MUNA, Angelica Ross and Sara Ramírez are among those who have signed an Artists Against Apartheid statement denouncing the cancellation of the pro-Palestinian singer’s show
BY NIC CROSARA, IMAGE VIA YOUTUBE
Since October 2023, celebrities such as Hunter Schafer, Nicola Coughlan and Cynthia Nixon have all called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Non-binary lesbian musician Kehlani has arguably been one of the loudest voices in their industry when it comes to pro-Palestine advocacy.
The musician has constantly called out other celebrities for their silence on the matter. On 15 October 2023, the singer took to their Instagram stories and addressed their industry peers: “What the f— is wrong with y’all? You’re being silent for the sake of money and business like that amounts to what the f— is going on. There’s an insane amount of unchecked privilege on literal f—ing display. It is gut-wrenching; it is disgusting.”
Kehlani was supposed to perform at Cornell University’s annual “slope day” earlier this month. However, university president Michael Kotlikoff pulled the booking after the singer allegedly “espoused antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments in performances, videos, and on social media.”
Michael appeared to be referencing Kehlani’s unapologetically queer and pro-Palestine Next 2 U music video. The video featured backup dancers waving the Palestinian flag and keffiyehs and featured verse from Palestinian-American poet Hala Alyan.
![Kehlani - Next 2 U [Official Music Video]](https://i0.wp.com/i.ytimg.com/vi/MpI7ekFG8A0/hqdefault.jpg?w=640&ssl=1)
In response, Kehlani posted a video to Instagram saying: “I’m being asked and called to clarify and make a statement yet again for the millionth time that I am not antisemitic nor anti-Jew,” they said. “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.”
Kehlani was also set to perform at an upcoming Pride event in New York’s Central Park – this has now been cancelled after New York City’s mayor Eric Adams raised security concerns about the star’s performance.
The organisers of Pride With Kehlani took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to announce the cancellation. “We have been notified by the Mayor’s Office that they have security and safety issues regarding the June 26 Kehlani concert,” they wrote. “Those concerns are due to the controversy surrounding Cornell University’s decision to cancel Kehlani’s concert.” “We strongly and emphatically believe in artistic expression of all kinds. However, the safety and security of our guests is of utmost importance.”
Once the statement was released, multiple musicians spoke up in support of Kehlani. Rapper Macklemore took to Instagram on 9 May, writing: “They aim to villainize and silence musicians by cancelling shows, pulling them from festivals and warning them – this is what happens if you speak up. I’m riding with Kehlani and anyone else that has a backbone.”
Since then, many of Kehlani’s industry peers have signed an Artists Against Apartheid statement that denounces the cancellation of the Pride show. Signees include MUNA, Angelica Ross and Sara Ramírez and many more.
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