Kehlani Responds To Accusations Of Antisemitism: 'I'm Anti-Genocide'
Kehlani (she/they) was set to headline Cornell University's annual 'Slope Day,' but the invitation was rescinded after the university became 'aware' of the singer's stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict. This led to the following statement issied on Saturday (April 26) via social media addressing the escalating accusations of antisemitism.
'As I sit here working on my album […] I'm being asked to clarify and called to make a statement yet again for the millionth time. I'm not antisemitic or anti-Jew. I'm anti-genocide, anti-actions of the Israeli government, anti-extermination of entire people, anti-bombing of innocent children, men, women. That's what I'm anti,' said the 30-year-old before mentioning that they were confronting the recent cancellation with their Jewish-Palestinian best friend and Jewish engineer in the room.
Kehlani added, 'The very first live I did at 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.'
The CRASH singer seemed unbothered by the performance being cancelled and is focused on their new music. 'I want to be very clear in stating that I do believe that God has plans for me, and that's not going to stop nothing I've going on. But I'm asked to clarify because this keeps coming up as a means to silence me, as a means to stop what's happening in my career, as a means to change the course of my life and I just don't believe that,' they explained.
The video statement was captioned: 'ITS BEEN OVER A YEAR. From day one it's been clear.'
Kehlani brought up a series of 'attempts at other cancellations on top of the cancellations' that's occurred over the past year, but was adamant about being mislabeled as 'anti-jew.' The singer described that rhetoric as a 'played out game.'
Their stance on being anti-genocide was most notably seen in the 2024 music video for their song, 'Next 2 U.' Cornell's President Michael Kotlikoff used that as part of his reasoning behind the cancelled show.
'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. While any artist has the right in our country to express hateful views, Slope Day is about uniting our community, not dividing it,' Kotlikoff's statement read.
A new headliner has yet to be announced.
More from VIBE.com
Cornell Cancels Upcoming Kehlani Performance Over Singer's Support Of Gaza
Cornell University Faces Backlash For Booking Kehlani Due To Pro-Palestinian Views
Ye West Celebrates Adolf Hitler's Birthday By Spewing Antisemitic Remarks
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Trump Unironically Attends 'Les Misérables' As Protests Spread
As protests against his immigration policies balloon nationwide, President Donald Trump is seeing one of his favorite musicals on Wednesday night: 'Les Misérables,' the story of an anti-government uprising, abusive police and harsh imprisonment. Trump is going to opening night of the famous musical's one-month run at Washington, D.C.'s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, whose entire board of trustees he replaced in February and had them name him chairman. 'We've seen it many times,' Trump said upon arriving at the Kennedy Center with first lady Melania Trump. 'Love it. One of my favorites.' When a reporter asked him which side of the musical's conflict he most identified with, Trump laughed and refused to answer. 'That's tough. You better answer that one, honey,' he said, gesturing to the first lady. 'I don't know.' When another reporter asked how he felt about reports that some of the 'Les Misérables' cast would be boycotting the night of his performance, Trump said he 'couldn't care less.' 'All I do is run the country well,' he retorted. Trump received a mixture of cheers and boos when he took his seat at the theater. His attendance comes after he deployed National Guard troops to face largely peaceful protesters in Los Angeles and announced he was sending in Marines, despite pushback from local leadership. 'Les Misérables,' the musical based on the 1862 novel of the same name, tells the story of French peasant Jean Valjean after he emerges from a 19-year prison sentence for stealing a loaf of bread for his niece. Much of the musical centers around student demonstrations against the French monarchy. One of the musical's most recognizable songs ― 'Do You Hear The People Sing?' ― has a long history as an anthem at pro-democracy demonstrations. It's also an apparent favorite of Trump's, as he played the song right before walking onstage to announce his third presidential run in 2022. Several drag performers also attended the show Wednesday night to protest Trump, who announced in February there would be 'NO MORE DRAG SHOWS, OR OTHER ANTI-AMERICAN PROPAGANDA' at the Kennedy Center going forward. They received applause as they walked in to the theater, social media videos show. Vagenesis, whose government name is Anderson Wells, was one of the planned attendees. 'Theater is supposed to be a place of community, a place of storytelling, a place of celebration, joy, catharsis and it should be open and available to all,' Vagenesis told NPR on Wednesday. Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence similarly caused a stir when he went to see 'Hamilton' shortly after winning the 2016 election. He was loudly booed when he arrived at the Manhattan theater. When Pence was trying to exit the theater after the final curtain call, actor Brandon Dixon, who was playing the part of Aaron Burr, asked him to stay and delivered a message to him. 