Even with only one studio album out, R&B star Kehlani is quickly becoming one of the most prominent names in her field. With the critical success of her debut album SweetSexySavage, the California singer has seen her star shooting upward over the last year.
Other artists in the industry have noticed as well. Along with her headline-making tour (and subsequent kiss) with Demi Lovato earlier this year, Kehlani has made her way onto the albums of multiple big names as a featured artist. Her most recent addition was “Ring,” her new feature on Cardi B’s instant hit album Invasion of Privacy.
The songstress’ range is evident on her various collaborations. From singing the upbeat, high-energy Hayley Kiyoko bop “What I Need” to the ethereal, faded Stormzy track “Cigarettes & Cush,” Kehlani is showing the world that she has the chops to handle any genre and work with just about any artist.
With a huge selection of collaborations to choose from, here are Billboard Pride’s favorite songs that feature Kehlani.
Hayley Kiyoko, “What I Need”
Two queer powerhouses on one stunning song means that “What I Need” absolutely makes our list. This song acts much less as a feature and more accurately as a duet. Kehlani croons her way through the song’s first verse and every chorus, singing with Kiyoko about wanting a female lover to come to terms with their own sexuality. It’s one of the standouts on Kiyoko’s Expectations, and Kehlani is a big reason why.
Eminem, “Nowhere Fast”
Maybe the most poignant song on this list, Kehlani’s collaboration with Eminem on “Nowhere Fast” is a commentary on the state of the world we live in, especially following the mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School. As the rapper lists off the various tragedies that plague our society today, the singer swoops in with a haunting melody, singing “Ashes blowin’ in the air / Our world’s on fire, but we don’t care.”
Zayn, “Wrong”
On this slow, sultry R&B jam, the former-One Direction member proves that he still works well with others. With Kehlani serving as the only collaborating artist on his debut album Mind of Mine, the two sing their way through a duplicitous relationship. It’s definitely a highlight from Zayn’s album, and one of Kehlani’s best features to date.
Khalid, “Location (Remix)” feat. Lil Wayne
I’m not sure there are two artists more suited to work with one another than Khalid and Kehlani. Both are young R&B upstarts with serious vocal talent and the attention of the younger generation. “Location” was already a great record, but Kehlani’s added vocals imbue the smooth-as-butter song with even more raw talent.
Cardi B, “Ring”
When Cardi dropped her album Invasion of Privacy, fans were blown away by the sheer amount of talent featured on the record. “Ring” is maybe the best feature on the album — while Cardi vents her frustration at a lover who won’t call her, Kehlani uses the chorus to express the sadness that comes with that feeling as well.
Stormzy, “Cigarettes & Cush” feat. Lily Allen
A song like “Cigarettes & Cush” was practically designed for someone like Kehlani; a modern hip-hop song with a soulful ‘90s R&B feel and pop songstress Lily Allen singing on each chorus. It’s a perfect mixture for Kehlani to shine through on her second verse feature spot, singing about sitting down and smoking a blunt with her lover.
G-Eazy, “Crash & Burn”
Among pop stars like Halsey and Charlie Puth on G-Eazy’s The Beautiful & Damned, Kehlani manages to shine through in her feature on the reflective rap track “Crash & Burn.” While the rapper tries to show his audience the consequences of being reckless, Kehlani belts out the song’s moral center, singing “Know, there’s danger in the lesson learned / Slow down before you crash & burn.”
Charlie Puth, “Done for Me”
This nu-soul bop is totally incomplete without Kehlani’s stunning contribution. Even though it may smaller than other entries on this list, Kehlani’s verse on Charlie Puth’s 80’s-inspired track is one of her best. She takes on the role of a fed-up lover being accused of infidelity and delivers pitch-perfect vocals to accompany Puth’s smooth singing.