Kehlani joined Dotty on The Dotty Show on Apple Music 1 to talk about writing songs about women, her importance in the queer community, speaking out about world issues, and more.
American singer-songwriter Kehlani appears on The Dotty Show on Apple Music 1 to talk about her second album, CRASH, writing songs about women and audiences' reactions to that change. She also discusses whether she feels the weight of her importance within the queer community, using her platform to speak out about world issues and people who think she should be a more famous artist.
Kehlani talks about writing songs about women…
I think the most interesting and biggest difference is that I was working with the writers that I was working with and they were like, “Don't write this for me like I'm writing about a boy.” We were coming up with lyrics together and they'd say something and I was like, “No, no, you have to say it like this.” So we reworked the song together and I was like, “You know what?” They were like, “Yeah, you know.” Because different people have different structures. But in terms of freedom, I think I also had songs that I wrote about boys back in SweetSexySavage. In my opinion, this sounds like an upgraded version of my first album. And in terms of clarity, it's not that different. I've always been clear. I've always been chaotic, and my lyrics are boring, and kind of venomous, and very honest, but obviously I'm just singing about my real life.
I realized that I had to keep that in mind when I put out the album. There are women who want me to sing about men, but they don't want to sing with me anymore. They don't want to hear it because they can't relate to it. On the other hand, there are men who want to hear women sing about them, but they can't relate to it anymore. So I knew that my community of listeners was shaped in this very specific way based on everything changing so dramatically. But for me, I'm happy that I don't have to change the lyrics on stage, because to play the old music now, I have to change all the lyrics on stage, or I'm kind of uncomfortable singing it. So now the whole album is just like, this is it, and I don't have to tweak it.
Kehlani talks about her importance to the queer community…
I feel like the community that I represent puts more emphasis on my persona by making sure that where I stand, who I am, and what I identify with is more in line. Music-wise, I don't feel any pressure because queer people are so much fun and I think they'll buy in no matter what I say, but I definitely feel pressure to represent the way that I represent and that I'm representing in a way that's right and genuine and honest.
Kehlani talks speaking out about world issues…
I was raised with the understanding that if you have a platform and you have some eyes, you should use them to bring attention to things that need more attention. For me, it's that simple. And then, I think about three or four years ago, a friend of mine asked me to speak about Palestine, and I knew absolutely nothing about it.
I spoke out, and a lot of the Zionists who were cut out said, “You don't know what you're talking about.” I deleted the post. When the genocide started, I said, “This must never happen again. I must never get away with it or make the excuse that I wasn't knowledgeable enough or educated enough.” So I did my duty, got educated, and thought, “I'm going to make sure this never happens again,” because I saw how important it was to the people who appreciated my post.
So, I feel it's an obligation and I have no soft spot for it. I feel that everyone with a platform has a responsibility. It's because of people that we can survive and thrive in the industry. So, when people ask us to give back or reflect back, it doesn't make sense that we can't do that.
Kehlani talks about people who think she should be a bigger name artist…
I don't know what they mean by “big.” This is one of those conversations where I know too much. The number of rooms I hate being in because I don't fit in. Or the conversations I can't shut up about. Or the moments where I'm like, “This is crazy. Doesn't everyone think this is crazy?” But I can't do that. I get invited to something, I get dressed, and I'm like, “Hey, this is the time. I'm just gonna get in the car and just go.” And I get halfway there. And I'm like, “Yeah, that's not me. I don't know. I don't feel like I'm into it. I don't fit in with it. I've learned too much about this. I can't do this.”
And then people on the internet say, “Kehlani isn't invited to D-D-D-D-D-A, so D-D-D-D-A-D-A.” And I'm like, “Yeah.” It's so interesting how different the perspectives are. That doesn't mean I'm invited to anything. I'm in a really interesting position where I have a really core fan base. If I need to get to the next level, it's a little hard to get over that hurdle. But my tours are getting bigger every time, and more people are coming. The albums are doing what they're supposed to do. And I'm having fun, and that's what I prioritize.