05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Anti-Israel singer Kehlani's taxpayer-funded Central Park concert canceled after Adams ramps up pressure
The Big Apple has pulled the plug on the planned controversial Central Park concert featuring Jew-bashing performer Kehlani — after pressure from City Hall, The Post has learned.
The City Park's Foundation, a taxpayer-funded organization, canceled the Summer Stage benefit concert, which was billed as 'PRIDE WITH KEHLANI,' after intense fallout from the announcement, sources said.
The move comes just hours after the Adams administration sent a letter to the foundation, which was obtained by The Post, threatening to pull the licenses for all of the summer series' shows over the concert.
'Long live the Intifada' is widely criticized as implying violence toward the Jewish community.
Kehiani/Youtube
'We write to advise you that we have security concerns about this event, given the controversy surrounding Kehlani's scheduled performance at Cornell University (causing University officials to cancel the appearance), the security precautions needed for an event like this in Central Park, and the security demands throughout the City for other Pride events during this same period of time,' First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro wrote in the May 5 letter.
The foundation said in a statement, 'We strongly and emphatically believe in artistic expression of all kinds.
'However, the safety and security of our guests and artists is of the utmost importance and in light of these concerns, the concert has been cancelled.'
Kehlani is known for her controversial music video that begins with 'Long live the Intifada,' which invokes violent acts on the Jewish community.
City Councilwoman Julie Menin (D-Manhattan) praised nixing the singer's event, saying, 'Cancelling this concert was 100 percent the correct course of action.
The City Park's Foundation — a taxpayer-funded organization — invited Kehlani to perform at the city's Summer Stage series in June for a benefit concert.
Central Park
'City parks should celebrate inclusivity and not seek to eradicate or denigrate any community with hate speech,' she said, adding, 'Taxpayer dollars should not be utilized to promote hate speech against any group.'
Kehlani had another concert canceled at Cornell University for an end-of-year bash after pushback from the student body.
The city and Park's Foundation have both said they played no role in picking the performer.
The summer series is funded by public funds, and the foundation is used as a fundraising arm for the city's Parks Department.
