New York’s SummerStage nixes Kehlani gig over “security issues” from mayor
A Kehlani live performance in New York has been cancelled over “security issues” stemming from her pro-Palestine views.
Final month, it was revealed that Cornell College had cancelled a campus live performance that includes Kehlani attributable to her assist of Palestine within the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. That occasion’s cancellation made headlines, and has now immediately brought about the cancellation of one other gig for the musician.
New York’s SummerStage final night time (Could 5), took to social media to share that Kehlani’s June 26 present has been axed over “issues for safety and security points” from the Mayor’s Workplace.
SummerStage’s assertion reads: “These live shows are as a result of controversy surrounding Cornell College’s choice to cancel Kehlani’s live performance on the College, in addition to safety calls for in Central Park and all through the Metropolis for different Satisfaction occasions throughout that very same time interval.”
The fest continued: “We strongly and emphatically consider in creative expression of all types. Nonetheless, the security and safety of our visitors and artists is of the utmost significance and in mild of those live shows, the live performance has been cancelled… Whereas artists could select to specific their very own opinions, their views could not essentially be consultant of the pageant.”
In his letter to the pageant outlining his issues, that was obtained by Rolling Stone, First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro wrote: “We write to advise you that we now have safety issues about this occasion, given the controversy surrounding Kehlani’s scheduled efficiency at Cornell College (inflicting College officers to cancel the looks), the safety precautions wanted for an occasion like this in Central Park, and the safety calls for all through the Metropolis for different Satisfaction occasions throughout this identical time period.”
Mayor Mastro additionally voiced his intention to refer the matter to the New York Metropolis Police Division, which might decide the “standing of the Basis’s license” if “severe security issues” have been found. Resulting from SummerStage cancelling Kehlani’s efficiency, their license will stay intact.
NME has contacted Kehlani’s staff for remark.
Following the cancellation of Kehlani’s Cornell College gig, the singer shared a publish on social media addressing the matter: “I’m being requested and known as to make clear and make an announcement but once more for the millionth time that I’m not antisemitic nor anti-Jew. I’m anti-genocide, I’m anti the actions of the Israeli authorities, I’m anti an extermination of a complete individuals, I’m anti the bombing of harmless youngsters, males ladies… that’s what I’m anti.”
“If you wish to cancel me from alternative, stand on it being due to your zionism. Don’t make it anti-Jew. This can be a performed out sport. All this as a result of we wish individuals to cease dying.”
Her tackle got here after an electronic mail from Cornell College president Michael I. Kotlikoff to its college students was leaked to the media. In his electronic mail, Kotlikoff wrote that the reserving of the singer had “injected division and discord” at Cornell, attributable to her making what have been felt to be “antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments.”
In accordance with Kotlikoff, the rescinding of Kehlani’s invite to carry out comes after college students and members of “the group” voiced their anger and confusion “that Slope Day would function a performer who has espoused antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments in performances, movies, and on social media.” His choice to cancel her efficiency was made after spending “days speaking privately with many college students”.
Kehlani has lengthy been vocal and public about her assist of Palestine over time. In 2024, she launched a music vide for ‘Subsequent 2 U’, wherein she appeared in entrance of Palestinian flags and wore a go well with stitched with keffiyeh scarf supplies. The video additionally included the phrases “lengthy stay the intifada”, which is usually chanted at protests over the Gaza-Israel conflict.