R&B singer Kehlani is no longer allowed to perform at Cornell University in New York due to her pro-Palestine support.
The singer has been a vocal supporter of Palestine amid the ongoing war with Israel. Her music video for the 2024 single, ‘Next 2 U’, featured dancers waving Palestinian flags, and also kaffiyehs along with the message, ‘Long Live the Intifada’.
Kehlani was due to headline Cornell’s Slope Day celebrations on March 7th, which marks the end of the academic year. However, following a backlash, she will no longer be performing at the institution.
Cornell’s president, Michael I. Kotlikoff, shared in an email on April 23rd that “although it was not the intention, the selection of Kehlani as this year’s headliner has injected division and discord”.
Kotlikoff continued: “In the days since Kehlani was announced, I have heard grave concerns from our community that many are angry, hurt and confused that Slope Day would feature a performer who has espoused antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments in performances, videos and on social media.”
He made his decision after meeting with students who had organised the concert. They agreed that booking Kehlani had “compromised what is meant to be an inclusive event.”
Notably, student group, Cornellians for Israel, a student group, said on Instagram that the booking of Kehlani “effectively communicates that Israeli, Jewish and Zionist students are not a welcome part of that community.” They also raised $28,500 on GoFundMe to pay for a replacement.
Last year, Kehlani said on The Breakfast Club regarding her support for Gaza: “I have experienced a lot of pushback. I’ve experienced a lot of loss. I’ve experienced a lot of things that were promised and set up for this rollout and album.”
Kehlani’s political stances have also allegedly led to artists distancing themselves from her and rejecting collaborations, adding, “There were artists that I did reach out to, and someone on the team was like, ‘We don’t fuck with her’.”
Kehlani is yet to comment on Cornell’s decision to cancel the performance.
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