Kehlani Expresses That Their 10-Year Career in R&B Is Often Underappreciated

Kehlani believes their long-standing presence in R&B is often “overlooked.” In a conversation with Rolling Stone on December 12, the artist discussed the lack of recognition for their duration in the genre.

Kehlani expressed a desire to “rewrite” their narrative with the upcoming release of their fifth studio album, expected in the spring. When asked what they hoped to change, the Oakland native stated, “I contributed a lot to R&B in the last 10 years, and I think it gets overlooked. I’m one of the few that are still remaining from my coming-out time [as an artist], and I think that’s important.”

They further noted the significance of their continued impact in the industry after a decade, mentioning numerous successful tracks, including “The Way,” “Honey,” and “Folded.” The latter track marked their first entry into the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, and Kehlani recognized that for many listeners, it introduced them to their work.

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Acknowledging their “decade-ish-long career,” Kehlani is aware of their “very specific fan base.” They explained, “I mean, these are some people that I have had to pass out my physical copy of my CD to when I was 19. These are people that have seen me go from a teenager to a mother.”

Kehlani remarked, “A lot of people have their opinions, and you’re not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, but I think that people that really can grasp me as a whole human, they love me in a different way, and I definitely attribute that to my ability to keep floating and keep thriving too.”

The upcoming album will feature Usher, along with tracks like “Out The Window” and “Folded.” Kehlani also hinted at contributions from Ne-Yo, Tank, and Jermaine Dupri, who have played a significant role in the songwriting process.

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