Updated May 12: Multiple artists have signed an Artists Against Apartheid statement denouncing the cancellation of the ‘Pride with Kehlani’ show. Signees include Kneecap, Zack Fox, Yaeji, Indya Moore, Reggie Watts, and more.

“The real cause of this cancellation is retaliation against Kehlani for their courageous public opposition to the genocide being committed against the people of Gaza,” reads the statement. “We, the undersigned artists, cultural workers, and academics denounce this move by SummerStage and all festivals and institutions who attempt to silence the voices that bravely demand an end to this brutal genocide.”

The statement is now open to public signatures, add your name here. 

An upcoming ‘Pride with Kehlani’ event in New York’s Central Park has been cancelled over ‘safety’ concerns following Kehlani’s recent statement that they are ‘anti-genocide’.

The news comes in the wake of a threat from NYC mayor Eric Adams to revoke the event organiser’s live music license if they did not remove Kehlani from the lineup, as well as the related cancellation of a separate Kehlani show at Cornell University last month.

Kehlani was set to perform at Cornell University’s annual ‘slope day’ event earlier this week, but university president Michael Kotlikoff pulled the booking after the artist allegedly “espoused antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments in performances, videos, and on social media.”

Kotlikoff appeared to be referring to Kehlani’s 2024 music video “Next 2 U” in which the Grammy-award nominated pop artist appeared alongside backup dancers waving the Palestinian flag and keffiyehs. The video also opened with a verse from Palestinian American poet Hala Alyan, reading: “Keep your moon, we have our own. Keep your army, we have our name. Keep your flag, we have fruit and in all the right colours. Long live the Intifada.”

In response to the cancellation of the Cornell University event, Kehlani posted an Instagram video reiterating that their actions were not antisemitic, and were instead critical of the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people by the Israeli government.

“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,” Kehlani 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.”

The cancellation of the Central Park pride event followed soon after these statements. Announcing the rescinding of Kehlani’s booking on X/Twitter, ‘Pride with Kehlani’ organisers wrote: “We have been notified by the Mayor’s Office that they have security and safety issues regarding the June 26 Kehlani concert […] 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.”

In the wake of this news, multiple artists have come out in support of Kehlani. Grammy-award winning rapper Macklemore wrote on Instagram today (May 9): “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.”

Elsewhere, fellow rapper and anti-gun violence activist Vic Mensa posted on Instagram: “dear @kehlani. few artists, and even fewer at your level of success, have chosen to center humanity and courage as boldly and uncompromisingly as you have, let alone at the peak of their popularity.”