Who Is Kehlani?
Kehlani Ashley Parrish is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and dancer. Kehlani began in the teen pop group PopLyfe in 2011 as a contestant on America’s Got Talent. Kehlani later self-released the mixtapes Cloud 19 and You Should Be Here, and signed with Atlantic Records. Genres include R&B, pop, hip-hop, and neo soul.
What Are the 7 Key Facts About Kehlani?
The table below lists 7 facts about Kehlani. Each row names an attribute, and each cell gives the detail.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Kehlani Ashley Parrish |
| Birth date | April 24, 1995 |
| Birthplace | Oakland, California |
| Education | Oakland School for the Arts |
| Early group | PopLyfe, fourth place on America’s Got Talent (2011) |
| Record label | Atlantic Records |
| Biggest award wins | 2 Grammy Awards for “Folded” (2026) |
How Old Is Kehlani and Where Was Kehlani Born?
Kehlani is 31 years old as of October 2026. Kehlani was born on April 24, 1995, in Oakland, California. The singer was adopted and raised by an aunt.
How Did Kehlani Start in Music?
Kehlani started in music as the lead vocalist of PopLyfe at age 14. The group finished fourth on the sixth season of America’s Got Talent in 2011. Kehlani attended the Oakland School for the Arts and first trained in ballet and modern dance. A knee injury in junior high ended a plan to train at Juilliard and shifted the focus to singing. Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, and Jill Scott are named as early influences.
How Did Nick Cannon Help Kehlani’s Career?
Nick Cannon, the America’s Got Talent host, funded Kehlani’s first studio sessions. Kehlani was effectively homeless in 2012 and 2013, then released the first solo track, “ANTISUMMERLUV,” on SoundCloud. Cannon bought Kehlani an apartment in Los Angeles and paid for studio time.
What Is Kehlani’s Career Timeline?
The career timeline has 8 milestones:
- Joins PopLyfe as lead vocalist at age 14.
- Finishes fourth on America’s Got Talent (2011).
- Releases the mixtape Cloud 19 (2014).
- Signs with Atlantic Records (2015).
- Releases the debut studio album SweetSexySavage (January 27, 2017).
- Reaches No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 with Cardi B on “Ring” (2018).
- Releases the fourth studio album Crash (June 21, 2024).
- Wins 2 Grammy Awards for “Folded” (2026).
Kehlani announced the Atlantic Records deal one week after releasing You Should Be Here on April 28, 2015. “Ring” became the first Kehlani song to enter the Hot 100 top 40.
Which Albums Has Kehlani Released?
Kehlani has released 5 studio albums and 4 mixtapes. The table below lists each studio album by title, release year, and Billboard 200 peak position.
| Album | Release year | Billboard 200 peak |
|---|---|---|
| SweetSexySavage | 2017 | No. 3 |
| It Was Good Until It Wasn’t | 2020 | No. 2 |
| Blue Water Road | 2022 | No. 13 |
| Crash | 2024 | No. 25 |
| Kehlani | 2026 | Not reported in sources reviewed |
These peaks come from the Billboard 200 positions listed on Wikipedia. The self-titled fifth album was released on April 24, 2026.
The 4 mixtapes are:
- Cloud 19 (2014)
- You Should Be Here (2015)
- While We Wait (2019)
- While We Wait 2 (2024)
Cloud 19 and You Should Be Here both received gold certifications from the RIAA. While We Wait debuted at No. 9 on the Billboard 200.
What Is “Folded” by Kehlani?
“Folded” is a single released on June 11, 2025. It peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. It won Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards. The Folded Homage Pack followed on October 24, 2025, with remixes featuring Brandy, JoJo, Mario, Ne-Yo, Tank, and Toni Braxton.
What Awards Has Kehlani Won?
Kehlani has won 5 major honors:
- Wins Best R&B Performance at the 68th Grammy Awards for “Folded.”
- Wins Best R&B Song at the 68th Grammy Awards for “Folded.”
- Wins Best Female R&B/Pop Artist at the 2026 BET Awards.
- Wins Video of the Year at the 2026 BET Awards for “Folded.”
- Wins R&B Song of the Year at the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards for “Folded.”
Kehlani also received the Rulebreaker Award at Billboard Women in Music in 2017.
Who Has Kehlani Collaborated With?
Kehlani has collaborated with artists across R&B, pop, and hip-hop. Examples include:
- Zayn on “Wrong” (2016)
- Eminem on “Nowhere Fast” (2017)
- Cardi B on “Ring” (2018)
- Justin Bieber on “Get Me” (2020)
- Missy Elliott on “Back and Forth” (2026)
Kehlani also appeared on the Suicide Squad soundtrack with “Gangsta,” which reached No. 41 on the Hot 100. Jill Scott, Omah Lay, and Young Miko appear on Crash.
Does Kehlani Act?
Yes, Kehlani has 2 acting credits. Kehlani guest starred as Ivy on The L Word: Generation Q in 2022 and had a cameo in Creed III in 2023.
What Do We Know About Kehlani’s Personal Life?
Kehlani keeps most details private, and public information covers 4 areas:
- Pronouns: Kehlani stated a preference for “they” over “she” in a 2021 interview.
- Family: Kehlani gave birth to a daughter in 2019.
- Relationship: Kehlani confirmed a relationship with British singer and rapper Kwn in October 2025.
- Identity: Kehlani identified as queer in 2018 and as a lesbian in 2021.
Kehlani is also vegan.
What Public Positions Has Kehlani Taken?
Kehlani has publicly supported Palestine. Kehlani signed open letters in 2023 calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. In 2025, Cornell University canceled a Slope Day performance, and a free SummerStage concert in New York City was also canceled. Officials in both cases cited their own reasons, and the cancellations drew public debate.
People Also Ask
How old is Kehlani?
Kehlani is 31 years old as of October 2026.
Where is Kehlani from?
Kehlani is from Oakland, California.
What was Kehlani’s first group?
Kehlani’s first group was the teen pop group PopLyfe.
What are Kehlani’s pronouns?
Kehlani has stated a preference for “they.”
Which Kehlani song won a Grammy?
“Folded” won Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song at the 68th Grammy Awards.
Who is Kehlani dating?
Kehlani confirmed a relationship with Kwn in October 2025.
Who Is Kehlani in Summary?
Kehlani is an Oakland-born R&B singer-songwriter, born April 24, 1995. Kehlani started in PopLyfe, released the mixtapes Cloud 19 and You Should Be Here, and signed with Atlantic Records in 2015. Five studio albums followed, from SweetSexySavage in 2017 to the self-titled Kehlani in 2026. “Folded” peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won 2 Grammy Awards.