Kehlani is calling out Rita Ora’s ‘Girls,’ which she felt was insensitive to the LGBTQ community.
The songstress took to Twitter on Friday (May 11) in a thread to express her feelings about the collaboration between Ora, Charli XCX, Bebe Rexha and Cardi B. “hate to be THAT guy but there were many awkward slurs, quotes, and moments that were like ‘word? word,'” she wrote.
every artist on the song is fantastic, and very much loved and supported by me… by all of us. but this isn’t about talent. it’s about choice.
— Kehlani (@Kehlani) May 11, 2018
hate to be THAT guy but there were many awkward slurs, quotes, and moments that were like “word? word”
— Kehlani (@Kehlani) May 11, 2018
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In response to some criticism from other Twitter users, Kehlani expressed that she loves all four of the artists featured on the track, but “just think certain quotes weren’t progressive.” When another user began to slam Kehlani’s music, the “Honey” singer defended herself and asked to remove the personal attacks: “don’t make this personal. i have an incredible song out with one of the artists, and would love to work with the other three as well. & have met them all and respect them. there. were. harmful. lyrics. period. love y’all.”
let’s get into it my love. i didn’t write distraction about needing a woman to be a distraction because i wouldn’t take a woman seriously because i am not queer. i wrote about wanting a distraction from my career, but not having enough time for a relationship. “sis” https://t.co/4iGaV3qfou
— Kehlani (@Kehlani) May 11, 2018
and don’t make this personal.
i have an incredible song out with one of the artists, and would love to work with the other three as well. & have met them all and respect them.
there. were. harmful. lyrics.
period. love y’all. —— Kehlani (@Kehlani) May 11, 2018
Earlier in the day, Hayley Kiyoko also expressed concern over the song, noting that the lyrics “does more harm than good for the LGBTQ+ community … [it] fuels the male gaze while marginalizing the idea of women loving other women.”