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Kehlani has condemned ICE for “kidnapping” immigrants from school and their jobs.
In an interview with Los Angeles radio show Big Boy’s Neighborhood earlier this week, Kehlani was quick to criticize ICE as they discussed today’s tumultuous political climate alongside host Big Boy.
“They’re kidnapping [people] out of schools, and jobs, and homes, and churches,” Kehlani said. Big Boy added, “They’re kidnapping you now from going to do the right thing for your paperwork,” before Kehlani chimed back in to note how ICE is “kidnapping American citizens as well, it’s insane. Checking for Spanish-adjacent last names.”
Kehlani has remained outspoken against human rights atrocities this past year, even as it’s negatively impacted their career. Back in 2024, Kehlani had multiple shows canceled and shared that several collaborators ended up “ghosting” them because of their support for Palestine.
“Because of my political stance, I couldn’t get any features, but I guess I’ll save that for an interview ‘cause everybody fronted on me,” she explained on X at the time. “Every single person was like, ‘Yeah,’ and then they just ghosted me.”
Kehlani has completely turned it around this year. “Folded” became their first top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and racked up two Grammy nominations for the track. She also got Toni Braxton, Brandy, JoJo, Mario, Ne-Yo and Tank on the “Folded” remixes for the Homage Pack, and also collaborated with Cardi B (“Safe” from Am I the Drama?), Mariah Carey (“Sugar Sweet” with Shenseea from Here I Am), Leon Thomas (“Dirt on My Shoes” from Mutt Deluxe: Heel) and kwn (“Worst Behaviour” from With All Due Respect) this year.
Check out a clip from the interview below.
