Kehlani has ignited a wave of anticipation after revealing she’s back in the studio, this time alongside two of R&B’s most revered craftsmen: Ryan Leslie and Bryan-Michael Cox. On September 9, the Oakland-born singer shared photos to her Instagram story showing the trio deep in session, immediately fueling speculation about what the collaboration could mean for her next chapter.
The images captured Kehlani seated between Leslie — the multi-hyphenate producer responsible for sleek, era-defining tracks for Cassie, Fabolous, and his own acclaimed catalog — and Cox, the Grammy-winning songwriter-producer whose fingerprints are on classics for Usher, Mariah Carey, and Mary J. Blige. The sight of the three together sent fans into overdrive, but it was Cox’s cryptic comment that elevated the intrigue.
Reposting the studio shot, he wrote simply: “You have no idea…”
That tease suggested the music being crafted carries an ambition worthy of the names involved. Leslie’s ability to merge glossy precision with emotional resonance and Cox’s history of penning timeless anthems place Kehlani in rare company. Known for weaving intimacy with sonic experimentation, she now finds herself at the intersection of R&B tradition and reinvention.
The timing couldn’t be more pivotal. Kehlani’s 2022 album Blue Water Road earned critical praise for its cohesion and vulnerability, cementing her as one of R&B’s most fearless storytellers. Teaming with Leslie and Cox signals a potential shift — or elevation — in her artistry, hinting at a project that may bridge the genre’s classic era with its evolving future.
No official details have surfaced, but the photos and Cox’s teasing words have already sparked feverish discussion across social media. Fans are speculating whether the collaboration could result in a full project, a one-off single, or even a broader creative partnership.
What’s clear is that Kehlani is deliberately positioning herself in conversation with R&B’s lineage while continuing to push forward. If Cox’s promise holds weight, the music born from these sessions won’t be a casual experiment but something with the power to reverberate well beyond the studio walls.
Kehlani’s new single “Folded” is quickly becoming her biggest record yet as it tops the charts.
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