Video summary
The video transcript presents a heated critique of Ed Sheeran's decision to remove rapper Melle Mel from his upcoming tour following a speech Melle Mel gave supporting Palestine at a concert in New Jersey. The narrator, who identifies as a long-time fan of hip-hop and an admirer of free speech, argues that Sheeran has betrayed the core values of music by yielding to venue promoters who demanded the removal of his friend of thirteen years. While acknowledging that Sheeran did not personally silence Melle Mel but rather allowed the "masters" running the stadiums to make that decision, the narrator views this action as a disgrace to hip-hop culture and a capitulation to corporate interests over artistic expression. The central conflict highlighted is between the desire for political neutrality in entertainment venues and the historical tradition of music serving as a platform for social commentary and dissent.
The narrator defends Melle Mel's right to express his political views, emphasizing that his speech was directed at criticizing the Israeli government rather than Jewish people or promoting hate. He contrasts this with the double standard he perceives in American society, where criticizing one's own government is acceptable, but supporting a cause abroad can lead to censorship. The transcript details how other major artists and support acts backed out of the tour due to pressure from promoters, leaving Sheeran isolated. The narrator expresses frustration that Sheeran, who has collaborated with politically outspoken figures like Eminem, 50 Cent, and Kendrick Lamar, chose to obey these venue owners instead of standing by his friend, effectively silencing a voice that was advocating for peace and dignity for all human beings.
Beyond the specific incident, the video explores broader themes regarding the definition of music and the role of artists in society. The narrator argues that stripping away political or social messaging from art destroys its very essence, as music has always been an expressive content meant to convey form, harmony, and rhythm alongside a message. He criticizes the philosophy that forces artists to remain silent on global issues like genocide or war, suggesting that such silence is often misinterpreted as complicity. The transcript concludes with a strong assertion that audiences should not be forced to endure political lectures if they seek escapism, yet this does not justify silencing those who use their platform to speak truth to power. Ultimately, the narrator calls for an end to the fear-based culture where artists are punished for having personal views, urging Sheeran to protect the freedom of expression that defines the art form he loves.
Read the full video transcript
Ed Sheeran, you're a [ __ ] It's as
simple as that. Well, if you've been
living under a rock for the past few
days, or maybe you just don't have
Twitter or Tik Tok, which I'm now
jealous of, Ed Sheeran is a [ __ ] Why,
you may ask? Mlemore, a name I haven't
heard since high school, maybe. And I'm
not going to lie, I absolutely hated him
back in high school because when he won
a Grammy for rap album of the year over
Kendrick Lamar, that was my personal
9/11 and I'm from New York. Anyways,
back to present day. Matt Lammore was an
opener for Ed Sheeran's tour. McLemore
is very vocal about his political views,
social views, pretty much all the views
you'll see if you go on TikTok. And he
puts all of those views into his music,
which music has been doing for thousands
of years. Music is art, freedom of
speech, freedom of expression, just like
the country that promotes it in the
country that he's performing in. On
September 4th, about 2 weeks ago, while
opening for Ed Sheeran's concert at
Metife Stadium in New Jersey, McLemore
gave a speech about Palestinians, pretty
much saying free Palestine. You know,
everything that people say online,
criticize the Israeli government. He
didn't criticize Jewish people. He
criticizes the Israeli government, which
I wish more people would do online
because I feel like there's this thing
online right now where you have to hate
Jewish people as if they're all to
blame. I think there's a specific word
for that, but I severely respect
McLemore for giving this speech.
>> And there isn't a drop of anti-semitic
thought in my head or my blood. Never
again means never again for all. Have we
not learned the lessons, my love, the
message is for peace, love for all human
beings to be treated with dignity,
respect, and equality.
>> And it looks like people didn't like
that. Even though he made it clear that
he loves his Jewish brothers and
sisters, this whole speech was about the
government. Anti-government music. Wow.
I I've never heard of that before. The
people getting mad are the ones that are
running these venues and the stadiums.
The quote unquote masters. You know what
they said? Pretty much remove McLemore
or you're not performing here. The same
stadiums that have housed Jay-Z, by the
way. The same Jay-Z that has criticized
US politics, the US government, the
police, the social system. He does this
in a lot of his music. Oh, but because
it's America, it's fine. You could
criticize the country we're living in.
That's completely fine. But a country
that's over 5,000 miles away, that's
where we draw the line. And guess what
Ed Sheeran did to protect his friend of
13 years? If you want to know how long
13 years is, that's the time between GTA
5 and GTA 6. He did nothing. After
McLemore's performances at my New Jersey
shows, venues on my upcoming tour days
communicated that they would pull the
shows if he was still supporting because
they're [ __ ] I was informed that
this stance was based on how McLemore
conveyed part of his message during his
performance. Yeah, his terrible evil
message. standing up for people, getting
bombs dropped on them, showing
absolutely no hate for anybody other
than the government that is performing
these hellish acts. I spoke with the
venues at length all week to try and
build a bridge. One of those people was
Robert Craft. I was also involved in
direct talks with promoters along with
activists on both sides to my [ __ ]
ass. Yeah, it sure is over here
conversating with a bunch of activists
and Robert Craft. This dude's jerking
off at his tour bus or he's getting his
little booty all licked. But the venue's
a promoter's decision was final.
