February 13, 2017 -- For every artist who hits it big, there are thousands equally talented who lie like road kill beneath the wheels of managers, A&R representatives, and producers who can’t understand the artist’s vision, or the music, or as Tom Petty has aptly sung, just “don’t hear a single.”
February 13, 2017 -- For every artist who hits it big, there are thousands equally talented who lie like road kill beneath the wheels of managers, A&R representatives, and producers who can’t understand the artist’s vision, or the music, or as Tom Petty has aptly sung, just “don’t hear a single.”
Now only 21 years old, the singer/songwriter Kehlani seems to have already lived nine lives in this challenging business, having originally captured public attention at age 16 as the lead vocalist of PopLyfe, which placed fourth on America’s Got Talent in 2011, but fell into homelessness thereafter and admitted stealing from grocery stores in order to eat. Nick Cannon eventually came to her aid and started her on a path of releasing critically-acclaimed mixtapes, the second of which, You Should Be Here, was nominated in 2016 for the Best Urban Contemporary Album Grammy Award and was her ticket to being signed by Atlantic Records. Her journey remained perilous, however, with the artist attempting suicide that same year.
On January 26th, Kehlani came roaring back with her debut album SweetSexySavage, a collection of 17 eclectic and self-assured tracks which while trending toward an alt R&B sound also borrow from the best of 90’s R&B beats and textures. We feature here the head-nodding track “Keep On,” an ode to a lover who keeps taking her back despite her admitted shortcomings. The simple but irresistible beat, handclaps and Kehlani’s voice will pull you right in, start your hips a’shakin, and compel you to hit “replay.” Enjoy.
By Robb Patryk