Kehlani has carved a unique space in contemporary R&B, celebrated for vocals that are both delicate and commanding, imbued with a distinct 90s sensibility. Her voice, often likened to the smooth sounds of R&B icons such as Brandy, Aaliyah, and TLC, resonates with a timeless quality. However, Kehlani’s artistry transcends mere nostalgia; she effortlessly navigates moody, retro-inspired melodies while also dominating today’s trap-infused rhythms. This remarkable musical adaptability has captivated a broad fanbase and solidified her position at the forefront of modern R&B.
Despite facing personal challenges, Kehlani’s dedication and relentless work ethic have been evident since her debut single in 2013. Her journey culminated in Grammy recognition, and Billboard honored her as a “Rulebreaker” at the Women In Music event, underscoring her significant impact on the music industry.
From heartfelt ballads exploring the complexities of love to empowering anthems of self-discovery, Billboard has curated a list of Kehlani’s 10 standout songs, each showcasing a different facet of her artistry.
“ANTISUMMERLUV”
The music industry quickly recognized Kehlani’s potential, even before her Grammy nominations. Hailing from Oakland, she was an emerging artist seeking her breakthrough moment. This came with the release of “ANTISUMMERLUV” on SoundCloud. This track, characterized by its relaxed tempo and jazz-influenced nuances, crafted by Derek “D.O.A” Allen, provided the ideal soundscape for Kehlani’s signature honeyed vocals. In this song, she subverts the typical summer romance narrative, choosing to protect herself from fleeting summer love, despite a clear attraction to someone special.
“Get Away”
Kehlani’s collection of ballads clearly illustrates her deep connection to 90s R&B, evident in both the production styles and her impressive vocal techniques. “Get Away” is a prime example, where frequent collaborator Jahaan Sweet crafts a sonic homage to Ginuwine’s 1999 hit, “So Anxious.” Throughout the track, Kehlani continues to nod to her musical inspirations, referencing actress Jada Pinkett-Smith in her prime and R&B artist Musiq Soulchild. She urges her love interest to embrace risk and commitment before the opportunity slips away.
“FWU”
Kehlani began to generate significant buzz with her Cloud 19 mixtape, sparking curiosity about this rising talent. “FWU” served as another compelling introduction, reinforcing not just her vocal and songwriting abilities, but also her versatility as a performer when she released a dance-centric music video. As the opening track of Cloud 19, “FWU” features Kehlani reassuring her partner of her unwavering commitment and loyalty.
Kehlani performing a dance move in the music video for "FWU", showcasing her triple-threat talent as a singer, songwriter, and dancer
“The Way” ft. Chance the Rapper
A standout track from Kehlani’s second mixtape, You Should Be Here, was undoubtedly “The Way,” featuring Chance the Rapper. Kehlani’s smooth, captivating vocals glide effortlessly over the mellow, textured production, as she expresses the infatuation that keeps her awake at night, consumed by thoughts of her love interest. To further amplify the single’s impact, Kehlani and Chance released a black and white visual accompaniment, featuring a seductive choreographed performance by Kehlani, dancing intimately with Chance.
“First Position”
Unlike many emerging artists at 19 who might lean towards mainstream pop, Kehlani chose to explore more mature and personal themes in her music, including sexual freedom, exemplified in her early track, “First Position.” In this song, Kehlani attempts to persuade a woman to join her for an intimate encounter, directly addressing her with the line, “Say baby, stop messing with those boys get you a lady.” For the sensual music video, Kehlani assembled an all-female cast. She explained to The Fader that the inspiration behind the video was to encourage young people in the LGBTQ community to be open and confident about their sexuality.
“Did I”
Shifting away from her signature ballads and romantic songs, Kehlani adopted a different approach with “Did I”—a vibrant, energetic track aimed at her critics. The Oakland artist exudes confidence and boldness, moving away from her softer vocal style to incorporate a rap-sing delivery. She assertively proclaims her dominance, stating, “You think we competing for rings, you think you playing in my league/ But you couldn’t catch up if I took a break and vacationed for weeks on top of weeks.” Kehlani continues to challenge her detractors, confidently asserting her hard-earned right to boast.
“You Should Be Here”
The title track of Kehlani’s Grammy-nominated mixtape, You Should Be Here, stands out as one of the most emotionally raw songs on the project. Here, Kehlani confronts the fading connection in a relationship, recognizing the growing distance from her partner. This emotional disconnect deeply affects Kehlani, who earnestly pleads for her lover to return and mend their fracturing bond.
“Gangster” (2016)
After years of releasing singles and mixtapes, 2016 marked a turning point for Kehlani. She received a Grammy nomination for You Should Be Here and scored her first Billboard Hot 100 hit with “Gangsta,” a contribution to the Suicide Squad film soundtrack. This smoky, haunting ballad perfectly captured the turbulent romance of Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) and The Joker (Jared Leto) in the movie. Kehlani shared with Zane Lowe that she was drawn to the song’s emotional depth, describing it as “this emotional quality to it, this raw, broken yet strong, haunting quality to it.”
“CRZY” (2016)
The beginning of 2016 was a challenging period for Kehlani. She experienced a public breakup with Kyrie Irving and was hospitalized following a self-harm attempt. However, she demonstrated incredible resilience, returning stronger than ever with the empowering anthem “CRZY.” This track marked her reclaiming control and redirecting focus to her music. Asserting her strength from the outset, she sings, “Everything I do, I do it with a passion/ If I gotta be a bitch, I’ma be a bad one.” The dynamic video, directed by Benny Boom, features Kehlani surrounded by friends and a birthday cake, celebrating her triumphs. “CRZY” was later included on her 2017 debut album, SweetSexySavage.
“Distraction” (2016)
As 2016 drew to a close, Kehlani released the catchy “Distraction,” a lighthearted, 90s-inspired track featuring vocal runs reminiscent of Brandy, punctuated by sharp drum beats and a prominent bassline. In this song, Kehlani expresses a desire for the benefits of a relationship without the commitment, explaining that her “life can get crazy” and she wants to avoid any distractions. Like “CRZY”, “Distraction” also found a home on her debut album SweetSexySavage, released in 2017.
