Review: Kehlani's "Folded": Best Covers and Remixes Ranked

Kehlani’s “Folded” has already cemented itself as one of the most covered and reimagined R&B tracks of the year — and there’s no question why. Raw emotion and yearning pulse at the heart of this instant classic, which has propelled “Folded” into the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 — Kehlani’s highest position on the chart to date — with momentum still building.

Kehani's "Folded" music video.

After eleven years in the game, Kehlani can rightfully be called a veteran, and “Folded” stands as a mature, confident evolution of their sound. While they’ve teased a possible official remix with Mariah the Scientist (check out our review of Mariah’s album here), we’re ranking the best unofficial covers and remixes — spanning modern legends like Craig David and Brandy to rising voices like Josh Levi.

Together, these interpretations showcase the versatility and staying power of Kehlani’s songwriting: she created a track resilient enough to bend, fold, and unfold through multiple lenses without losing its core.

8. Jacquees

Is your song even poppin’ if Jacquees doesn’t slide on the track? The Atlanta native flips the perspective, shifting from reconciliation to resignation: “I know I’m not good enough for you.” His remix of “Folded” layers regret over heartbreak, dragging the track into darker, colder depths.

7. Trevor Jackson

Trevor Jackson captioned his rap-leaning take, “You are crazier than [Love Island’s] Huda but I don’t care.” Already viral for flipping songs like Tyla’s “Water,” his cadence here recalls R&B-era Drake — not a bad blueprint for a song rooted in longing.

6. Muni Long

The “Hrs & Hrs” singer-songwriter sounds right at home riffing and running her way through a live rendition of “Folded.” It’s a stirring tribute from a contemporary Young OG, proof of the universal respect Kehlani’s pen commands.

Click here to check out Muni Long's live cover

5. Vedo

Vedo stays faithful to the heartfelt simplicity of “Folded,” but slips in subtle melodic tweaks and stacked background vocals that add a new wave of intimacy.

4. Josh Levi

The only a cappella entry on our list belongs to Josh Levi, whose full-length debut Hydraulic drops October 10. Both he and Kehlani are self-professed students of the Vocal Bible, Brandy, and it shows. Rich with texture, Levi’s warm runs feel like a direct descendant of her legacy.

3. Mario

A few years ago, Mario surprised fans at Kehlani’s Blue Water Roadshow Tour with a cameo performance of his classic “Just A Friend.” That goodwill continues here: his version of “Folded” builds on the original arrangement, adding layers of swagger while honoring its emotional core.

2. Craig David

One of R&B’s most underrated voices, Craig David puts his melodic genius on full display. He opens over the orchestral intro Kehlani left instrumental, then makes another inspired choice: acting out a duet, floating and weaving around Kehlani’s vocals during the chorus.

1. Brandy

As she preps to hit the road with Monica for The Boy Is Mine Tour, Brandy graces a song that could easily have been hers in another lifetime. Synonymous with R&B mastery, her 1:09 take on “Folded” distills everything that makes her music transcendent: otherworldly harmonies, effortless runs, and a heaven-sent tone. Even without a new verse, Brandy’s ingenuity transforms “Folded” into something that feels whole, yet leaves you wanting more.

Which Kehlani "Folded" cover are you feeling the most? Let us know in the comments!