Rapper Macklemore has been dropped from Ed Sheeran’s “The Loop” tour dates at Gillette Stadium, and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft has now explained why.
Macklemore had claimed that Kraft, who is Jewish, was behind his removal from Sheeran’s Sept. 25 and Sept. 26 shows. Kraft, who serves as CEO of the Kraft Group, which owns Gillette Stadium, responded with a statement Monday addressing the decision directly.
“Based on Macklemore’s recent actions, material shared from the stage during Ed Sheeran’s shows in New Jersey, and a broader history of antisemitic rhetoric and imagery that we believe has been deeply offensive and hurtful to the Jewish community, we determined that his participation in the September 25th and 26th concerts at Gillette Stadium would cross that line,” Kraft said.
The dispute quickly drew a public offer from another quarter. Dearborn, Michigan Mayor Abdullah Hammoud posted a message on social media inviting Macklemore to perform in his city instead.
“Hey @macklemore, if they don’t want you performing in their stadiums, you’re always welcome in Dearborn. Come put on a show here. We’ll make it a free concert, sponsored by the City, and help make it one of the best around. We stand with you and for a free Palestine. Let’s make it happen.”
Hammoud’s offer describes the proposed concert as free to attendees and sponsored by the city of Dearborn, though no further details on cost, funding source, or scheduling have been made public.
Macklemore had previously described a costume he wore, which drew criticism as antisemitic imagery, as “random” before later apologizing and saying he did not intend it to carry any particular meaning.
Neither Kraft’s organization nor Sheeran’s tour representatives have issued further comment beyond the Monday statement, and it remains unclear whether Macklemore has responded to the Dearborn mayor’s invitation.
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