The R&B star performed some new favorites and old classics during their five-song set
It was a long time coming, but worth the wait. Even Kehlani knew that as they finally appeared on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series, quipping against a background of lush choral harmonies: “I definitely know I’m overdue for doing this, so thank you for making sure I was able to get here this far along in my process. I’m just grateful, and I hope you enjoy the rest of it.”
There was, of course, plenty to enjoy in the five song set. Kehlani opened with “Nights Like This,” the lead single from their 2019 mixtape, While We Wait, then dusted off a pair of early classics: “Distractions,” from their debut album, SweetSexySavage, and “The Way,” off their 2015 mixtape, You Should Be Here.
Kehlani closed out their set with the double shot of “Can I,” off 2020’s It Was Good Until It Wasn’t, and “After Hours,” off their latest album, Crash. In between the two songs, Kehlani took a moment to speak up for those facing violence and oppression around the world, especially in Palestine, saying, “Free Palestine. Free Congo. Free Sudan. Free Yemen. Free Hawaii. Free Guam. Beyond a ceasefire we need an end to the occupation. It’s deeper than this. I need everybody that’s here right now, everybody that’s watching, to step up to use their voices … Any difference that you can make is appreciated.”
Kehlani dropped Crash last month, marking their fourth studio album and first since 2022’s Blue Water Road. The musician will embark on a lengthy North American tour in support of the album this fall, with the run starting Sept. 4 in Minneapolis and wrapping Nov. 2 in San Francisco.
