BIO: Kehlani

California-born Kehlani has been having her name flashed everywhere lately as one of the rising R&B talents of the new millennium. She originally started off her pathway to stardom as an aspiring dancer, but the aftermath of a severe knee injury prevented her from moving forward in that direction. However, in finding a new creative outlet Kehlani was encouraged to transition into the Oakland music industry where she quickly displayed a natural talent as a vocalist. By the late teens, she was already sharing the stage as a back-up singer for artists as renowned as Stevie Wonder.

Kelani’s name didn’t hit the mainstream though, until she auditioned in America’s Got Talent, one of the biggest reality shows in the country, as one of a girl group, PopLyfe. Her stellar abilities as the lead singer carried the group all the way to the finals, eventually finishing in fourth place. It was at this stage, when judge Piers Morgan advised her aloud: “I think you’ve got real talent but I don’t think you need the group”. Following her appearance on the show, it appeared she took this advice to heart, and launched her career as a solo artist with the release of her first single ‘ANTISUMMERLUV’ in 2013.

Over the next following years, she continued to release a number of well-received EPs, and make guest appearances on the tracks of colleagues, such as Chance the Rapper, until the release of her pivotal ‘You Should Be Here’ mixtape, praised as the “year’s [2015] first great R&B album” after it debuted at no. 5 in the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album charts. After its successful release, she was quickly picked up and signed by leading music label Atlantic Records, who quickly recognised her versatility as an songstress. Bringing us into 2017, Kehlani’s long-awaited debut album, ‘SweetSexySavage’ was finally released back in January, which was lauded by critics and her fanbase alike for the multilayered and unapologetic self-reflection on her own obstacles and achievements.

Recognising all the achievement and perseverance that Kehlani has executed throughout her short yet successful career thus far, we are honoured to have her hosting her official afterparty at Libertine tonight with us.