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Macklemore has pledged to donate his entire $1 million in net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to organisations supporting Palestinians, just days after being removed from the remaining US dates.
The rapper announced the decision on Wednesday, September 16, saying the money would be divided between six organisations providing humanitarian support to Palestinians.
He also publicly challenged billionaire New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium, to match his donation.
But the story took another turn when Kraft revealed that Ed Sheeran had already contacted him and asked him to commit $2 million to humanitarian aid in the region.
According to ABC News Australia, Kraft agreed to the $2 million commitment, while Sheeran planned to contact other venue owners in an effort to raise further money.
It is the latest development in a controversy that has rapidly grown far beyond Macklemore’s original appearance on Sheeran’s tour.
Macklemore Pledges His Entire $1 Million Earnings
Macklemore, whose real name is Ben Haggerty, announced that he would give away the entire amount he earned from his appearances on Sheeran’s Loop Tour.
The figure is significant.
According to ITV News, Macklemore said his $1 million net earnings would go towards six organisations working to support Palestinians.
In his announcement, Macklemore said he wanted to move attention away from himself and back towards Palestinians.
He wrote:
“Whatever we disagree about, perhaps we can agree on this: Palestinian lives are worth protecting.”
He added:
“A Palestinian life is no less valuable than any other life on this earth.”
The donation will be shared between six organisations:
Palestine Children’s Relief Fund provides medical and humanitarian assistance to children and operates programmes including medical missions, treatment and emergency relief.
HEAL Palestine supports Palestinian children and families through healthcare, education, humanitarian aid and leadership programmes.
Gaza Soup Kitchen is a grassroots organisation operating kitchens inside Gaza and providing meals and other assistance.
Medical Aid for Palestinians is a UK-based organisation providing healthcare and medical support to Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.
Anera provides humanitarian and development assistance across Palestine, Lebanon and Jordan, including food, healthcare, water and emergency support.
UNRWA USA is a US nonprofit that raises support for UNRWA programmes assisting Palestine refugees.
Rather than simply announcing a general donation, Macklemore therefore identified the organisations he intends the money to support.
Macklemore Challenges Robert Kraft
Macklemore also directly challenged Robert Kraft to match his contribution.
Kraft owns the New England Patriots and his Kraft Group owns Gillette Stadium, one of the venues scheduled to host Sheeran’s Loop Tour.
Kraft had previously confirmed that he opposed Macklemore performing at Gillette Stadium.
He said his objection was based on Macklemore’s recent actions and what he described as a history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that he believed had been hurtful to the Jewish community.
Macklemore has rejected the argument that his criticism of Israel amounts to hostility towards Jewish people.
The rapper used his donation announcement to invite Kraft to put their disagreement aside and contribute towards humanitarian support for Palestinians.
Then came an unexpected response.
Ed Sheeran Had Already Called Kraft
According to a statement from Kraft reported by ABC News Australia, Sheeran had already contacted him before Macklemore publicly issued his challenge.
Kraft said:
“Earlier today before Macklemore challenged me to match his donation, Ed called me and asked me to commit $2 million to match his donation to aid the region to fight this humanitarian crisis.”
Kraft said he had agreed.
He also said Sheeran intended to contact other venue owners as part of an effort to generate further humanitarian support.
Kraft added:
“I believe deeply that all lives are worth protecting.”
This adds an important new element to the story.
Sheeran has faced criticism for attempting to remain publicly neutral during the controversy, but Kraft’s statement indicates that behind the scenes Sheeran was actively attempting to raise humanitarian aid.
At the time of writing, Sheeran himself had not publicly detailed the initiative.
Why Was Macklemore Removed?
The controversy began during Macklemore’s appearances at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
During his September 4 performance, the rapper used part of his set to speak about Gaza and the West Bank.
Before performing his protest song “Hind’s Hall,” Macklemore told the audience:
“Free Palestine.”
He returned to the subject during the following night’s performance and addressed Jewish members of the audience while explaining that his criticism was directed towards the Israeli government and its policies, rather than Jewish people.
His comments generated both support and criticism.
The Israeli-American Council subsequently called for Macklemore to be removed from the tour.
According to Reuters, tour promoter Messina Touring Group later said venue owners had informed the company that they would not host upcoming concerts if Macklemore remained on the lineup.
Macklemore was subsequently removed from the remaining US dates.
WATCH: Macklemore’s “Hind’s Hall”
The song Macklemore performed during the controversy was “Hind’s Hall,” released in 2024.
The track was written in support of pro-Palestinian student protests and was named after Hind Rajab, a Palestinian child killed in Gaza in January 2024.
Macklemore originally announced that proceeds generated by the song would support UNRWA.
Watch the official Macklemore upload below:
Other Artists Walk Away From Sheeran’s Tour
Macklemore’s removal triggered an extraordinary reaction among other musicians connected to the Loop Tour.
Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga subsequently withdrew from scheduled appearances.
Finneas said artists should not be silenced for speaking on behalf of people they believe are oppressed.
Irish singer Aaron Rowe also withdrew despite describing Sheeran as a friend who had transformed his career.
Beoga’s withdrawal was particularly significant because the Irish group were not simply an opening act. They have collaborated extensively with Sheeran and were performing during sections of his main show.
Lukas Graham also pulled out.
The Associated Press reported on the wave of withdrawals as the controversy expanded.
Sheeran Says Removing Macklemore Was Not His Decision
Sheeran has also attempted to make an important distinction about Macklemore’s departure.
He says he did not personally remove him.
According to Reuters, Sheeran said:
“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine.”
Sheeran said venues had threatened to pull upcoming concerts if Macklemore remained part of the tour.
He said he spent days attempting to find a solution but explained that Macklemore’s agreement was with the promoter and the final decision was not his to make.
Sheeran also defended continuing with the concerts, pointing towards fans who had already made travel arrangements and the musicians, crew members and other workers whose livelihoods depend on the tour.
Macklemore Says The Story Is Bigger Than Him
Macklemore’s latest statement attempted to redirect attention away from his removal.
He acknowledged that donating money was considerably less risky than the work being carried out by medical workers, journalists, aid workers and activists on the ground.
According to The Guardian, Macklemore said donating money was one of the least costly forms of solidarity available to him.
He also argued that humanitarian aid alone could not resolve the underlying political situation.
The rapper ended his statement by urging people not to lose interest once the controversy surrounding the tour disappears from the headlines.
A $1 Million Donation Becomes a $2 Million Commitment
The financial side of the story has now become almost as significant as the original tour controversy.
Macklemore has pledged $1 million of his net Loop Tour earnings to six organisations supporting Palestinians.
He challenged Robert Kraft to match him.
Kraft then revealed that Ed Sheeran had already contacted him and asked for a $2 million humanitarian commitment, which Kraft said he had agreed to.
Sheeran was also said to be approaching other venue owners in an attempt to generate further support.
It means a dispute that began with Macklemore saying “Free Palestine” during an opening performance has now resulted in millions of dollars being pledged towards humanitarian aid.
The political disagreement between those involved has not disappeared.
Kraft continues to defend his decision to prevent Macklemore from appearing at Gillette Stadium, while Macklemore continues to reject accusations that his advocacy for Palestinians is antisemitic.
Sheeran maintains that removing Macklemore was not his decision.
But amid one of the biggest controversies surrounding the Loop Tour, Macklemore has now made clear where the money he earned from it is going.
All $1 million of it.
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