Macklemore says stadium owners pressured Ed Sheeran to drop him from the latter's tour after the rapper's 'Free Palestine' speech at MetLife Stadium Sept. 4-5. The move comes just days before Sheeran's tour stop in Philadelphia.
Macklemore has been at the center of backlash and media attention following the speech given at MetLife. A number of fellow music artists and advocacy groups condemned the rapper's comments, including Doylestown native Pink, who reposted a response to an Instagram story critical of Macklemore's stance.
According to the rapper, a number of stadium owners have given Sheeran the "ultimatum" that if Macklemore was on the tour, they would not be permitted to play the venue.
"Taking a side can cost you. Money, brand deals, sponsorships,
festivals, private shows, relationships and access. I've lost all of those things. But there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed," Macklemore shared in a multi-slide statement on Threads.
"I hope this isn't the end of my relationship with Ed. Thirteen years of friendship doesn't disappear because of one painful disagreement," he continued.
Will Macklemore be at Ed Sheeran's Philly show?
Macklemore's recent posts seem to indicate that he will not continue on tour with Sheeran, ahead of their scheduled stop in Philadelphia on Sept. 19.
Sheeran does not seem to have publicly addressed the tour change in any permanent social media posts.
When is Ed Sheeran coming to Philly
Ed Sheeran's Philadelphia tour stop is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field this Saturday, Sept. 19.
Kaitlyn McCormick is a Philadelphia-based reporter writing all things trending, breaking and city-related for USA TODAY's Philadelphia Metro Connect Team.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Was Macklemore removed from Ed Sheeran tour just before Philly concert?
