Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has spoken out in support of rapper Macklemore following a high-profile controversy surrounding Ed Sheeran’s US tour.
Macklemore, who is 43 years old, was removed from Sheeran’s Loop tour after delivering a passionate pro-Palestine speech during a concert at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
The speech triggered significant backlash, drawing in other public figures including singer Pink, who became embroiled in the controversy after reposting a critical Instagram message.
The situation escalated on Monday when Macklemore took to Instagram to publicly announce that he had been dropped from the tour.
Writing in a lengthy post, Macklemore stated: “I’m not sure how to start this. So I’m going to speak from the heart and share the truth. Ed Sheeran and his team have made the decision to remove me from The Loop tour.”
Macklemore went on to explain the chain of events that followed his New Jersey performance, detailing a conversation he had with Sheeran involving New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
“Last Monday, in the middle of all the media attention surrounding Pink and what I said at MetLife, Ed told me that Robert Kraft called him,” Macklemore wrote in the detailed post.
He claimed that Kraft warned Sheeran he would not be permitted to perform at Gillette Stadium, which is owned by the Kraft Group and was scheduled to host the tour later in the month.
Macklemore further alleged that Kraft rallied other stadium owners around a collective ultimatum, writing: “If Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.”
While acknowledging that Sheeran was “in a f***ed up position”, Macklemore claimed the 35-year-old English star “couldn’t get past his public facing, ‘I don’t take sides'” stance.
Sheeran responded to the public fallout by issuing his own statement, insisting that the decision to remove Macklemore had been made by promoters rather than by him personally.
Hamilton, who at 41 years old remains one of the most prominent and outspoken athletes in global sport, made clear where he stands on the matter by publicly supporting Macklemore.
The Ferrari driver told the rapper directly: “Thank you for using your voice, standing with you.”
Macklemore’s Instagram post has since attracted more than 7.3 million likes, reflecting the enormous public interest the controversy has generated across the globe.
The backlash against Macklemore’s removal has intensified further, with the rapper’s fellow support acts on the tour all quitting in solidarity with him.
Hamilton’s decision to speak out continues a long tradition of the British driver using his considerable platform to engage with social and political issues beyond the world of motorsport.