed-sheeran-tour-over-his-free-palestine",
        "published": "2026-09-14T15:18:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Deadline",
        "title": "Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran Tour After “Free Palestine” Remarks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/macklemore-dropped-from-ed-sheeran-tour-after-free-palestine-remarks",
        "published": "2026-09-14T16:00:21.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "NYT Arts",
        "title": "Macklemore Dropped From Ed Sheeran Tour After ‘Free Palestine’ Remarks",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/macklemore-dropped-from-ed-sheeran-tour-after-free-palestine-remarks-7376646",
        "published": "2026-09-14T18:47:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC News",
        "title": "Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour after 'Free Palestine' speech",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/macklemore-dropped-from-ed-sheeran-tour-after-free-palestine-speech-7382671",
        "published": "2026-09-14T19:30:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran tour after ‘Free Palestine’ speech",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/macklemore-dropped-from-ed-sheeran-tour-after-free-palestine-speech",
        "published": "2026-09-15T02:15:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}