Kehlani hits back at Rita Ora & Cardi B over their controversial 'Girls' song

The singer, 27, explained she has experienced both men and women in the past as she unveiled the track - which she penned two years ago - alongside co-collaborators Cardi B, Charli XCX and Bebe Rexha on Friday according to DailyMail.

As social media users praised the single for its "powerful meaning" to the LGBT community, others were less enthused, including fellow pop stars Hayley Kiyoko and Kehlani.

Kiyoko said the song's lyrics "belittled ... an entire community".

Ora hasn't spoken about the controversy yet, but she admitted Girls, featuring the lyrics, "I just wanna kiss girls," was the most open she has ever been with a song.

The song was written by the starlet two years ago, but she didn't feel like it would go anywhere until rapper Cardi B jumped on board.

During an interview with People, Ora - who has been dating songwriter Andrew Watt for over a year - was asked whether the song was linked to her own sexuality.

She said: "I knew people were going to look into it like that. I definitely said it because I can - and it was one of those things where, if I was 50/50… I'm not saying I'm 70/30.

"I'm 50/50, and I'm not gonna hide it. I'm not hiding what I am, who I am, if I wanna do this, if I wanna do that. That's just how it's gonna be."

Ora said she played the song to her pal Charli XCX who branded the song a "f***ing smash" and also wanted in on the track.

The fourth artist featuring on the song is Albanian native Bebe who the Anywhere hitmaker claims she has always been desperate to work with.

Ora added that she views the song as a "gender-fluid freedom record" and she didn't make it specifically for just women or men.

The ex-The Voice judge said that to her the song just represents being what you want to be, without fear of judgement, and being able to live your life how you want.

Ora wanted the single to feel like an anthem to somebody and feel that sense of freedom while they listen to it.

She said when creating the song that she took inspiration from Katy Perry's I Kissed A Girl because the hit was so fun and it felt like a statement.

Ora continued that she was definitely the most open she has ever been with a song.

The singer added that it was "narrow-minded" of people to assume because that's not what the record is about for her.

Due to the four women's hectic schedules putting the song together proved tricky at times but everyone was keen to get their version of the track finished.

Rita revealed that Cardi B's part of the track was finished just the day after this year's Met Gala and was put together in her hotel room in just half an hour.

Girls has received a warm reception from fans on Twitter who have dubbed the the song an "LGBT summer smash".

Amy Marsh, wrote on Twitter: "What an absolute song & a powerful meaning behind it!"

Daily Mail