Singer Kehlani pushed back after Cornell University cancelled an upcoming concert performance over what was described as “antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments.”
The five-time Grammy nominee took to Instagram, insisting “I am not antisemitic” in response to Cornell pulling the plug on the singer headlining its annual “Slope Day” year-end celebration on May 7.
The upstate New York ivy league college‘s president Michael Kotlikoff said he rescinded Kehlani’s invitation after hearing “grave concerns” that a performer “who has espoused antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments in performances, videos, and on social media” would be showcased.
The Trump administration froze $1 billion in funding for Cornell earlier this month amid an ongoing anti-DEI campaign within prestigious universities and colleges.
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Kehlani performs on stage in 2023. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
In a video posted Sunday, the non-binary artist stressed “for the millionth time” that they were not “anti-Jew” but is “anti-genocide.”
Kehlani continued: “I am anti the actions of the Israeli government. I am anti an extermination of an entire people, I am anti the bombing of innocent children, men, women—that’s what I’m anti.”
They also introduced a “Jewish Palestinian” best friend and a “Jewish engineer” on camera.
“I’m asked to clarify because this keeps coming up as a means to silence me, as a means to stop things that happen in my career, as a means to change the course of my life, and I just don’t believe that,” the “Gangstar” star explained.
Known as a fearless pro-Palestinian supporter, Kehlani wrote in the caption that in addition to the Cornell cancellation, “now there are attempts at other cancellations,” without providing further details.
“This is a played out game,” Kehlni wrote. “All this because we want people to stop dying.”
Kehlani, whose real name is Kehlani Ashley Parrish, is currently scheduled to perform at the Capital One City Parks Foundation Summerstage concert on June 26 in Central Park.
The 30-year-old Oakland-born singer/songwriter is signed to the Atlantic Records roster and was affiliated with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation management firm last year. The artist has collaborated with others including Cardi B, Ty Dolla $ign, Charlie Puth, and Chance the Rapper.
In Kehlani’s 2024 music video “Next 2 U,” the singer wore a jacket adorned with kaffiyehs as dancers waved Palestinian flags. The clip also included the phrase “Long Live the Intifada” in its introduction.
The word “intifada” translates into rebellion or uprising, but the ADL said it was a slogan for “indiscriminate violence against Israel.” Others consider it a cry for liberation and freedom.
