Lewis Hamilton Backs Macklemore Amid Ed Sheeran Tour Dispute

Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton has publicly expressed support for Macklemore after the rapper was removed from multiple dates on Ed Sheeran’s North American tour following his comments in support of Palestine.

Hamilton responded Wednesday to a post Macklemore published Monday, in which the rapper addressed his remarks and described being prevented from performing at several venues scheduled to host Sheeran’s tour. “Thank you for using your voice, standing with you,” Hamilton wrote in the comments.

Macklemore’s post alleged that Sheeran had told him New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft was responsible for barring him from performing at Gillette Stadium. The rapper further claimed Kraft had encouraged other stadium owners to pressure Sheeran with an ultimatum: “if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.” The post has received 7.2 million likes.

Singer-songwriter Kehlani was among those who publicly supported Macklemore. She wrote that many venue owners had been organized in a similar way and expressed her support for the rapper, with her comment receiving nearly 400,000 likes.

Other public figures and artists who commented positively on Macklemore’s post included Zara Larsson, Greta Thunberg, Rachel Chinouriri, Bob Vylan and Kneecap. Florence Pugh, who participated in a “Together for Palestine” benefit concert last year, also liked the post, as did Penélope Cruz, Rachel Zegler, Cara Delevingne, Amanda Seyfried, Chase Infiniti, Bella Hadid and Hozier.

Support also came from Aaron Rowe, Finneas and Lukas Graham, who had been opening acts on Sheeran’s tour before withdrawing from its remaining dates. Rowe said he could not “stand by and allow billionaires to use their position of power to silence the rightful voices of those who speak up against Israeli genocide and who highlight the savage murder of children.” Irish folk band Beoga, which had been performing as Sheeran’s backing band, also withdrew from the tour Tuesday.

The dispute began after Macklemore spoke during a MetLife Stadium performance on Sept. 4, saying he had joined the tour in part so he could say “two words that are very near and dear to my heart: free Palestine.” At the following MetLife show, he said criticism of Israel, apartheid and genocide should not be interpreted as criticism of Jewish people.

As the controversy grew and pro-Israel groups criticized Macklemore’s remarks, the rapper addressed the situation on social media and defended his position. He also said Sheeran had been put in a “f—– up position.” Sheeran subsequently said in a Tuesday statement that he was not responsible for Macklemore’s removal and that he was “appalled by the conflict between Israel and Palestine.”

Sheeran said he had spent the week speaking with venues in an effort to “build a bridge,” including discussions with Kraft. Kraft confirmed this week that he had prevented Macklemore from performing at Gillette Stadium. Kraft has not accepted responsibility for organizing other stadium owners to block the rapper from performing.