{
  "id": 8070626,
  "title": "Artists and Illustrators Throw Ed Sheeran for a Loop",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/artists-and-illustrators-throw-ed-sheeran-for-a-loop",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-17T18:16:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hyperallergic",
    "slug": "hyperallergic",
    "url": "https://hyperallergic.com/artists-and-illustrators-throw-ed-sheeran-for-a-loop/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ed Sheeran is facing backlash online after removing rapper Macklemore from his Loop Tour for making pro-Palestine comments. The Chicago cartoonist Jesse Duquette has illustrated Sheeran in 1933 with new bandmates, while political cartoonist Benjamin Slyngstad portrays the musician serenading a missile with his hit song \"Shape of You.\" Macklemore protested Israel's actions in Gaza and sang a song for a Palestinian child killed by Israeli forces. Pro-Israel protesters disrupted the rapper's performance, with singer Pink criticizing him for turning a mainstream event into a political issue against Israel. Macklemore explained that Sheeran's decision to drop him from the tour was not his choice but that of billionaire Robert Kraft, who owns the stadium where the show will take place. Ed Sheeran maintains that he had no control over the decision. The controversy has inspired numerous artists to create protest art and memes, criticizing Sheeran's silence on the matter.",
  "summary": "Protest artworks and memes scrutinize Sheeran's inability to speak out against the genocide after he axed Macklemore from his Loop Tour over pro-Palestine comments.",
  "key_points": [
    "Macklemore protested Israel's actions in Gaza.",
    "Pro-Israel protesters disrupted Macklemore's performance.",
    "Artists create protest art and memes criticizing Sheeran's silence."
  ],
  "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."
}