The Big Apple has pulled the plug on the planned controversial Central Park concert featuring Jew-bashing performer Kehlani — after pressure from City Hall, The Post has learned.
The City Park’s Foundation, a taxpayer-funded organization, canceled the Summer Stage benefit concert, which was billed as “PRIDE WITH KEHLANI,” after intense fallout from the announcement, sources said.
The move comes just hours after the Adams administration sent a letter to the foundation, which was obtained by The Post, threatening to pull the licenses for all of the summer series’ shows over the concert.
“We write to advise you that we have security concerns about this event, given the controversy surrounding Kehlani’s scheduled performance at Cornell University (causing University officials to cancel the appearance), the security precautions needed for an event like this in Central Park, and the security demands throughout the City for other Pride events during this same period of time,” First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro wrote in the May 5 letter.
The foundation later said in a statement, “We strongly and emphatically believe in artistic expression of all kinds.
“However, the safety and security of our guests and artists is of the utmost importance and in light of these concerns, the concert has been cancelled.”
Kehlani is known for her controversial music video that begins with “Long live the Intifada,” which invokes violent acts on the Jewish community.
She also has infamously shared a map online that eliminates the state of Israel and refused to condemn Hamas for the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre.
City Councilwoman Julie Menin (D-Manhattan) praised nixing the singer’s event, saying, “Cancelling this concert was 100 percent the correct course of action.
“City parks should celebrate inclusivity and not seek to eradicate or denigrate any community with hate speech,” she said, adding, “Taxpayer dollars should not be utilized to promote hate speech against any group.”
Kehlani had another concert canceled at Cornell University for an end-of-year bash after pushback from the student body.
The city and Park’s Foundation have both said they played no role in picking the performer.
The summer series is funded by public funds, and the foundation is used as a fundraising arm for the city’s Parks Department.
According to a licensing agreement between the Parks Department and the Central Park Foundation, the city can audit the group at any time and terminate the deal for any reason as long as they give a 25-day heads-up.
The city required approval for concessional “food, beverage & merchandise” — but shockingly, the deal didn’t call for the same oversight with artists.
Mayor Adams’ press secretary, Kayla Mamelak, said the administration is “grateful” to the foundation for acknowledging safety issues and canceling the Central Park show.
“We look forward to an exciting lineup of other performances this summer,” she added.
The mayor has seen addressing Jewish vitriol as a key strategy for his longshot re-election bid, even mulling a second independent line on the November ballot dubbed EndAntiSemitism.
The voter bloc is expected to play an influential role in the general election as Democratic frontrunner Andrew Cuomo and Hizzoner both jockey for its support.
