Kehlani gifts fans a new album on her 31st birthday.
The R&B singer dropped her latest project Kehlani, and takes us back to that nostalgic early 2000s hip-hop and R&B sound. The 17-track body of work features appearances from the likes of Lil Wayne, Usher, Missy Elliott, Brandy and many more. Executive produced by Grammy-winning producer Khris Riddick-Tynes, the album includes the hit single “Folded,” which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January 2026.
Among the album’s key tracks are the Brandy collaboration titled “I Need You”, a soft mid-tempo ballad, the Usher-assisted “Shoulda Never,” a bouncy tune co-produced by Babyface, and “Lights On,” a smooth track with a sensual, intimate vibe featuring rapper Big Sean.
The previously released single “Back and Forth” also stands out, mainly due to the Missy Elliott feature and the subtle nod to Aaliyah, whose early career Missy Elliott famously helped shape.
In an interview with Vibe Magazine, Kehlani confessed that her mission with this album was to put respect on the R&B genre.
“I want people to take away that good quality R&B is actually genius. It deserves to be respected at its core without having to be changed or modified.”
Throughout the project, Kehlani uses the music as a reflection of personal growth. “You’re about to hear a heart that’s been stretched, healed, and reborn. A voice stepping into its truth with no fear, no filter, and no apologies. I am Kehlani,” she says on the intro. It’s safe to say that with this project, the singer-songwriter is securing her place as a staple among today’s R&B heavy-hitters.
Kehlani is the singer’s follow-up to her 2024 LP, Crash, which featured the Grammy-nominated hit “After Hours.”
You can stream Kehlani now on Spotify via Atlantic Records.
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