Ed Sheeran addresses Macklemore controversy in pre-concert speech

Carter SchroppeSeptember 20, 2026

Ed Sheeran addressed a controversy involving Macklemore during a pre-concert speech in Philadelphia. Macklemore, a 43-year-old rapper, was removed from the remaining dates of Sheeran’s Loop tour after making comments at a concert in New Jersey suggesting he participated to raise awareness among people in the occupied West Bank. These remarks drew backlash from Jewish groups, notably the Israeli American Council, who called for his removal due to past incidents, including a controversial onstage costume resembling anti-Jewish caricatures in 2014. The article also includes promotional content for the Washington examiner,encouraging readers to subscribe for full access to their news and analysis.

Singer Ed Sheeran gave a speech to the crowd before his concert in Philadelphia on Saturday night about the controversy he found himself embroiled in with Macklemore.

Macklemore, a 43-year-old rapper, was removed from the remaining dates of Sheeran’s Loop tour after drawing backlash from Jewish groups for saying that part of his reason for participating in the tour was to let people in the “occupied West Bank” know they had not been forgotten. The Sept. 4 comments, which were made at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, prompted the Israeli American Council to call for his removal from the rest of the tour, as Macklemore had previously faced backlash in 2014 for wearing a costume onstage that pro-Israeli groups said resembled anti-Jewish caricatures.