Macklemore confirmed in a September 16, 2026 Instagram statement that he is donating his full $1M net earnings from Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour across six specified Palestinian aid charities.
Macklemore sends 1 million dollars to Palestinian relief
The US rapper pledged his full tour fee to six aid groups after venue bans over onstage remarks prompted supporting acts to quit Ed Sheeran's stadium run.
In a nutshell
After venue operators dropped Macklemore from Ed Sheeran's stadium tour over an onstage pro-Palestinian speech, the rapper redirected his entire $1 million net earnings to six humanitarian relief charities and challenged Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft to match the contribution, sparking walkouts by remaining opening acts.
Highlights
- Macklemore pledged his full $1 million in net tour earnings to six Palestinian humanitarian relief charities.
- Tour organizers removed Macklemore from upcoming dates following objections led by Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft.
- Opening acts Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Beoga withdrew from the tour in solidarity.
- Robert Kraft confirmed that Ed Sheeran separately requested a $2 million aid commitment for the region.
From the Editor’s Diary
When venue owners penalize political speech, artists can bypass corporate gatekeepers by converting commercial penalties into direct grassroots leverage.
Who's involved
Macklemore
American hip-hop artist and activist dropped from Ed Sheeran's concert tour
goal → Redirect attention to Palestinian humanitarian relief and pressure industry figures to contribute aid
Ed Sheeran
British pop superstar headlining the global Loop Tour
goal → Maintain tour operations while navigating venue pressure and mediating between parties
Robert Kraft
American billionaire businessman and New England Patriots/Gillette Stadium owner
goal → Block artists he accuses of offensive rhetoric while defending his philanthropy and venue policies
Palestinian Relief Beneficiaries
Six designated humanitarian charities delivering direct medical, food, and refugee relief
goal → Secure essential funding and assistance for civilians affected by the ongoing crisis
In short
Macklemore has turned an industry standoff over pro-Palestinian speech into direct humanitarian funding by pledging his entire $1 million earnings from Ed Sheeran's tour to overseas relief.
The decision makes broader artist walkouts and public pressure on corporate stadium owners likely to spread across upcoming concert dates.
That outcome remains uncertain because Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft has not committed to Macklemore's challenge, leaving future corporate contributions tied to separate private talks.
How it unfolded
Macklemore delivers onstage pro-Palestine remarks at MetLife Stadium
Opening for Ed Sheeran at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, Macklemore delivered a speech advocating for Palestinian freedom and performed his protest track "Hind's Hall". The set drew swift pushback from venue stakeholders and pro-Israel figures, igniting threats of venue cancellations that prompted tour organizers to drop him from future dates.
Tour removal and opener solidarity walkouts
Gillette Stadium owner Robert Kraft led venue resistance against Macklemore, leading to the rapper's removal and triggering an immediate backlash among the tour's remaining roster. Supporting artists Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Irish group Beoga withdrew in protest, stating that performers should not face venue bans for advocating human rights.
Million-dollar donation pledge and the Kraft match challenge
Macklemore posted a statement on Instagram assigning his full $1 million tour earnings to six non-profit groups: Palestine Children's Relief Fund, HEAL Palestine, Gaza Soup Kitchen, Medical Aid for Palestinians, UNRWA USA National Committee, and Anera. He challenged Kraft to match the sum, leading Kraft to disclose that Sheeran had already asked him to contribute $2 million toward humanitarian relief in the region.
Where things stand
Macklemore's $1 million pledge across six relief charities is verified and active through his official channels. Robert Kraft acknowledged the humanitarian crisis and cited a $2 million aid initiative discussed with Sheeran, though specific recipient charities remain unannounced. Ed Sheeran's Loop Tour continues across North America without its original supporting lineup.