{
  "id": 7583732,
  "title": "Ed Sheeran says it was 'not my decision' to drop Macklemore from tour",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ed-sheeran-says-it-was-not-my-decision-to-drop-macklemore-from-tour",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-15T16:01:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC News",
    "slug": "bbc-news",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3vgyn49y4l7o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ed Sheeran announced on Instagram that it was not his decision to remove Macklemore from his US tour, but rather a choice made by the tour promoters, Messina Touring Group. Macklemore, whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty, was excluded from the tour after making pro-Palestinian statements during his performances in New Jersey, which drew criticism from Jewish groups. Sheeran tried to address the issue by speaking with the venues and the promoters, but ultimately the decision to drop the rapper was made by the promoters. Sheeran expressed his desire to use his platform to promote peace and diplomacy, rather than engaging in political discussions.",
  "summary": "The star says tour promoters took the decision, after Macklemore made pro-Palestinian statements on stage.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 10,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Pro-Israel billionaire Robert Kraft led campaign to drop Macklemore from Ed Sheeran tour",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/pro-israel-billionaire-robert-kraft-led-campaign-to-drop-macklemore",
        "published": "2026-09-15T12:29:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran tour sparks debate over political speech",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/macklemores-removal-from-ed-sheeran-tour-sparks-debate-over-political",
        "published": "2026-09-15T13:32:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RTE News",
        "title": "Kneecap back Macklemore after Ed Sheeran tour removal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/kneecap-back-macklemore-after-ed-sheeran-tour-removal",
        "published": "2026-09-15T13:55:53.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Macklemore dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour for pro-Palestinian sentiments onstage",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/macklemore-dropped-from-ed-sheerans-tour-for-pro-palestinian",
        "published": "2026-09-15T14:14:16.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News (US)",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran speaks out after Macklemore dropped from tour",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ed-sheeran-speaks-out-after-macklemore-dropped-from-tour",
        "published": "2026-09-15T15:48:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "BBC World",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran says it was 'not my decision' to drop Macklemore from tour",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ed-sheeran-says-it-was-not-my-decision-to-drop-macklemore-from-tour-7588239",
        "published": "2026-09-15T16:01:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Billboard",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran Says Decision to Drop Macklemore From Tour ‘Was Not Mine’: ‘I Have Spent This Week Trying to Build Bridges’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ed-sheeran-says-decision-to-drop-macklemore-from-tour-was-not-mine-i",
        "published": "2026-09-15T16:15:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Arutz Sheva - Israel National News",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran says decision to drop Macklemore was not his",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ed-sheeran-says-decision-to-drop-macklemore-was-not-his",
        "published": "2026-09-15T16:53:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Deadline",
        "title": "Ed Sheeran Weighs In On “Promoter’s Decision” To Drop Macklemore From Loop Tour; Details Efforts “Trying To Build Bridges”",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/15/ed-sheeran-weighs-in-on-promoters-decision-to-drop-macklemore-from",
        "published": "2026-09-15T17:18:23.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}