The Grammy-nominated singer Kehlani, originally planned to headline the Slope Day Concert, has now been canceled for the show by Cornell University. Slope Day at Cornell University has become a decidedly political event in what had been developing into a wild party to end the academic year. The move, conveyed in an all-campus email by Cornell President Michael I. Kotlikoff, follows a surge of criticism that had been tied to Kehlani’s expressed opposition to Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Without specifically citing comments, Kotlikoff said the presence of the artist had been divisive instead of bringing people together.

“This was not the decision of CUPB, and it was not our goal, but it is the decision of the university, and this year Slope Day has been infiltrated with division and discord as a result,” he wrote. “And for that reason, I’m rescinding Kehlani’s invitation.” Slope Day is a generations-old tradition at Cornell a student-organized, music filled event that inaugurates the end of undergraduate classes. It’s usually a time of collective joy and unity. But this year’s celebration is ensnared in the larger cultural and political conversation around activism and free expression. Some students say removing Kehlani is a small price to pay to maintain campus harmony. To others, it amounts to censorship, shutting down political speech, and violating values such as academic freedom and open dialogue.

Check out this article: Shyne’s Political Hopes Dim as Lee Mark Chang Claims Victory in Historic Election

On campus, reactions have varied from disappointment to fury, with some tentatively trying to understand the numbers. Some feel the administration is giving in to pressure at the expense of artistic freedom, while others applaud the decision for keeping the emphasis of the event on celebration rather than controversy. For Kehlani, who has made a career out of music and unfiltered self-expression and activism, the fallout underscores the line between art and political effect. As the university announces a replacement headliner, This year’s Slope Day will be remembered for the broader questions it raised about who gets to speak, who gets to perform, and what it means to take a stand.

In a moment that sent everyone scrambling for words, Wiz Khalifa recently stopped through The Joe Budden Podcast. As he praised his forthcoming sequel to the highly anticipated Kush + Orange Juice, the Pittsburgh native nonchalantly revealed a figure that left the room buzzing: $250,000. That’s how much a verse from the Taylor Gang captain costs, and no video cameo is included. “I got worldwide songs,” Wiz replied nonchalantly, noting that his music is international. “People sing it in China or Brazil or New Zealand and Thailand and Germany [and] Norway and shit like Korea, you know what I’m saying?” It’s hard to argue with that reach, especially with his chart-topping “See You Again,” which can still be heard haunting playlists and international gigs.

These days, he’s pulling in $2 million per live show. It’s a number that shut Joe Budden and his boys up instantly. But it wasn’t just big numbers that made Wiz’s look stand out. It was a reminder of how far he’s come, stamping it out for years on mixtapes, collaborations, and a whole lot of hustle. Kush + Orange Juice 2 might be the newest drop, but the foundation was laid long ago. His career has been half relaxed charisma and half sharp business sense, and his brand today is as much about weed-friendly vibes as it is about smart, profitable maneuvers.

Check out this article: Wiz Khalifa Lights One for the Flat Earth Theory

Naturally, the episode wasn’t without its wackier moments either, Wiz also reaffirmed his commitment to flat Earth theories, spicing up a conversation that’s already pretty insane. But even that couldn’t overshadow the $250K for a feature, $2 million for a show, and a presence that straddles continents. Some may think the price is outrageous, while others might believe it’s just right but conventionally. Wiz Khalifa is raising the bar and leaving the rest of us to wonder.