Kehlani Teases New Single Is "OTW"

Kehlani’s long-deserved flowers are in full bloom. Twelve years deep into their career, the R&B visionary has inspired industry veterans and a new generation of stars alike to sing their praises —- and her hit single “Folded,” through their own covers and remixes. While “Folded” ascends the Hot 100 — currently sitting at #18 — and holds strong within the top 10 across multiple Billboard charts, Kehlani is already teasing what’s next. 

The morning of October 13, Kehlani shared a clip across social platforms, with the caption “otw. welcome to the fall.” Shot in hazy, handheld nostalgia, Kehlani appears lost in memory -— stylish in autumnal fur, beige crotched top, and blue jeans — as the New York City skyline looms behind her. A hypnotic, late-night drum pattern and lush orchestration (now signature to this era) drifts in on a chorus of wind. Then, in a line that cuts straight to the sentimental yearning of this season, she muses: “Damn, who knew the silent treatment be so fucking loud?”

The next single isn’t the only new music that’s on the way. There are whispers that the many “Folded” reinterpretations will soon find a home together on an EP; a fitting tribute to the song’s resonance. What better way for Kehlani to celebrate the song’s breakout success and underscore its rightful place in this year’s Grammy conversation for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance — and yes, Record of the Year (you can read more about that here).