Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud Ed Sheeran, Macklemore, and the cost of staying silent
Sep 17, 2026
Jay Smooth, veteran hip-hop broadcaster and culture critic; Sara Yasin, writer and editor focused on culture, politics, and Palestine; and Niko Stratis, music critic and author, unpack Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s tour. They discuss pro-Palestinian speech, celebrity neutrality, Robert Kraft’s campaign, Irish solidarity, artistic risk, and whether silence can ever be apolitical.
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Macklemore Lost The Tour For Saying Free Palestine
- Macklemore was removed from Ed Sheeran’s North American tour after venues objected to his pro-Palestinian statements.
- He used the tour platform to say “free Palestine” and clarified that opposing Israeli policies was not an attack on Jewish people.
Macklemore’s Removal Exposed A Familiar Silencing Pattern
- The panel saw Macklemore’s removal as part of a broader pattern of silencing pro-Palestinian expression.
- The situation felt especially transparent because Macklemore had publicly made similar statements for years and Sheeran presumably knew his views.
Robert Kraft Became The Face Of The Venue Ban
- Robert Kraft helped drive the venue ban despite his close relationship with Ed Sheeran, who performed at Kraft’s wedding.
- Kraft owns Gillette Stadium and has publicly supported Israel while calling Macklemore’s remarks part of a history of antisemitic rhetoric.
