The least interesting part about kwn (pronounced kay-one) is who she’s talking through it.
With all due respect, this blossoming London-bred R&B sensation is so much more nuanced than what’s been rumored. Influenced by the likes of Brandy, Destiny’s Child, Jodeci, and Dru Hill, kwn burst onto the scene in 2022 with her debut single, “wn way or another.”
It wasn’t until 2024 that she hit her stride with her single, “eyes wide open.” Now, she’s in high demand. Funny enough, kwn’s formula of success wasn’t chasing the algorithm or analytics. The key component to her catalog is her being “unapologetically” herself.
“I don’t shy away from saying things. I’m like, ‘If it’s on my mind, I’m going to say it,’” she says frankly. “I’m a person with quiet confidence outside of music. So, when it comes to [song]writing, it’s like the confidence comes out a little bit more.”
That confidence can be heard on two Kehlani collaborations: “Clothes Off” and “worst behaviour.” Naturally, kwn credits the newly minted two-time Grammy winner as someone she’s “very, very grateful” for. “She’s been a big part of my success, of course, [but also] me staying grounded, me learning how to say no when it’s right, and just more so looking after my mental health.”