McLemore coming off tour was the
promoter's decision. It was not mine.
McLemore's contract for the tour was
with the promoter, not me. I would never
let down the fans who had made plans,
nor would I abandon a touring crew and
the other support acts and musicians who
rely on me for work and to make a
living. I have always used my platform
and music to bring people from all
backgrounds and cultures together. And
this won't ever change. Those who have
been to one of my shows will know that
they are about unity, joy, escapism,
love, and a place for everyone to feel
welcome. I am not complicit. I have my
personal views on this devastating
conflict. Just because I chose 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. And I'm
going to say something not a lot of
YouTubers are going to say about this. I
have no fault at what he says right
here. You don't have to say anything. I
don't like this world where if you don't
say what we're saying, we're going to
kill you. We're going to take away your
platform. No, I don't have to tell y'all
what my political views are. I don't
have to tell you what countries I
support, what countries I hate. You
don't deserve to hear that from me.
You're not going to get my beliefs or my
opinions if you're not going to respect
the fact that I have them. There is a
reason I do not use my professional
platform for politics. My audience
includes young people, often children of
all backgrounds. What [ __ ] child is
listening to Ed Sheeran? Bro, I was
listening to 50 Cent when I was a kid.
Those who come to my shows do not expect
a political forum. I respect McLemore's
strength of purpose to stand up and
shout for what he believes. However,
there is room for multiple approaches to
the same end. Peace. I choose to use my
fame and platform to be a blaze of
safety and sanctuary. Yeah, that same
peace that he's preaching to maintain
diplomacy and keep conversations open,
not closed. If we only focus on shouting
the loudest, nothing will ever change.
There are different approaches to being
an advocate for change. For a respected
artist like Ed Sheeran, it's insane that
he's spitting on the very passion that
he takes part in. It's crazy to hear him
talk like this about music. Let's
protect the kids, guys. So, let's take
away the guy that is preaching for peace
for children. And like I said, I'm not
saying this from a political social
issue stance. I'm just saying it's not
like McLemore's over here on stage
saying drop those bombs on those kids.
No, he's saying stop that. And because
of all of this, everyone that was
supposed to be on his tour, including
his own band, they all backed out.
Phineas, I have no idea who that is.
Aaron Row, no idea who that is. Bo Aga,
no idea. Lucas Graham, Danish band,
never heard of them. So, when you have a
bunch of nobodies backing out of your
tour, a tour that's probably going to
make hundreds of millions of dollars, I
feel like you've done something wrong.
Artists must not be silenced when they
speak up for the oppressed. I have
decided to withdraw from my upcoming
tour dates with Ed Sheeran. I stand with
Palestine and its people. This video
isn't about politics or a genocide, war,
whatever you want to call it. I am
strictly talking about music and what
music is supposed to represent. Freedom.
Music has been political for literally
thousands of years. Music is all about a
message. And I don't understand why it's
so political and why it's so
controversial to just simply say we
stand with people that are being killed.
Whether you're for or against these
countries don't matter. We're speaking
for the children, the families that are
losing their lives. It's a call for
peace and positivity. Isn't that
something we should all want? I don't
think that's political messaging. I feel
like that's simply just a call for
peace. I think that's simply what music
is about. Coming together. So, I have a
message for Ed Sheeran. And yeah, I'm
sure he's going to listen to it. You
have over $400 million. Stop being a
[ __ ] and stand for something. Have a
backbone. You'll do music with Eminem,
50 Cent, Travis Scott, Meek Mill, ALL
GUYS THAT criticize governments. They
talk about social issues and all of
their music, which you performed with
before, but you're going to obey your
masters when a friend of over 13 years
gets kicked off of your tour. You're
going to listen to these nobodies
running these venues. By the way, let me
just say this. Who the [ __ ] is going to
an Ed Sheeran concert in 2026? Who the
[ __ ] is going to an Ed Sheeran concert
in any time period? And I'm not going to
lie, I FEEL THE SAME WAY ABOUT MCLEMORE.
And I'm taking a side today. Just
because of this situation, I'm not going
to automatically become a fan of
McLemore. No, I still think his music is
booty juice. I'm on anybody's side that
practices free speech as long as that
free speech isn't putting other people
in harm. Ed Sheeran, you're a disgrace
to hip-hop. You spit in the face of
every single hip-hop artist you have
worked with. Hip-hop music in general is
all about free speech, freedom of
expression. You want to allow people to
take away our free speech, our voices.
