Rapper Macklemore announced he will donate $1 million in tour earnings to aid organizations and challenged billionaire Robert Kraft to match the contribution.
Key facts
- •Macklemore is donating $1 million in net earnings from the Loop Tour to six humanitarian organizations.
- •The rapper was removed from the tour after venues refused to host him following his 'Free Palestine' speech.
- •Macklemore alleged that Robert Kraft led a campaign to force his removal from the tour.
- •Supporting acts including Finneas and Lukas Graham dropped out of the tour following the controversy.
- •A representative for Robert Kraft declined to comment on the donation request.
Rapper Macklemore announced on Wednesday that he will donate $1 million in net earnings from Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour to six organizations supporting Palestinians. The announcement follows his removal from the tour earlier this week after venues reportedly refused to host him following his political speech at MetLife Stadium. Macklemore has publicly invited New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, who he alleges led a pressure campaign against his participation, to match the donation.
Donation and Beneficiaries
Macklemore stated that he intends to donate his full $1 million in net earnings to the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, the UNRWA USA National Committee, and Anera. He described the donation as a way to refocus attention on Palestinians living under military occupation and to support those providing aid in the region.
Circumstances of Tour Departure
The rapper was dropped from the tour after delivering a speech at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey earlier this month. Ed Sheeran stated that he was unable to reach a resolution after venues and promoters, including Kraft, pressured him to remove Macklemore from the bill. Following the decision, several other acts on the tour, including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Beoga, and Aaron Rowe, withdrew from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.
Timeline
- Early SeptemberMacklemore delivered a political speech at MetLife Stadium.
- MondayTour promoters announced Macklemore would be leaving the tour.
- Tuesday morningEd Sheeran released a statement regarding his inability to find a resolution.
- WednesdayMacklemore announced his $1 million donation plan.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Rolling Stone, Deadline, Variety.
