From New York Post · · 1m 20s
Dearborn's mayor offers Macklemore a stage
Dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour over a Gaza rant, Macklemore just got a free concert offer from an Arab-majority city.
In brief
Dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour over a Gaza rant, Macklemore just got a free concert offer from an Arab-majority city. When a corporate venue closes a door, a political constituency can open one, and both moves are statements. Originally reported by New York Post.
A mayor makes an offer
Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud invited Macklemore to play a free, city-sponsored concert days after the rapper lost his arena tour slot.
“If they don't want you performing in their stadiums, you're always welcome in Dearborn.”
Booted from the Sheeran tour
Macklemore, 43, had eight more US shows opening for Ed Sheeran. Promoter Messina Touring Group cut him this week, saying stadium owners wouldn't take him.
Why Dearborn
The Michigan city holds one of the highest concentrations of Muslim and Arab Americans in the country. Hammoud, a Democrat, framed the invite as solidarity.
“We stand with you and for a free Palestine.”
The rant that started it
Wearing a keffiyeh at MetLife Stadium, Macklemore called for a free Palestine and accused Israel of genocide in Gaza. The ADL and the Israeli-American Council hit back.
He blames the owners
Macklemore says he was cut at the urging of Patriots owner Robert Kraft and other moguls who thought keeping him on tour was too much of a risk.
Sheeran keeps his distance
Sheeran has declined to take a side and said the removal was the promoter's call, not his. Macklemore called him out anyway. No reply from Macklemore to Dearborn yet.
The one thing
When a corporate venue closes a door, a political constituency can open one, and both moves are statements.
