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Legendary music producer Brian Eno on Ed Sheeran, Macklemore and Robert Kraft.

Frank Barat

117,783 views

In this episode, I talk to legendary music producer Brian Eno about the recent controversies involving Ed Sheeran, Macklemore and Robert Kraft, touching on themes of white privilege, power, and the role of artists in social justice. We talk about this in the broader context of zionism and the importance of genuine activism over performative gestures.

00:00 Introduction and overview of the controversy
02:04 The role of Ed Sheeran and his handling of the situation
03:47 The influence of money and power in political conflicts
05:59 The shifting attitudes towards Palestine in the UK
07:46 The impact of Israeli policies and Zionism
09:53 The internal Jewish debates about Zionism
11:56 The importance of genuine activism over performative gestures
14:09 Historical context of Zionism and Jewish identity
16:01 The responsibilities of artists and public figures
18:13 The significance of internal and external solidarity movements
20:04 Practical steps for effective activism
22:01 Conclusion: Action over words and the future of activism

20 Comments

@basfinnis 7 days ago

Sheeran played at Craft's wedding. He knows exactly what he's doing.

@too-d2l 8 days ago

"What are you willing to risk?
What you willin' to give?
What if you were in Gaza?
What if those were your kids?"-🌹Hind Hall

@chizmo7 8 days ago

Sheeran is a big boy. He is not a child. He’s making millions. He must be held accountable for his actions. And yes, Kraft is a huge part of the problem but Ed does not get a free pass.

@maho7694 7 days ago

“It’s an artists duty to reflect the times in which we live.” (Nina Simone)

@f.m.9531 8 days ago (edited)

I did become educated about Robert Kraft. By Sabby Saby, Jimmy Dore, Due Dissidents, George Galloway and others.

@wideberth5941 8 days ago

No, I disagree. Sheeran deserves every bit of criticism. He's far from naive, he's taken the money for an age. We all make choices. He made the wrong one.

@Fame_856 8 days ago

"Take your time" while humans are being slaughtered is a very privileged view indeed.

@robertwelch2111 7 days ago

Music for Airports has been with me since high school (I’m 64 now). Thank you, Eno, for your music and for being a constant voice against apartheid, ethnic cleansing and genocide!

@polska4968 8 days ago

I'm Irish , so why the fuck has it taken so long for people to wake up to this, is it a guilt complex that everyone is saying it now ? ya should of used your brain to figured it out ages ago , and that not this crap of 7th october , its been happening for nearly a century

@MazzieStarrr 7 days ago

Sheeran is not naive. The whole world can see what is going on.

@michellenorris8471 7 days ago

Ed Sheeran claims he wants to be 'apolitical' but he has done a fundraising concert for Ukraine.
''Child casualties in Ukraine are estimated to be approximately 500 in the first 2 years since February 2022.
Child casualties in Gaza are estimated to be approximately 15,000 in the first 6 months since October 2023.''
Source: A quote from Professor Norman Finkelstein on the YouTube channel Media Moh on the 12th February 2026.

@veganjohnny 8 days ago (edited)

Wasnt it Pete Seeger that said, a while ago, "which side are you on?" Sheeran's choices, much before the Macklemore fiasco, put him in a position where his priorities were obviously commercial, careerist and political. Macklemore simply exposed him as he is.
Sheeran wants to "be friends" with everybodys, just like Eno wants to be Sheerans friend: "if you were able to avoid whats been going on for the last 3 years (a genocide), you could still take the israeli government line". Another Eno pearl: "It's not israel that is the problem, it's zionism that is a problem." It's beyond disgusting that in this point in time Eno is another white man centering on "jewishness vs zionism" instead of addressing the ACTUAL VICTIMS OF GENOCIDE front and center.

@njigyfd 8 days ago

Thank you Mr. Barat - this is a good interview, and I appreciated your perspective and approach both to your guest and to the issue. Respect

@lionellodge 5 days ago

" I always think nobody can change the world by themselves. And a lot of people don't have much power. I understand that. They don't have the mic in their hands. But if you can't do it yourself, find the people who are doing it and help them. Help them in any way you can." I love Brian for so many reasons, and this quote is another of those reasons.

@roywilding3039 7 days ago

There is one thing I've noticed in the world of culture, including actors and rock stars, is that the ones with real talent can be free without fear or beholden to anyone, say what they bloody well think. The ones who are from the music manufacturing industry or have rich powerful people opening doors for them,are terrified that they wake up naked in the middle of a crowded square of a city some place.

@hayleymathieson 8 days ago

I adore Brian Eno but I disagree with him regarding Ed Sheeran being naive. He was very outspoken on Ukraine and has been on other issues such as trans issues. All important issues but this is an online genocide. The worst of crimes played out on our screens. Naivety is not an excuse. Of course it is not about one man but this guy has a huge following and a multi millionaire. I find his recent response on stage both cowardly and phony.
Where were all the voices before? Two+ years! Come on! How many children remain buried under all the rubble?

@cjbeat99 5 days ago

I think the problem in giving people “time” to come around, is the people in Palestian are out of time. How much longer can they continue to live in these horrific conditions

@J03Nelson 7 days ago

Thanks for the clarity, Brian.

@brutallyremastered4255 8 days ago (edited)

I don't get it: if the Pop singer can make a judgment on which side of the Ukraine/Russia maelstrom to place himself why can he be coy over the situation of Occupied Palestine which has been going on for a very long time?

The question is pertinent as both positions favour the Western PTB.