'We, sir, we are the diverse America, who are alarmed and anxious that your new administration will not protect us, our planet, our children, our parents or defend us and uphold our inalienable rights,' Dixon said. 'We truly hope that this show has inspired you to uphold our American values and to work on behalf of all of us,' he continued. Pam Bondi Warns Of More Arrests In California Amid Protests Against Immigration Raids Karoline Leavitt Snaps At Reporter For 'Stupid Question' About Peaceful Protests There's Growing Anger Over Flags Flown At LA Protests. Here's What Everyone Is Getting Wrong.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Kanye West Has Apparently Changed His Name… Again
Ye has apparently switched up his moniker yet again, nearly four years after he legally renounced his birth name, Kanye Omari West. In business documents obtained by multipleoutlets on Tuesday, the rapper was listed under the name 'Ye Ye.' West's chief financial officer, Hussain Lalani, reportedly filed the documents with the California Secretary of State. 'Ye Ye' was listed as the 'manager or member' of West's companies Yeezy Apparel, Yeezy Record Label and Ox Paha Inc. in the documents, according to E! News. It's unclear whether the 'Power' musician, who has not publicly announced his new moniker, has filed separate documents to legally change his name again. Ye's representatives did not immediately reply to HuffPost's request for comment. In October 2021, a Los Angeles judge approved the 24-time Grammy winner's petition to officially change his name to Ye after he requested the name change in August. Several years earlier, in a 2018 post on what was then Twitter, the artist had written, 'The being formally known as Kanye West. I am YE.' That same year, Ye spoke to radio host Big Boy about the meaning behind the name. 'I believe Ye is the most commonly used word in the Bible,' he said in the June 2018 interview. 'In the Bible it means 'you.' So I'm you, I'm us. It went from being Kanye, which means the only one, to being just Ye — just being a reflection of our good, our bad, our confused, everything. I'm just more a reflection of who we are.' Kanye West Says Wife Bianca Censori 'Ran Away' In His New Unhinged Song Kanye Confesses He Never Wanted Kids With Kim Kardashian John Legend Says Ex-Friend Kanye West's 'Descent' Into 'Antisemitism' And 'Anti-Blackness' Is 'Shocking'
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Fat Joe & Jadakiss Host Father's Day Lunch for 70 Families Impacted by Criminal Justice System
Fat Joe and Jadakiss hosted a Father's Day luncheon at Sei Less NYC on Wednesday afternoon (June 11) for 70 fathers and their families who have been impacted by the criminal justice system. The Joe & Jada podcast co-hosts shared words of wisdom and traded stories with the families on hand while munching on an array of delectable Asian fusion dishes at the Manhattan staple. More from Billboard Fat Joe & Jadakiss Team Up to Launch New Music, Sports & Culture Podcast Jewish Groups Withdraw From 2025 San Diego Pride Festival Over Kehlani's Support For Palestine Elizabeth Hurley Gushes About Being 'In Love' in Birthday Suit Picture Amid Billy Ray Cyrus Romance After posing for photos and selfies, some of the fathers even had the chance to play their own music for the pair of New York rap veterans throughout the afternoon. 'A lot of kids grew up, parents used drugs and parents in jail and all that — the fact that I had my father, a real leader in my household, and working and always kept me focused on the right things,' Joe said of his relationship with his father. 'Kiss reflected on the importance of helping reintegrate those who were incarcerated back into productive members of society. 'Just hitting that switch to let them know that they can come back and get right due to whatever hardships they went through,' Jada said. 'There's some hope now when you come back to get readjusted. Hopefully change your financial situation.' Joe also implored fathers who have fractured relationships with their kids to reconnect. 'Reconnect with your kids because sometimes kids can get bitter their parents were away in jail,' Joe added. 'You gotta find that bond. It's always there, but you gotta find that red tape to get in sync.' He continued: 'Start now. Forget if you messed up the last 10, 20, 30 years. Start now to be a productive father and get your relationship with your kids. … On New Year's everyone want to lose weight; I think Father's Day should be an adjustment with you and your kids.' Joe and Jadakiss hosted the event in collaboration with Sei Less co-founder Dara Mirjahangiry and the REFORM Alliance, ensuring that this Father's Day these families had something to celebrate. 'Working with Fat Joe, Jadakiss and REFORM to celebrate these fathers at Sei Less was truly special,' Mirjahangiry said. 'Ahead of Father's Day, we really wanted to shine a light on these fathers who have been impacted by the criminal justice system and support their re-entry journey with compassion. It was a powerful way to bond through culture, community and cuisine.' Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
