Kehlani at 30: How “Folded” Changed Everything | Billboard Women In Music 2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SP9uyfLdlU

Kehlani says “Folded” marked a real turning point because it reminded her that fans were ready for traditional R&B again, and that helped shape the direction of her self-titled album. In the Billboard Women in Music 2026 feature, she also talks about the emotional process behind the song, her bedroom-recording approach, and how the unexpected success of “Folded” changed the way she sees her artistry.

Why it mattered

She describes the song as a return to the kind of R&B she first loved making, which made the response feel especially validating. That momentum helped position her as Billboard’s 2026 Women in Music Impact Award recipient.

What she reflected on

Kehlani also opens up about staying true to her moral compass in a difficult industry and about collaborations with artists like Ludacris, Lil Wayne, and Clipse. The broader message is that “Folded” didn’t just become a hit; it helped redefine what her next era could be.