Cornell University Cancels Kohlani’s Concert Due to Singer’s Missile Controversy

Concert Cancellation

The scheduled performance by Klanie at a concert hosted by the University of Cornell in May of this year was canceled because of her controversial views.

• Read more: NEMAHSIS on the cover: “Now there are so many Palestinians, and they should be careful in order to be puppets”

The singer, who has been a vocal supporter of Palestine amid the ongoing conflict in Gazarael, was set to perform at the University of the Poyshch League on May 7 during the annual day of slopes celebration. However, University President Michael I. Kotlikoff rescinded her invitation in an email to students that was subsequently leaked online.

The complete letter was shared by journalist Kassy Akiva from X/Twitter, who labeled the singer as “anti-Israel” – You can see the full letter here.

University President’s Statement

In the email, President Kotlikoff remarked that booking the singer at Cornell had “introduced division and discord” due to her expression of what he deemed “anti-Semitic, anti-Israeli sentiments.”

According to Kotlikoff, the backlash against Klanie’s invitation arose as students and community members voiced their outrage and confusion about an event perceived to support “anti-Semitic, anti-Israeli sentiments in speeches, video, and social networks.” He claimed his decision to cancel her performance was made after “days of private conversations with many students.”

Kotlikoff emphasized that while any artist is free to express their views, including hateful ones, including her performance “jeopardized what should be an inclusive event.”

He concluded, “I understand that my decision will be lauded by some and critiqued by others. However, I believe this is the correct choice to ensure the safety and community on this event that encompasses the entire campus.”

In the coming days, a replacement for Klanie is expected to be announced for the celebration of the day of the slope at Cornell. NME reached out to Kekhlani and Atlantic Records for comments.

Klanie has been an outspoken advocate for Palestine for many years. In 2024, she released a music video for the song “next 2 U,” featuring Palestinian flags and an outfit made from KEFFIYEH fabric. The video also included the phrase “live intifada,” commonly seen during protests related to the Gazarael conflict.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpi7ekfg8a0

The video also Includes a link to an article by Al Jazira listing the names of thousands of children killed since October 2023. Klanie had intended to display all their names at the video’s conclusion but had to alter her plan due to time constraints.

In related news, the Irish rap trio Kneecap made headlines last weekend after their two performances at the festival were labeled as “blinded” by organizers due to their overtly political nature, including pro-Palestinian projections and calls for “Free, free Palestine.”

During their show in the first weekend at Coachella, the live broadcast of their set was cut after they expressed their political beliefs and made provocative statements about Margaret Thatcher. This led to the group providing their own live streaming for the subsequent weekends, working with political commentator Hassan Picker.

During their performance, they displayed slogans such as “Fuck ISRAEL,” “FREE PALESTINE,” “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people,” and “this is funded by the US government, which arms and finances Israel despite its war crimes.”

The group also took the opportunity on stage to declare: “The Palestinians have nowhere to go; this is their fucking home, and they’re being bombed from the sky… If you don’t call it genocide, what do you call it?”

One of the most vocal critics of Kneecap’s performances at Coachella was Sharon Osbourne. Taking to X, Osborne, who has Ashkenazi heritage, posted a lengthy message claiming that the band’s sets compromised the “moral and spiritual integrity” of the festival. She urged that the trio’s work visas be revoked.

“There are so many holes in her pompous speech that it hardly merits a response; she should listen to ‘military pigs’ by Black Sabbath,” quipped Mo Chara from Kneecap, referencing Osbourne’s husband, Ozzy Osbourne, the frontman of the iconic band.

Later, the group released a separate statement to BBC News Northern Ireland addressing Osborne’s comments, noting, “The statements are not aggressive, especially considering 20,000 children have been killed.”