News Minimalist

All news ranked by significance

Macklemore's Gaza Chant at Ed Sheeran Concert Sparks Backlash from P!nk and Boy George

ilfattoquotidiano.it (Italian) — September 9, 2026 at 09:01 AM UTC

Rapper Macklemore sparked controversy at Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour concert in New Jersey on September 4, using his opening set to chant "Free Palestine" and criticize U.S. immigration agency ICE, drawing backlash from fellow artists. Performing before over 80,000 attendees at MetLife Stadium, Macklemore wore a keffiyeh and extended his solidarity message to Cuba, Congo, Sudan, and Iran while playing his 2024 song "Hind's Hall" with Gaza imagery on screens. He repeated the scene the following night, consistent with his outspoken pro-Palestinian activism since October 2023. The incident has triggered criticism from P!nk and Boy George, who opposed the political messaging, alongside a petition calling for Macklemore's removal from the tour. The rapper has previously labeled Israel's Gaza campaign a "genocide" and donated proceeds from "Hind's Hall" to Palestinian refugee aid.

With a significance score of 1.6, this news ranks in the top 34% of today's 33821 analyzed articles.

Get summaries of news with significance over 5.5 (usually ~10 stories per week). Read by 10,000+ subscribers:

Most significant articles on this story:

[2.3]

Macklemore defends pro-Palestinian set amid calls to drop from Ed Sheeran tour (latimes.com)

12h

Link Source [$]

[2.1]

Macklemore clarifies 'Free Palestine' comments were not anti-Jewish (bbc.co.uk)

20h

[2.0]

Macklemore defends 'Free Palestine' remarks after Ed Sheeran tour backlash (bbc.com)

19h

[1.8]

Ed Sheeran faces backlash after inviting pro-Palestinian rapper Macklemore to his concerts (corriere.it)

14h

Link Source (Italian)

[1.8]

Macklemore Defends Free Palestine Message After Tour Removal Petition (hollywoodreporter.com)

1d 7h

[1.8]

Macklemore: 'Free Palestine' Call Isn't Anti-Jewish, It's a Plea for Universal Freedom (variety.com)

1d 10h

[1.8]

Macklemore: 'Free Palestine' Call Is for Peace, Not a Critique of Jewish People (ca.news.yahoo.com)

1d 9h

[1.7]

Macklemore's pro-Palestinian chants on Ed Sheeran tour spark removal calls (thejournal.ie)

1d 17h

[1.6]

Macklemore defends Israel criticism at Ed Sheeran concert (ynetnews.com)

1d 2h

[1.6]

Macklemore's Gaza Chant at Ed Sheeran Concert Sparks Backlash from P!nk and Boy George (ilfattoquotidiano.it)

<1h

Link Source (Italian)

[1.6]

Macklemore Defends Pro-Palestine Concert Speech, Refuses to Back Down (vice.com)

1d 10h

[1.5]

Macklemore calls for 'Free Palestine' at New Jersey concert (khaleejtimes.com)

1d 1h

[1.4]

Macklemore clarifies 'Free Palestine' chant after calls to drop him from Sheeran tour (independent.co.uk)

24h

[1.4]

Macklemore's Gaza remarks spark demand to drop him from Ed Sheeran tour (ethnos.gr)

23h

Link Source (Greek)

[1.4]

Israeli-American Council urges Ed Sheeran to drop Macklemore over pro-Palestinian remarks (yahoo.com)

1d 17h

[1.3]

Pink Calls for Macklemore Apology After Pro-Palestine Speech at Ed Sheeran Concert (vice.com)

1d 14h

[1.2]

Pink Faces Backlash After Sharing Criticism of Macklemore's Pro-Palestinian Remarks (yahoo.com)

1d 12h

[1.1]

Pink Faces Backlash Over Macklemore Refund Call at Ed Sheeran's New Jersey Shows (leadership.ng)

23h

[1.0]

Pink Reposts Criticism of Macklemore's Pro-Palestinian Concert Remarks (tmz.com)

1d 14h