Whether It's Banning Books or Preventing Artists From Touring, Silencing Often Backfires

Whether it's banning books or preventing artists from touring, silencing often backfires

If the goal was to silence rapper Macklemore by preventing him from touring with singer Ed Sheeran, it clearly backfired. Macklemore delivered a monolog in support of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and performed his pro-Palestinian protest song "Hind's Hall" during a Sept. 4, 2026, concert at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where he was an opening act for Sheeran.

Whether it’s banning books or preventing Macklemore from touring, silencing artists often backfires

Rapper Macklemore performs in Paris in July 2025. Kristy Sparow/Getty ImagesIf the goal was to silence rapper Macklemore by preventing him from touring with singer Ed Sheeran, it clearly backfired. Macklemore delivered a monologue in support of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and performed his pro-Palestinian protest song “Hind’s Hall” during a Sept. 4, 2026, concert at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, where he was an openi…

Whether it’s banning books or preventing Macklemore from touring, silencing artists often backfires

by Naveen Basavaraj, Indiana University, [This article first appeared in The Conversation, republished with permission] If the goal was to silence rapper Macklemore by preventing him from touring with singer...