Kehlani Essentials
Kehlani Parrish has become one of the most inspiring voices in modern R&B, preaching messages of self-care and sexual fluidity in ways that feel frank, funny and real. Since going solo after leaving the teen-pop group Poplyfe, they’ve emerged as a master of contrasts across mixtapes and albums that match heartfelt revelations with futuristic musical and production flourishes. Following reflections on parenthood and broken-down relationships across 2020’s <i>It Was Good Until It Wasn’t</i> (“Toxic”, “F&MU”) and the healing themes of 2022’s <i>blue water road</i> (“everything”, “up at night”), they took an even more empowering turn on 2024’s <i>CRASH</i>. Songs like “After Hours” were specifically designed to be performed live, giving them a spontaneous edge. Kehlani maintains their signature directness on both the Christina Aguilera-sampling “What I Want”—a joyous statement of female desire—and the supple 2024 mixtape <i>While We Wait 2</i>. Through it all, their authenticity rings out loud and clear.