Kehlani Calls Out Rita Ora Over New Song ‘Girls,’ Says Lyrics Were “Harmful” To LGBTQ Community

#RitaOra dropped a new song called ‘Girls’ this week and it features #CardiB, #CharlieXCX and #BeneRexha. The song is about being bisexual and is climbing the charts overseas, but singer #Kehlani believes that the song is more problematic than progressive and she explained why in a series of tweets.

“[I] hate to be THAT guy, but there were many awkward slurs, quotes, and moments that were like ‘word? word,'” she tweeted. Then, once social media users began to target her, Kehlani defended herself by saying that she had nothing against the ladies. Rather, she blames the writers for not being mindful of their words.

“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,” she began. “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 [and] have met them all and respect them. There. Were. Harmful. Lyrics. Period. Love y’all.”

Kehlani also sided with singer Hayley Kiyoko who also expressed concern over the song. She believes 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.” Kehlani retweeted it with “100.”

Rita didn’t seem bothered at all and told @Billboard that her song wasn’t as deep as the ladies made it seem.

“I just really wanted to show a side of me that just represents freedom and the belief [that you should] really be what you want to be,” Ora says. “It’s not actually that deep. It really is just about that. It’s a free message, and for me, really fun. It’s just a fun record,” she said.

What are your thoughts, Roommates?

https://twitter.com/kehlani/status/995051895944200192?s=21

https://twitter.com/kehlani/status/995052313529090048?s=21

https://twitter.com/kehlani/status/995053088774893568?s=21

https://twitter.com/kehlani/status/995059727535980544?s=21

Real talk 🌈 pic.twitter.com/9EbZd5dYZq

— Hayley Kiyoko (@HayleyKiyoko) May 11, 2018

TSR STAFF: Talia O. @theclosetratchet on IG
Source: https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8455631/rita-ora-girls-interview-cardi-b-bebe-rexha-charli-xcx