Kehlani

Kehlani Parrish has become one of the most grounded, inspiring voices in modern R&B, preaching messages of self-care and sexual fluidity in ways that feel frank, funny and real. Born in Oakland, California, in 1995, they embarked on a solo career after leaving the teen-pop group Poplyfe. Since then, they have proven to be a master of contrasts across a series of mixtapes and albums that match heartfelt revelations with an increasing degree of futuristic musical and production flourishes. Collaborations ramped up their star power, with Kehlani thriving opposite the likes of Chance the Rapper, G-Eazy, Charlie Puth and Ty Dolla $ign. Their induction into parenthood was tackled on 2020’s It Was Good Until It Wasn’t, while Kehlani embraced the power of healing on 2022’s blue water road. And after they took a more empowering turn on 2024’s CRASH, their self-titled 2026 record marked an overt shift towards joy, assisted by star names who inspired them. “For once, I’m not attached to some story or some public thing or some trauma or some deep explanations,” Kehlani told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe. “I have nothing but joyful things to say to you. I’m in such a happy place.”