'Off our playlist!': Fly FM pulls Ed Sheeran's songs off air, backs artists speaking up for Palestine

SHAH ALAM – Malaysian radio station Fly FM has removed Ed Sheeran’s music from its playlist while declaring its support for Palestine and artists who speak up for Palestinians, as backlash over rapper Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s Loop Tour continues to spread across the entertainment industry.

The station made its position clear through social media, saying it stood with Palestinians and artists who used their platforms to speak about issues they believed in.

“We want to be clear about where we stand.

“Fly FM stands with the Palestinian people. And we stand with artists who use their voice for what they believe in,” it said.

Fly FM’s decision came after Macklemore was dropped from the remaining United States (US) dates of Sheeran’s Loop Tour following pro-Palestinian remarks he made during performances at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium earlier this month.

Macklemore had spoken about the situation in Gaza and the occupied West Bank before saying “Free Palestine”, prompting opposition from some US venue owners.

Sheeran subsequently said Macklemore’s removal was the decision of the tour promoter and not his, adding that venue owners had indicated they would pull upcoming shows if the rapper remained on the line-up.

The controversy then escalated when all four remaining support acts on Sheeran’s US tour, Finneas, Aaron Rowe, Beoga and Lukas Graham announced that they would withdraw from the tour in solidarity with Macklemore.

Finneas, who is Billie Eilish’s brother and collaborator, said he stood with Palestine and its people, while the other artists also cited their support for Palestinian rights in announcing their departures.

The fallout has also reached radio, with Ireland’s Classic Hits Radio announcing that it would remove Sheeran’s music from its playlists for the foreseeable future following listener feedback over the controversy.

Fly FM’s move therefore places the Malaysian station among entertainment-industry voices responding to the dispute, with its position extending beyond the controversy involving Sheeran and Macklemore to the wider question of whether artists should be able to use their platforms to speak about Palestine.

“Music is supposed to give people a voice. Not take it away.

“We stand with Palestine. We stand with artists who speak up for them,” the radio station said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Macklemore has continued his support for Palestinians following his removal from the tour, pledging to donate USD$1 million from his tour earnings to organisations supporting Palestinians in Gaza.