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Folded (song)

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"Folded"
Single by Kehlani
from the album Kehlani
ReleasedJune 13, 2025
GenreR&B
Length3:58
LabelAtlantic
Songwriters
Producers
  • Andre Harris
  • D.K. The Punisher
  • Don Mills
  • Riddick-Tynes
Kehlani singles chronology
"Think of Me"
(2025)		 "Folded"
(2025)		 "Sugar Sweet"
(2025)
Music video
"Folded" on YouTube

"Folded" is a song by American singer Kehlani. It was released on June 13, 2025, via Atlantic Records as the lead single from her self-titled fifth studio album. It was produced by Andre Harris, D.K. The Punisher, Don Mills and Khris Riddick-Tynes.[1]

"Folded" became her first song to enter the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number six in January 2026, becoming her most commercially successful song as a solo artist.[2] It also reached the top 10 in New Zealand, the Philippines, and Suriname. The track received critical acclaim by contemporary music critics and won both Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.[3]

Background

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“Folded” was created during a recording session in Miami, originally intended for a feature that ultimately did not materialize. To make use of the studio time, Kehlani and a team of producers experimented with new material. The beat of the song was originally intended for rapper Wale. Kehlani said: “The next day, we were listening to it and we realized, ‘Oh, this is so serious. This is such a crazy song.’ We almost had no idea, because we were just in the zone, it was so natural. There was no deep thought. It just happened.”[4][5]

Composition and lyrics

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"Folded" is an R&B song that critics have noted shows inspiration from singer Brandy (who would later feature on a remix).[6] Over an instrumental composed of strings, guitar and drums,[5][7] Kehlani hopes to rekindle a romantic relationship with her lover.[5][7][8][9] The singer acknowledges that she may have overreacted in leaving her ex ("I know I didn't have to walk away / All I had to do was ask for space"),[9] before asking them to come pick up their clothes that they had left behind, which have also been folded.[5][8][9]

Critical reception

[edit]

Upon its release, "Folded" received critical acclaim by contemporary music critics, who singled out the song’s lyricism and vocals for praise. Pitchfork, Los Angeles Times, Billboard, Rolling Stone and Complex listed it among the best songs of 2025.[10][6][11][12][13] Robin Murray of Clash called it "sensual and alluring".[14] Zachary Horvath of HotNewHipHop commented "Not only is it well written and conveys the proper emotions, the rhythm on it is infectious. The guitar melody hanging underneath the drums adds a sensual element that takes things up a notch. Of course, the vocals are buttery smooth making this a complete record overall."[7] Zsana Joyelle of Soul Bounce wrote "Lyrics like, 'I know it's getting cold out, but it's not frozen,' and, 'I don't need roses / Just need some flowers from my garden / Can't you go back to how you loved on me when you started?,' aren't just poetic, they truly capture the theme of longing. Sonically, the strings and the guitar loop under the beat complement Kehlani's voice perfectly. As always, the Oakland native brings smooth, captivating vocals and layered backgrounds that sound heaven-sent." She added, "A standout moment comes on the second hook. Kehlani makes a few changes to make this one different from the first with new riffs and runs, changes in rhythm and even holding out some notes longer than others. They even flirt with a key change as they shift tones on the lyrics, 'Meet me at my door while it's still open.'"[5]

Remixes

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American rapper Max B released a remix to the song on his 2025 mixtape Public Domain 7.[15] Rapper HavinMotion also released a remix to the track, titled "Druggin N Thuggin".[16]

Remix EP

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On October 22, 2025, Kehlani announced an EP of remixes, titled "Folded Homage Pack" featuring remixes with singers Brandy, JoJo, Mario, Ne-Yo, Tank, and Toni Braxton. The EP was released on October 24, 2025.[17]

Performances

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In November 2025, Kehlani performed the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, featuring laundromat-inspired visuals.[18] In January 2026, she performed the song on video as part of Spotify's Live Room series.[19]

Music video

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The music video for the song, directed by City James, was released on June 26, 2025, through the singer's YouTube channel.[20][21]

Charts

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Certifications

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Certifications for "Folded"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[58] Platinum 70,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[59] 2× Platinum 160,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[60] 2× Platinum 60,000‡
Portugal (AFP)[61] Gold 12,000‡
South Africa (RISA)[62] Platinum 40,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[63] Gold 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[64] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "Folded"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States October 28, 2025 Contemporary hit radio Atlantic [65]

