After fans, musicians, and corporations weighed in on drama surrounding Ed Sheeran, he has now been slammed by a family member.
First cousin Jethro Sheeran has labelled the musician a “coward” in a brutal social media post.
The comments come after American rapper Macklemore was removed from the tour following his “Free Palestine” remarks during a September 4 performance at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, which has been the centre of much controversy.
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That fallout has now grown further with his family member weighing in on the drama.
“Finally it’s all coming out! I’m ashamed of my Cousin Ed and what he’s done,” Jethro wrote in the lengthy post.
“Finally the world and all his fans see through him. He’s not a good person.
“He’s honestly a selfish individual with malicious, cunning ways.”
The 44-year-old said Ed had previously “screwed (him) over” and “made fun” of his mental health struggles.
“He is shady and he’s dropped Macklemore himself I believe 100% he’s a coward,” Jethro continued.
“In my opinion he’s a bad human. Just my opinion from my experiences.”
Jethro wrote that he felt Ed was “not a true Sheeran”.
Macklemore (R) was dropped from Ed Sheeran’s Loop tour. Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images North America
Earlier in the week, Sheeran insisted the decision to drop Macklemore was not his.
“Macklemore coming off tour was the promoter’s decision, it was not mine,” Ed wrote on Instagram.
“Macklemore’s contract for the tour was with the promoter, not me.”
He said stadium owner Robert Kraft objected to what he described as “hate speech”, with other venues subsequently following suit.
“I am not complicit. I have my personal views on this devastating conflict,” Ed said.
“Just because I choose not to speak publicly, it doesn’t mean I don’t have them, and it doesn’t mean I don’t care. Nor does it mean I don’t support causes in my own, personal way.”
Macklemore acknowledged that taking a public position could come at a significant professional price.
“Taking a side can cost you,” he wrote on social media.
“Money, brand deals, sponsorships, festivals, private shows, relationships and access. I’ve lost all of those things. But there is no neutral position between the oppressor and the oppressed.”
Other supporting acts have since pulled out, while some fans are attempting to resell tickets or seek refunds.
Sheeran’s Instagram followers have fallen by at least 300,000.
The post from his family member comes a day after Classic Hits Radio announced it would stop playing the British superstar’s songs following feedback from listeners over Macklemore’s removal from the tour.
“Our decision to remove Ed Sheeran’s music from the Classic Hits Radio playlist has been carefully considered,” Dave Kelly, group programme director at Bay Broadcasting, which runs the radio station, said in a statement.
“It is not intended as a personal judgment on Ed Sheeran, and we acknowledge his own explanation of the circumstances surrounding recent events.”
Classic Hits Radio attracts more than 379,000 listeners each week, predominantly aged over 35.
