Jim Jones has offered his own take on loyalty, money and friendship while discussing the controversy surrounding Ed Sheeran’s Loop Tour and Macklemore’s removal from the lineup.
Jim Jones addressed the situation during a recent episode of Let’s Rap About It, after the hosts were asked how they would respond if a business relationship collided with a dispute involving someone close to them. Complex reported on the exchange Tuesday as the Loop Tour controversy continued to draw attention.
Jones said his response would depend on the strength of the relationship involved. His basic position was that loyalty still matters, but he could also see a situation where an existing paid obligation is completed before the larger disagreement is addressed.
“If that’s gang then yeah we gotta figure some shit out,” Jones said during the discussion. He also suggested there can be more than one way to handle a difficult situation, rather than presenting a single rule that would apply to every business or personal relationship.
The conversation was prompted by the fallout involving Ed Sheeran and Macklemore. Macklemore was removed from the remaining U.S. Loop Tour dates after making pro-Palestinian statements during opening sets in New Jersey; tour promoter Messina Touring Group said venues had informed the promoter they would not allow concerts to proceed with Macklemore on the lineup. Sheeran has said the removal was a promoter decision and that he tried to help resolve the dispute.
The situation widened when several other supporting acts, including Finneas, Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe and Beoga, withdrew from scheduled appearances. Sheeran later addressed the turmoil during his Philadelphia concert, acknowledging mistakes in how the situation had been handled and saying he was listening and looking for ways to help people affected by the conflict.
Jones did not claim any direct involvement in the tour dispute. His comments were a response to a hypothetical question about how he personally balances loyalty and business when a public controversy puts the two in conflict.
