US rapper Macklemore announces Free Palestine tour after Ed Sheeran fallout

Macklemore says ‘being apolitical during a genocide doesn’t work’, promises to donate proceeds to Palestinian causes.Grammy Award-winning rapper Macklemore has announced a string of shows in support of Palestine after he was controversially dropped from Ed Sheeran’s United States tour after speaking out against Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza.The 43-year-old American rapper, who has almost 40 million monthly listeners on Spotify, announced his Free Palestine Tour on Thursday, with shows set to take place in Dublin, Paris and London in late October.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Ed Sheeran concert set to go ahead after outcry over Gazalist 2 of 3Gaza artists honour Macklemore for supporting Palestinelist 3 of 3Undeterred by fines, Al-Shaair pays tribute to Palestinian girl Wafaa Akilaend of listMacklemore said he will be joined by other musicians and will announce their names soon. He added that US shows are currently being organised.He said all proceeds raised from the tour will be donated to causes supporting the Palestinian people and the wider movement.“If these last couple of weeks have shown us anything, it’s that something has shifted over the last three years,” Macklemore said in a statement.“There has been a collective awakening around Palestinian liberation, the power of billionaires that try to censor that call, and what we expect from artists right now. It’s 2026. Being apolitical during a genocide doesn’t work anymore,” he continued.“People are asking artists to show up, educate themselves and be in community. To use the stage for more than entertainment. To push back when the call for a Free Palestine is met with attempts to silence it.”English punk rap duo Bob Vylan have expressed their support for the tour, responding to Macklemore’s Instagram post with a heart emoji. The British YouTuber and influencer known as Chunkz, who has more than four million followers on Instagram, also praised Macklemore.Attempts to silence MacklemoreOn September 4 at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, Macklemore, who was one of Sheeran’s opening acts, expressed support for Palestine.