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Kehlani Ashley Parrish

Biography

Kehlani was born in Oakland, California, and began performing publicly as a member of the teen group Poplyfe. After the group appeared on America's Got Talent, Kehlani pursued a solo career, releasing Cloud 19 in 2014 and You Should Be Here in 2015. The latter earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album. Kehlani's debut studio album, SweetSexySavage, followed in 2017, with While We Wait (2019), It Was Good Until It Wasn't (2020), Blue Water Road (2022), and Crash (2024) continuing the artist's catalog.


Kehlani's music draws from R&B while incorporating pop, hip-hop, electronic, and other contemporary influences. Their work has also extended into acting, including an appearance on The L Word: Generation Q. Across their career, Kehlani has collaborated with artists including Cardi B, Justin Bieber, and Syd.


In 2026, Kehlani released the self-titled album Kehlani through Atlantic Records. The album marked the artist's fifth studio album and continued an exploration of love, vulnerability, identity, and personal growth. Kehlani also received two 2026 GRAMMY Awards for “Folded,” winning Best R&B Song and Best R&B Solo Performance.


Kehlani has publicly discussed being queer and later identified as a lesbian. They have also spoken about being nonbinary and use she/they pronouns. Kehlani has publicly described their heritage as Black, White, Native American, Filipino, and Spanish.


BQW Impact

Kehlani's career contributes a Black queer and nonbinary perspective to contemporary R&B and popular music. Their public discussions of sexuality and gender have made those identities an explicit part of their cultural presence, rather than identities inferred from their music.


Their work also expands visibility for queer and gender-diverse artists within mainstream music. Through songwriting, recording, performance, and public advocacy, Kehlani connects personal experiences of love, identity, vulnerability, and community with a broad contemporary audience.


Notable Works

  • Cloud 19 (2014)

    Debut solo mixtape that established Kehlani's early R&B sound and launched their solo recording career.

  • You Should Be Here (2015)

    Breakthrough mixtape that expanded Kehlani's audience and earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album.

  • SweetSexySavage (2017)

    Debut studio album combining contemporary R&B with pop and hip-hop influences.

  • Crash (2024)

    Genre-spanning album incorporating R&B, pop, rock, and other contemporary influences.

  • Kehlani (2026)

    Fifth studio album, released April 24, 2026, continuing Kehlani's exploration of love, vulnerability, identity, and personal growth.

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