First-Time Grammy Winner Balances Mental Wellness, Motherhood, and Genius R&B While Claiming the Spotlight
- Kehlani is entering a new chapter in her career, marked by recent Grammy success and a renewed focus on artistic integrity and personal well-being.
- Several weeks after her wins at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, Kehlani reflected on her journey during an interview featured in VIBE Magazine.
- The artist’s breakthrough single “Folded” has been central to her recent acclaim.
Kehlani is entering a new chapter in her career, marked by recent Grammy success and a renewed focus on artistic integrity and personal well-being. The Oakland-born singer-songwriter, who won her first Grammy Awards earlier this year, is now prioritizing mental wellness, motherhood, and creating what she describes as “genius” R&B as she prepares for her next musical era.
Several weeks after her wins at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, Kehlani reflected on her journey during an interview featured in VIBE Magazine. She spoke candidly about reaching a point where continued effort no longer brought excitement, stating, “I thought what I had reached was the top of what I could reach,” and added, “You can do this thing for so long to the point where things stop exciting you because new things stop happening.”
The artist’s breakthrough single “Folded” has been central to her recent acclaim. The track earned her first pair of Grammys for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance, became her first Top 10 entry on the Billboard Hot 100 — peaking at No. 6 — and topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Its success was amplified by viral moments on TikTok and widespread critical praise.
Kehlani’s collaborators on “Folded” and related projects include legendary figures such as Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Dionne Warwick, Usher, Missy Elliott, and Brandy. These partnerships underscore her growing influence within the R&B genre and her ability to bridge generations of artists.
Beyond accolades, Kehlani emphasized her commitment to expanding the perception of R&B music. Discussing her upcoming self-titled album, she said, “I want people to take away that good quality R&B is actually genius,” highlighting her intention to showcase the genre’s depth through vocal harmonies, lyrical substance, and innovative production.
Her artistic evolution spans over a decade, beginning with her appearance on America’s Got Talent in 2011. Since then, she has released a series of acclaimed projects, from her 2014 mixtape Cloud 19 to her 2024 album Crash. Throughout her career, Kehlani has used her platform as a queer artist to foster inclusivity in music, collaborating with artists like Destin Conrad and Durand Bernarr to create safe spaces within the industry.
As she moves forward, Kehlani remains grounded in gratitude. Despite her rapid rise in recent months, she acknowledges that her success was built over years of dedication. Her current focus reflects a balance between professional ambition and personal fulfillment, particularly as she navigates motherhood and mental health advocacy.