Ed Sheeran’s cousin has called the pop star a “coward” and accused him of being “not a good person” following Macklemore’s removal from the singer’s tour after the rapper spoke out in support of Palestine.
The American rapper gave pro-Palestinian speeches and wore a keffiyeh scarf while opening two of Sheeran’s shows in New Jersey earlier this month.
Jethro Sheeran, who is nine years older than his cousin and has previously been involved in a bitter feud with him, said he was “ashamed” of Ed in response to the controversy.
In an angry Facebook post, he wrote: “Finally it’s all coming out! I’m ashamed of my cousin Ed and what he’s done.
“Finally the world and all his fans see through him. He’s not a good person, I don’t like his music so I can’t say he’s even a good artist.”
Sheeran, who has been a close friend of Macklemore for years, has maintained that he played no part in the decision to remove the rapper from the tour.
Insiders previously told Our News Outlet that the incident had left Sheeran “seriously upset”, as the singer has consistently avoided making his own political views public.
Jethro also claimed that his cousin “screwed him over” after becoming famous, despite the pair having spent school holidays writing and recording music together.
Jethro Sheeran (right) and his famous cousin Ed are at the centre of a bitter family dispute
Macklemore (R) was removed from Sheeran’s (L) tour after delivering a political speech in support of Palestine
The dispute reportedly centres on a song called Raise Em Up, which Jethro recorded with Ed in 2010. The track also appeared in the 2013 film All Stars.
Jethro later produced a remixed version that credited Ed and used the singer’s image in its artwork.
He had hoped that re-releasing the song would generate funds to help his daughter, Skyla Rain Sheeran, an aspiring singer seeking to begin a music career.
However, lawyers representing Ed’s record label, Warner Music, contacted Jethro and threatened legal action unless references to Ed were removed from the track.
“Ed Sheeran! He is shady and he’s dropped Macklemore himself I believe 100 per cent he’s a coward,” Jethro continued in his Facebook post.
“In my opinion he’s a bad human. Just my opinion from my experiences.”
A number of celebrities have supported Macklemore’s comments on Palestine, including Lewis Hamilton, who wrote: “Thank you for using your voice, standing with you.”
Activist Greta Thunberg said: “Full solidarity and free Palestine. Artists’ very active silence in the face of injustice and genocide will not be forgotten.”
Pop star Paloma Faith added: “You are a rare and important voice…thank you for existing…. This is so articulate and so powerful. You are a hero.”
Jethro, who is nine years older than Ed, said the cousins would “hang out” while Ed was growing up, writing and recording songs together
Macklemore delivered his politically-motivated speeches when he opened Sheeran’s shows at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on September 4 and 5.
He was due to open for the singer at eight of the remaining ten shows on his tour in America, but on Monday it was announced he had been dropped.
Breaking his silence amid the backlash, Sheeran insisted Macklemore coming off the tour was the ‘promoter’s decision’, not his.
He added his audience is often young people ‘from different backgrounds’ who do not expect his shows to be a political forum.
Sheeran lost more than 200,000 Instagram followers in 24 hours amid the row over Palestine.
And after the news of Macklemore’s departure, all of Sheeran’s remaining support acts have also stepped away from the tour.
Our News Outlet has contacted Sheeran’s representatives for comment.
