Macklemore is keeping things low-key after his controversial exit from Ed Sheeran’s tour, stepping out for a quiet walk in Seattle with his parents while wearing a Real Madrid jersey.
The rapper was photographed in a Seattle neighborhood Wednesday as he chatted with his parents. The outing came days after he was removed from Sheeran’s tour following controversy surrounding his pro-Palestinian remarks.
Macklemore’s choice of clothing also caught attention. He was wearing a purple Real Madrid jersey, just days after three of the club’s players publicly objected to political messaging on shirts provided to them before a match.
Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr. obscured the messages on their shirts, while teammate Ibrahima Konate reportedly refused to wear his. Real Madrid subsequently supported the players’ ability to make their own decisions about wearing the shirts.
The jersey appearance does not establish whether Macklemore was making a political statement, but its timing has drawn attention given the rapper’s ongoing controversy.
Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s tour followed criticism from Robert Kraft and other NFL figures over his public comments and imagery. Kraft said Macklemore had crossed a line with what he characterized as antisemitic rhetoric and imagery.
Macklemore has also received public support from figures including Aaron Rowe and Finneas, as well as some members of Congress.
The rapper has since donated $1 million toward aid for Palestinians. Kraft subsequently announced a $2 million donation to the region.
For now, Macklemore appears to be keeping his public activity relatively subdued, with his Seattle outing offering a glimpse of the rapper away from the stage as the fallout from his tour departure continues.
