Macklemore’s ‘Free Palestine’ Tour Slammed As ‘Performative’ And A ‘Fake Victim Fest’ Amid Ed Sheeran Drama

Since Macklemore's removal from the "Loop" tour, Ed Sheeran has taken a blow, losing other tour openers and some fans. The Macklemore’s ‘Free Palestine’ Tour Slammed As ‘Performative’ And A ‘Fake Victim Fest’ Amid Ed Sheeran Drama first appeared on The Blast

Macklemore is getting the heat following the announcement of his upcoming tour.

The “Thrift Shop” rapper took to social media to announce he’d kick off his “Free Palestine” tour next month, and the backlash came flooding in. This comes shortly after he was kicked off Ed Sheeran’s ongoing tour after voicing his political stance during performances.

Since Macklemore’s removal from the “Loop” tour, Ed Sheeran has taken a blow, losing other tour openers, fans, and thousands of online followers.

Macklemore Announces Music Tour To Support ‘The Palestinian Movement’

The rapper, born Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, posted on social media that he and some friends will travel across continents for his “Free Palestine” tour next month.

According to the poster he uploaded, the tour will have three stops: London, Dublin, and Paris, and will span from October 26 to October 29. The flyer also noted that all proceeds from the tour will go to “organizations supporting Palestine and the Palestinian movement.”

“What happened to me is bigger than one artist or one stage,” Macklemore wrote in his caption of his X post. “When the billionaire class can decide which voices are allowed on stage and which ones are too dangerous to hear, everyone should be paying attention,” he added.

The Rapper’s Post Was Tagged A Cry For ‘Attention’

Fans did not waste time taking Macklemore’s post for an online bash spree. “No one has talked about Macklemore in a long time. I guess this is one way to get attention!!!” a user noted. “They should rename it ‘Fake Victim Fest,'” another added.

Another X user gave other commenters food for thought by highlighting the tour’s timing. Their comment read, “Timing is wild: get dropped from the Sheeran tour and immediately drop your own Free Palestine dates. Performative or consistent, you decide.”

Many other online users questioned the rapper’s choice of tour locations, saying he should have held the event in Gaza. “Notice he isn’t going to Gaza,” a netizen penned, with another echoing a similar sentiment, writing, “Why aren’t they holding it in Palestine? Would make more sense.”

Different commenters speculated that Macklemore was using this solely to revive his career and make more money, rather than out of a genuine desire to support Palestinians.

• Macklemore was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s tour following his controversial remark.
• The “Good Old Days” rapper has received support from several quarters since his removal.
• Pink addressed her involvement in the controversy, saying a repost “isn’t a statement.”
• Michael Rapaport slammed Macklemore over his “Free Palestine” remark.
• Ed Sheeran shared details about his wife Cherry Seaborn’s “scary” surgery.
• The “Shape of You” singer’s alleged marriage troubles intensified following the release of his aptly titled album.

Things Are Reportedly Not Going Perfectly For Ed Sheeran

Shortly after Macklemore was officially booted off the “Loop” tour, his Philadelphia show saw low ticket sales, with several fans demanding refunds from Ticketmaster. Other tour openers, including Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Lukas Graham, and Beoga, also dropped out of the tour in solidarity with the 43-year-old rapper.

In addition, The Blast reports that the pushback extends beyond the online community. Outside the arena, pro-Palestine protest groups have shown up to express their displeasure at Macklemore’s exit from the tour.

The “Shape of You” singer was reportedly pressured by New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft to drop the rapper from the tour due to his political stance. The drama started after Macklemore chanted “Free Palestine” during his performances in New Jersey.

The ‘Thrift Shop’ Rapper Has Received Support Amid Backlash

Macklemore’s stance, drawing attention to the ongoing crisis in Gaza, has not gone unnoticed. His “Free Palestine” comment has seemingly earned him a soft spot among Gaza residents, who in turn honored him with a hero’s tribute.

The Blast shared that a mural of the rapper was put up in Gaza City, and his name is on the lips of many residents, who praise him for remaining defiant despite the pressure he faced after speaking up at Sheeran’s concert.

The mural was painted on a concrete slab, depicting Macklemore draped in a Palestinian flag, his fist raised to the sky. Local artists Anne Redwan and Qusai al-Helo reportedly created the painting. Beside the portrait is a painted message that reads, “Thank you for using your voice for Palestine.”

Macklemore’s Previous Controversy Before The Ed Sheeran Fiasco

Under the rapper’s tour announcement post, some internet users recalled a previous controversy when Macklemore was slammed for “mocking Jews” back in 2014. 

“Isn’t this Macklemore being racist and mocking Jews? It appears he has a long history of this, so I do not believe he has good intentions,” a user wrote, attached to a picture of the entertainer dressed in a costume. 

In May 2014, Macklemore showed up at the EMP Museum wearing a black wig, beard, and fake hooked nose. The outfit choice was slammed as a caricature of a Jewish man, and backlash from industry stars, including Seth Rogen, followed.

TODAY reports that the rapper defended himself at the time, saying he chose the costume solely as a disguise with no ill intent. He also apologized for how it was perceived in a statement that partially read, “I respect all cultures and all people. I would never intentionally put down anybody for the fabric that makes them who they are.”

The Macklemore’s ‘Free Palestine’ Tour Slammed As ‘Performative’ And A ‘Fake Victim Fest’ Amid Ed Sheeran Drama first appeared on The Blast