Controversy Erupts Over Kehlani’s Slope Day Performance at Cornell

Ithaca, New York — Kehlani has been announced as the headliner for Cornell University’s annual Slope Day concert, set for April 22, 2025. However, the decision has sparked controversy following concerns over the singer’s outspoken political views, particularly her pro-Palestine stance.

President Michael Kotlikoff addressed these concerns during a Thursday Student Assembly meeting, stating, “It’s too late to secure another performer.” The soulful R&B artist was booked last October, and the announcement was made on April 10, prompting blowback from students and parents alike.

Critics are unsettled by Kehlani’s visible support for Palestine, including messages in her music video released in June 2024, which features the phrase “Long Live the Intifada.” The term refers to Palestinian uprisings, particularly the First Intifada in the late 1980s and the Second Intifada in the early 2000s, both marked by varying degrees of violence and conflict.

In the controversial music video, over 2.4 million views on YouTube, imagery includes a Palestinian flag and dancers clad in keffiyahs, signaling the artist’s firm stance. Kehlani has made headlines for her direct statements, saying, “It’s f*ck Israel, it’s f*ck Zionism,” during a recent performance, highlighting her commitment to advocating for Palestine.

In a July 2024 Tiny Desk Concert, she reiterated her views: “I want to take a second to say free Palestine, free Congo, free Sudan, free Yemen, free Hawai‘i. Beyond an end to the ceasefire, we need an end to the occupation.” Such comments have raised alarms, particularly among Cornell parents in a dedicated group, with one expressing concern over the potential for anti-Semitism and the implications of hiring Kehlani.

The controversy intensified following the revelation that Cornell could face $1 billion in federal funding cuts due to accusations of anti-Semitism, a point made by The New York Times on April 8. President Kotlikoff mentioned at the Student Assembly that the University has not received formal notification on the funding freeze yet, but acknowledged the mounting concerns surrounding Kehlani’s appearance.

“We found out about the social media presence of this performer roughly three weeks ago,” Kotlikoff said. “It’s too late to secure another performer that will be acceptable or appropriate for Slope Day.” The administration attempted to mitigate potential political messages by modifying Kehlani’s contract to include a clause penalizing any political events during the performance, ensuring that the event remains politically neutral.

Despite the backlash, Kotlikoff maintained that Kehlani’s performances elsewhere have not been disrupted by her political beliefs, noting a recent sold-out concert at Northeastern University that was deemed “very successful.” He expressed confidence that Cornell’s Slope Day event could also be enjoyable and politically neutral.

Recent tensions on campus have already arisen around issues of expressive activity related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, leading to the detention of 17 protestors during a recent panel on “Pathways to Peace.” Furthermore, an Interim Expressive Activity Policy released by the University aims to regulate protests following concerns regarding pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus that escalated last spring.

As Slope Day approaches, the University community remains divided over the implications of hosting an artist like Kehlani, with many anxiously awaiting how the event will unfold amidst the ongoing national discourse around these sensitive topics.

Correction, April 18, 5:15 p.m.: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that Kotlikoff did not know about Kehlani’s political views until after the headliner was announced. The article has been updated to accurately reflect the timeline.