Kehlani wants to clear the air about their political views after a scheduled performance at Cornell University was abruptly canceled.
On Saturday, April 26, the accomplished singer uploaded a video to Instagram and addressed Cornell's decision to rescind their invite to perform at the school's upcoming Slope Day. In the clip, Kehlani emphasized that they are neither antisemitic nor anti-Jew.
“I am anti-genocide, 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 declared.
“In fact, the very first Live that I did in the beginning of this genocide was with a really beautiful Jewish organization called Jewish Voices for Peace, and I still continue to learn from and work alongside really impactful Jewish organizers against this genocide," they continued. “I want to be very clear in stating that I do believe God has plans for me and that’s not gonna stop nothing that I have going on, but 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."
Kehlani ended the visual statement by confirming they're working on the follow-up to their 2024 album Crash. The California native's response came several days after Cornell president Michael I. Kotlikoff informed students and faculty that he had removed Kehlani from Cornell's lineup of performer for Slope Day in May. The New York Times obtained a copy of the email Kotlikoff sent, in which he said "the selection of Kehlani as this year’s headliner has injected division and discord."
"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 continued.
Kehlani has been a staunch supporter of Palestine since the Israel-Hamas war broke out in 2023. They touched on the subject and more with The Breakfast Club last year. Check out the interview below.