# Silencing artists backfires

> Macklemore's pro-Palestine protest song went viral after being dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour.
- Title: Silencing artists backfires · The Conversation | Shortify
- Summary: Macklemore's pro-Palestine protest song went viral after being dropped from Ed Sheeran's tour. Preventing Macklemore from touring with Ed Sheeran backfired…
- Keywords: macklemore, ed sheeran, palestine, book bans, streisand effect, censorship, libraries, singers, concerts, protest songs, science, ideas
- Source: The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/whether-its-banning-books-or-preventing-macklemore-from-touring-silencing-artists-often-backfires-292654
- Author: Naveen Basavaraj
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: macklemore, ed sheeran, palestine, book bans, streisand effect, censorship, libraries, singers, concerts, protest songs, science, ideas
## Macklemore dropped from tour
Macklemore performed a pro-Palestine monologue at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sept 4, 2026, during Ed Sheeran's tour.

> hind's hall
## Tour dropped after backlash
Robert Kraft, owner of the NFL's New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, dropped Macklemore 10 days later after he crossed a line.

> 43-year-old rapper
## Macklemore's profile soared
Macklemore's Instagram followers increased by over 1.6 million and song streams skyrocketed after being dropped from the tour.

> 1.6 million
## Sheeran's opening acts withdrew
All of Ed Sheeran's other opening acts withdrew from the tour and at least one radio network pulled Sheeran's music.

> act of solidarity
## Streisand effect explained
The Streisand effect describes how attempts to silence artists often backfire by amplifying their message.

> streisand effect
## Book bans spike circulation
Book bans in U.S. schools increased from 729 in 2021 to 1,269 in 2022, with banned books seeing 12% higher circulation.

> 729 unique attempts
## Banned books gain attention
Banned books by lesser-known authors saw 12% higher circulation, with each additional ban adding 2% to circulation.

> 12% higher circulation
## Key takeaway

Preventing Macklemore from touring with Ed Sheeran backfired as his pro-Palestine message gained massive attention.