The Kiffness stands with Ed Sheeran: ‘Tried to cancel me too’

The Kiffness – real name David Scott – has publicly supported UK muso Ed Sheeran, who has come under fire for his decision not to “pick sides” in the Israel-Palestine conflict. 

This follows the Grammy-winning artists’ support act, Macklemore, being dropped from his US concert tour after he pledged allegiance to Gaza.

Over the weekend, Sheeran tearfully apologised for his previous “complicit”, apolitical views, calling the conflict “unjustifiable”.

THE KIFFNESS SHOWS LOVE TO ED SHEERAN

On his Facebook account, The Kiffness showed love to Ed Sheeran, who has come under fire over his decision not to address the Israel and Palestine conflict, particularly as his support act for the US concert tour – Macklemore – pledged his allegiance to Gaza.

The Cape Town muso shared that he had related to the backlash on a personal and professional level.

Tagging the UK singer, The Kiffness shared: “Dear Ed Sheeran, I’m not sure if you’ll ever see this, but I wanted to send some encouragement your way. Last year, a small but very vocal group of Pro-Palestine activists tried to cancel me, too, but they failed. The online noise and intimidation tactics were intense, and there were definitely moments I wondered if doing the show I was booked for was worth it, but I’m glad I followed through. 

He continued: “Please don’t let them win. You’re an incredible talent and a genuinely good person. When I faced backlash, I at least expected it because I’ve been vocal about my Christian views in the past. It’s so much more unfair that you’re receiving this hate simply for choosing to stay out of it and mind your own business.

“You have a massive amount of support behind you. Don’t let the noise bring you down!”

The Kiffness also shared his admiration for Ed Sheeran after he publicly apologised over his stance at a concert in Philadelphia.

The South African shared: “People don’t realise how terrifying it is to walk out on that stage when you’re facing thousands of death threats, losing friends and family, and a wall of media and activist pressure trying to silence you. Standing your ground and showing up for the fans takes true bravery”.

BACKLASH, BOYCOTT OVER ‘ISLAMOPHOBIC’ VIEWS

In recent years, The Kiffness was accused of promoting Islamophobia and was hailed as an “Apartheid apologist” over his outspoken X posts.

He has been critical of the views of former DIRCO Minister Naledi Pandor, Gift of the Givers CEO Imtiaz Sooliman, and former South African Ambassador to the US, Ebrahim Rasool, whom he claimed “do the [Muslim] community no favours”.

In December 2025, pro-Palestine activists called for the Cape Town musician’s concert at Kirstenbosch Gardens to be axed amid the backlash.

The outspoken artist – who accused DIRCO of trying to “sabotage” his event – was the headline act at the Summer  Sunset Concerts.