Rapper Macklemore announces 'Free Palestine' tour after Ed Sheeran fallout

Image source, AFP via Getty Images Image caption, Macklemore performs at the Goldencoast Rap Festival in Corcelles-les-Monts, near Dijon, central-eastern France, on 30 August, 2026

Rapper Macklemore is launching a "Free Palestine" tour, days after being dropped from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour following pro-Palestinian comments he made onstage earlier this month.

"So, as you all know, my schedule freed up a bit," he said upon announcing the tour on Thursday.

The American artist - whose real name is Benjamin Haggerty - said proceeds from the tour, which launches in Dublin next month, will go to organisations supporting Palestinians.

Macklemore's onstage comments and subsequent removal from the tour led Sheeran's support acts to drop out, while the British singer stressed that the decision to drop the rapper was made by his promoter, not by himself.

Everything we know about the Ed Sheeran and Macklemore controversy