Kehlani Scores First Top 10 Hit with “Folded,” Eyes Grammy Recognition
A remix strategy featuring R&B icons propelled Kehlani’s “Folded” to a new peak on the Billboard Hot 100, marking a career milestone for the artist and setting the stage for potential Grammy consideration.
Kehlani has achieved their first-ever Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. As of Monday, November 3, “Folded” surged seven spots to land at No. 7 on the chart. The song’s ascent is largely attributed to the success of the “Folded Homage Pack,” a collection of remixes featuring a stellar lineup of R&B legends.
The “Folded Homage Pack” included contributions from Toni Braxton, Brandy, and JoJo for the female vocalists, while Mario, Ne-Yo, and Tank lent their talents for the male remixes. According to Billboard, all versions of the song contributed to its chart position with the exception of the remix featuring Tank, where Kehlani’s vocals were reportedly “more minimized.” The track amassed an impressive 13 million streams and 3,000 in pure sales.
The origins of “Folded” trace back to a creative session in Miami. In a conversation last month with their daughter, Adeya Nomi Parrish Young-White, Kehlani recounted the song’s genesis, stating, “I was working with my friends. I was in Miami on a work trip. I heard the beat and I loved [it], so I took it in a room and me and [some collaborators] made the song together.” The artist continued, “I just really thought it was a really cool way to come back into music after I hadn’t put music out for a while. I was pretty confident about it. I thought it was a good song.”
Since its initial release in June, Kehlani has expanded the “Folded” universe with an a cappella version, “(un)Folded,” and additional remixes from artists like Jacquees and Plies. Capitalizing on this momentum, the song has been officially submitted for consideration in the Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance categories at the 2026 Grammy Awards.
Looking ahead, Kehlani is preparing to release a new single, “Out The Window,” on Friday, November 7. The single’s cover art was captured by renowned photographer Markus Klinko, known for his iconic work with Beyoncé on her Dangerously In Love album.
Kehlani has also confirmed plans for a new album in 2026, though it remains to be seen whether “Folded” or “Out The Window” will be included on the forthcoming project. The artist’s continued creative output signals a dynamic new chapter in their career, building on the success of “Folded” and solidifying their position as a leading voice in contemporary R&B.
