Cornell College has pulled the plug on R&B singer Kehlani acting at its annual campus live performance over her antisemitic and anti-Israel sentiments.
The five-time Grammy Award-nominated artist, who has been outspoken about Israel’s conflict towards Hamas in Gaza, was dropped from the upstate New York Ivy League college’s 2025 Slope Day festivities, happening Could 7.
“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 wrote.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration halted $1 billion in federal funding for Cornell amid the President’s ongoing anti-DEI marketing campaign concentrating on prestigious universities and schools.
Kotlikoff defined that his choice adopted a gathering with members of the coed board that deliberate the live performance. In accordance with the college chief, the scholars agreed that their selection had “compromised what is meant to be an inclusive event.”
Kehlani, actual title Kehlani Ashley Parrish, is an Oakland-born singer-songwriter who’s signed to Atlantic Information. Signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation administration agency final yr, she has collaborated with artists akin to Cardi B, Ty Dolla $ign, Charlie Puth and Probability the Rapper.
An unapologetic pro-Palestinian supporter, the artist wore a jacket adorned with keffiyehs as dancers waved Palestinian flags in her 2024 music video “Next 2 U,” which included the phrase “Long live the intifada” in its introduction.
The phrase “intifada” interprets into rebel or rebellion, which the ADL stated is a slogan for “indiscriminate violence against Israel.” However others think about it a cry for liberation and freedom.
The 30-year-old “Gangsta” star is scheduled to carry out on the Capital One Metropolis Parks Basis Summerstage live performance on June 26 in Central Park.