You're taking away the voices of John
Lennon, Marvin Gay, Bob Marley, NWA,
Raise Against the Machine, Beyonce,
Kendrick Lamar, Bruce Springsteen, Lady
Gaga, System of a Down. All artists with
political messaging in their music. It's
all about sticking it to the man. [ __ ]
the government. You don't have to agree
with their music to agree with free
speech. I've listened to Immortal
Technique in NWA my entire life. Do you
think I'm over here wanting to unload a
clip on a bunch of cops just because I
listen TO THEIR MUSIC? NO. I HAVE A
FAMILY IN THE police force. I love the
police. Whether that gets me controversy
or not, Ed Sheering allowing these slave
masters to have this much power, it's
destroying the meaning of music. I never
liked him before. I never liked his
music, guys. I mean, breaking news. I
don't listen to Ed Sheeran, but I
especially hate him now. And listen
guys, I never talk about these issues. I
want to look at every single situation
on this channel outside the lens of
political bias or social issue bias or
any bias at all. I want to be totally
objective. You're not going to get a
free this country or [ __ ] this country
out of me. I'm pro this president. I'm
anti- this president. You're not going
to get any of that out of me. That's
between my wife and I. You're not going
to get my opinions if you refuse to
accept them. Whether you're on the right
side of politics or the left, whether
you agree with free Palestine or not,
you shouldn't be on the side of Ed
Sheeran on this. The side of obeying
your master, bending over for the suits
and ties with their blood money. I'm not
saying Ed Sheeran needs to be outspoken
about his political views, about the
wars, about the genocide, like every
virtue signaling celebrity does just to
get a big pop from their fans and to
increase their numbers, but at least
protect the passion that you're taking
part in, which is music, instead of
killing the core of it, which is freedom
of speech and expression. So, now let's
get to the fun part of the video. We're
going to look at some tweets on our
favorite app, Twitter. I'm not an Ed
Sheeran fan by any stretch, but he's
right. People go to gigs to listen to
music, not have some jumped up
millionaire's political views rammed
down their throats. I would normally
agree with this until you look at the
situation from the outside. So, remember
all of those names I brought up before?
Bob Marley, Bruce Springsteen, John
Lennon, Marvin Gay. I guess you're
saying they shouldn't have a platform.
No, because they're talking about real
[ __ ] We shouldn't be going to their
concerts. We're just trying to escape.
Music has been about real [ __ ] before
your grandparents were alive. Let's
Google real quick. What is music? Music
is the art of arranging sounds at time
that create a combination of form,
harmony, melody, rhythm, and expressive
content. Expressive content. So, you're
taking away the very definition of
music, which is expressive content. All
because McLemore's music in particular
isn't the type of messaging that you
agree with or you're behind. You're
saying that he has no place performing
at that concert, which is political
itself in a way because you're saying if
people don't agree with how you feel
about the world, then they shouldn't be
able to perform. You're creating
barriers for music. Music is supposed to
have no barriers. You don't understand
what it is that you're showing up to. A
music festival, a concert. In the past
year or so, I have said things related
to Free Palestine. It makes me think
back to one situation in particular. I
was in Japan at the time and I remember
something devastating happened in Japan
and I was really close to it and I had
friends that were literally there. So I
made like a whole tweet and an Instagram
post talking about it and people were
mad that I talked about that but not
Palestine and it really pissed me the
[ __ ] off. I don't need to speak about
anything. That's not me being a coward.
That's me just not wanting to share it
with people that don't have an open
mind, that don't accept the fact that
everybody has different opinions. And I
hate this whole philosophy of if you say
nothing, that means you're on their
side. I don't like the fact that I have
to say something that everybody agrees
with. And if I don't say what they're
saying, I'm public enemy number one.
That's why you're never going to see
these videos of mine where I'm saying
what everybody else on TikTok and every
other celebrity is saying. I'm not
taking any part in that. And if you have
a problem with that, there's plenty of
YouTubers on this platform that'll say
whatever it is to get their numbers up
and to get public approval. That's just
not me. You know, I look at the
situation like this. If I'm going on
tour with a friend of mine that I was
friends with with over 10 years and they
got kicked off for a bunch of [ __ ]
I'm the [ __ ] man. I'm the guy
making over $400 million. I'm taking a
stance on this [ __ ] Who the [ __ ] are
you? Some guy that owns the building
that I'm performing in. I'll perform
outside in the [ __ ] parking lot. I'll
perform at the beach. I don't like the
fact that Ed Sheeran gave these people
the power to do things like this. We
don't want this guy performing here
because we don't agree with what he's
saying.
>> Yes, master. Okay, [ __ ] [ __ ] And
lastly, I just want to make this as
clear as the sky is blue. All this video
was about was me protecting what I'm in
love with, which is music. I've been in
love with music since I was a child.
Writing music was my way of letting my
feelings out, saying things that I
wouldn't normally say. It's an art form,
just like art has been for thousands of
years. It's a freedom of expression.
this political messaging and social
messaging in the art. You use music as a
way to speak. The second you silence
that, you're destroying the definition
of music. But I know there's still going
to be people in my audience online that
are going to make this about politics.
And we don't want to listen to this at a
concert. We just want to escape. Go to a
Wiggles concert. Then go to a Disney
movie. If your kid can't handle somebody
talking about the world for a minute,
maybe you're raising a [ __ ] And yeah,
guys, that's pretty much it. I'm going
to be covering topics like this pretty
much every day. If you're cool with
that, if you're interested with that,
hit that subscribe button, like the
video for the algorithm, and that's
about it. Scionada.