References

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  1. ↑ Williams, Aaron (June 11, 2025). "Kehlani's Yearning New Single 'Folded' Demands Commitment". Uproxx. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  2. ↑ Conteh, Mankaprr (December 12, 2025). "Kehlani's Biggest Hit Came a Decade Into Her Career. It's Right on Time". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  3. ↑ Irshad, Zara (February 2, 2026). "Oakland singer uses first Grammy win to slam ICE as nationwide protests grow". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on February 4, 2026. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Kehlani's success with 'Folded' wasn't an accident. It was divine intervention". Los Angeles Times. February 15, 2026. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Joyelle, Zsana (June 13, 2025). "Kehlani's 'Folded' Is About More Than Laundry". Soul Bounce. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  6. 1 2 "The 50 Best Songs of 2025". Complex. December 11, 2025. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 Horvath, Zachary (June 11, 2025). "Kehlani Is Waiting For Someone Special On "Folded"". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  8. 1 2 Daw, Stephen (June 13, 2025). "Queer Jams of the Week: New Music From Kehlani, Kevin Abstract, Blondshell & More". Billboard. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 Samuels, Keithan (June 16, 2025). "Kehlani's 'Folded' Neatly Packs Longing and Sensuality: Listen". Rated R&B. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  10. ↑ https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/best-songs-2025/
  11. ↑ https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-songs-of-2025-1235468614/
  12. ↑ https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2025-12-04/25-best-songs-of-2025
  13. ↑ https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-songs-2025/
  14. ↑ Murray, Robin (June 12, 2025). "Kehlani Sparkles On New Single 'Folded'". Clash. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  15. ↑ Cole, Alexander (December 22, 2025). "Folded (Remix) - Song by Max B featuring Kehlani". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved January 30, 2026.
  16. ↑ Mahadevan, Tara. "DMV Rapper HavinMotion Dead at 22". Complex. Complex Networks. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  17. ↑ Williams, Aaron (October 23, 2025). "Kehlani's 'Homage Pack' Of 'Folded' Remixes Features Brandy, JoJo, Ne-Yo, And More". Uproxx. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
  18. ↑ Trapp, Malcolm. "Kehlani Brings "Nini's Fluff & Fold" To "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" For Breathtaking "Folded" Performance". Rap-Up. Retrieved February 12, 2026.
  19. ↑ Grant, Shawn (January 8, 2026). "Kehlani Performs "Folded" for Spotify Live Room to Open 2026". Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  20. ↑ Williams, Aaron (June 27, 2026). "Kehlani Runs A Fantasy Dry Cleaning Service In Her 'Folded' Video". Uproxx. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  21. ↑ Trapp, Malcolm (June 26, 2025). "Kehlani Drops Highly Anticipated Visual For "Folded" — Here's How Fans Reacted". Rap-Up. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  22. ↑ "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. January 5, 2026. Retrieved January 16, 2026.
  23. ↑ "ARIA Top 40 Hip Hop/R&B Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. November 10, 2025. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Kehlani Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Canada CHR/Top 40: Week of April 18, 2026". Billboard Canada. Archived from the original on April 18, 2026. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Canada Hot AC: Week of April 25, 2026". Billboard Canada. Archived from the original on April 29, 2026. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  27. ↑ "Kehlani Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved January 14, 2026.
  28. ↑ "IRMA – Irish Charts (Week 3, 2026)". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of May 20, 2026". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  30. ↑ "OLT20 – English Chart – Week of Sunday November 2nd, 2025". The Official Lebanese Top 20. November 2, 2025. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Kehlani Chart History (Malaysia Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Kehlani – Folded" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Official Top 40 Singles". Recorded Music NZ. June 20, 2025. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  34. ↑ "Top 20 Nicaragua Anglo música". Monitor Latino. Retrieved January 21, 2026.
  35. ↑ "TurnTable Nigeria Top 100: September 5th, 2025 - September 11th, 2025". TurnTable. Archived from the original on September 19, 2025. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
  36. ↑ "Top 20 Perú Anglo música". Monitor Latino. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  37. ↑ "The Official Southeast Asia Charts – This Week's Official Philippines Chart Top 20 from 08/22/2025 to 08/28/2025". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved October 4, 2025. [Select 2025 Week 35]
  38. ↑ "Philippines Hot 100 (Week of October 11, 2025)". Billboard Philippines. October 11, 2025. Archived from the original on November 9, 2025. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  39. ↑ "Top 200 Singles Semana 04 de 2026" (PDF) (in European Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. p. 8. Retrieved February 3, 2026.
  40. ↑ "Top 20 Puerto Rico Anglo música". Monitor Latino. Retrieved June 20, 2026.
  41. ↑ "Local & International Radio Chart Top 20 – Week 06, 2026". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  42. ↑ "Local & International Streaming Chart Top 50 Week 32-2025". The Official South African Charts. Retrieved August 14, 2025.
  43. ↑ "Top 40 – 12 tot 19 Februari 2026" [Top 40 – 12 to 19 February 2026] (in Dutch). Nationale Top 40 Suriname. February 13, 2026. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  44. ↑ "Official Singles Chart on 14/11/2025 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 15, 2025.
  45. ↑ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart on 10/10/2025 – Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
  46. ↑ "Kehlani Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved January 6, 2026.
  47. ↑ "Kehlani Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved July 22, 2026.
  48. ↑ "Kehlani Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  49. ↑ "Kehlani Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 4, 2025.
  50. ↑ "Kehlani Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 25, 2026.
  51. ↑ "Kehlani Chart History (R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved January 27, 2026.
  52. ↑ "Kehlani Chart History (Rhythmic Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 27, 2025.
  53. ↑ "End of Year Top 50 Singles – 2025". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  54. ↑ "Philippines Hot 100 (Year of 2025)". Billboard Philippines. Archived from the original on December 19, 2025. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  55. ↑ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2025". Billboard. Retrieved December 10, 2025.
  56. ↑ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2025". Billboard. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  57. ↑ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2025". Billboard. Retrieved December 11, 2025.
  58. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2026 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  59. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Kehlani – Folded". Music Canada. Retrieved March 18, 2026.
  60. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Kehlani – Folded". Radioscope. Retrieved February 11, 2026. Type Folded in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
  61. ↑ "Portuguese single certifications – Kehlani – Folded" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  62. ↑ "South Africa certifications". Recording Industry of South Africa. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  63. ↑ "British single certifications – Kehlani – Folded". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved April 10, 2026. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Folded Kehlani in the "Search:" field.
  64. ↑ "American single certifications – Kehlani – Folded". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  65. ↑ "Your Radio Add Recaps". www.hitsdailydouble.com. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
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