By Okla Jones ·Updated March 10, 2026 Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…

Yesterday, the ESSENCE Festival of Culture revealed the first wave of performers for its 2026 lineup, and Kehlani was among the artists leading the announcement. The news arrives at a moment when the singer’s career is at its most visible, with much of Oakland native’s newfound popularity can be traced to “Folded.” Released in 2025, the single climbed to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and later won Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song at the 68th Grammy Awards. The track became one of the year’s defining R&B records, expanding Kehlani’s reach while reinforcing her standing within the genre.

On top of the awards, organizers for the NCAA Women’s Final Four recently announced that Kehlani will headline the free Super Saturday concert in Phoenix. By the time she arrives in New Orleans for the Fourth of July weekend, fans can expect new material to be in rotation, with a new album scheduled for release later this year.

Kehlani first gained national attention in 2011 as part of the teen group PopLyfe on America’s Got Talent. After leaving the group, she built her career independently with the mixtapes Cloud 19 and You Should Be Here—both projects received strong critical reception. Her studio albums followed, as SweetSexySavage debuted in the top five of the Billboard 200, and It Was Good Until It Wasn’t reached No. 2. 

If last year served as an introduction for some listeners, there is plenty left to explore. Ahead of her ESSENCE Festival performance, revisit the songs that built Kehlani’s catalog in the list below.

“The Way” ft. Chance the Rapper (2015)

“Good Life” with G-Eazy (2017)

“Gangsta” (2017)

“Nights Like This” ft. Ty Dolla $ign (2019)

“Toxic” (2020)

“After Hours” (2024)

“Folded” (2025)

Kehlani is part of the 2026 Essence Festival of Culture lineup. Don’t miss out—tickets here: Get Tickets

TOPICS:  Kehlani

The post Ahead Of ESSENCE Festival Of Culture 2026, Revisit The Songs That Shaped Kehlani’s Career appeared first on Essence.

Author: Okla Jones

Read the original article on Essence.