Kehlani Parrish has become one of the most inspiring voices in modern R&B, preaching messages of self-care and sexual fluidity in ways that feel frank, funny, and real. Since going solo after leaving the teen-pop group Poplyfe, they’ve emerged as a master of contrasts across mixtapes and albums that match heartfelt revelations with futuristic musical and production flourishes. Following reflections on parenthood and broken-down relationships across 2020’s It Was Good Until It Wasn’t (“Toxic,” “F&MU”) and the healing themes of 2022’s blue water road (“everything,” “up at night”), they took an even more empowering turn on 2024’s CRASH. Songs like “After Hours” were specifically designed to be performed live, giving them a spontaneous edge. Kehlani maintains their signature directness on both the Christina Aguilera-sampling “What I Want”—a joyous statement of female desire—and the supple 2024 mixtape While We Wait 2. Through it all, their authenticity rings out loud and clear.