Kehlani Brings The Kehlani World Tour to Intuit With Special Guests

Having followed Kehlani since the blog era and her 2014 mixtape “Cloud 19,” watching her command an arena of this magnitude was something special. Supporting her self-titled album, “Kehlani,” the two-time Grammy Award winner brought The Kehlani World Tour to Inglewood for an evening that felt equally like a SoCal homecoming, an R&B masterclass and a celebration of the community that helped shape her career.

Kehlani & Usher at Intuit Dome. Photo Credit: Jamie-Lee B.

One of the aspects I appreciated most was Kehlani’s commitment to ensuring everyone involved received their flowers. Palestinian DJ WASEEL opened the festivities, followed by Grammy-winning songwriter DIXSON, rising R&B singer TheARTI$t and Grammy-winning artist Durand Bernarr. Rather than treating her supporting acts as an afterthought, she continued highlighting them throughout the evening, along with her dancers, who received special introductions and individual moments to shine. That spirit came full circle when all four supporting performers reunited for a collaborative rendition of her song “Unlearn.” It was a refreshing reminder that even as the headliner, Kehlani understood the importance of celebrating everyone who helped bring her vision to life.

Beyond the impressive vocals and choreography, the musical arrangements were among my favorite elements of the production. Throughout the evening, Kehlani paid homage to several artists who helped shape her musical identity, seamlessly incorporating classic R&B records into her own catalog. Aaliyah’s “Rock the Boat” blended into “Back and Forth,” while 112’s “U Already Know” complemented “Lights On.” Mýa’s “Fallen” found its way into “No Such Thing,” Ne-Yo’s “So Sick” accompanied “Serial Lover,” and Brandy’s “Full Moon” was incorporated into “Hate the Club.” The tributes continued with Michael Jackson’s iconic chant from “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin'” accompanying “After Hours,” Goapele’s “Closer” blending with “The Way,” and Omarion’s “Ice Box” finding a home within “Footsteps.” Kehlani connected different generations of R&B while demonstrating how those influences continue to shape her artistry. One of the night’s most memorable moments came when she channeled Janet Jackson, incorporating choreography inspired by Jackson’s “I Get Lonely” into her 2017 single “Distraction.” The homage was particularly fitting considering Janet’s influence on generations of performers.

As if those tributes weren’t enough, Kehlani had two special surprises waiting for the Inglewood audience. R&B royalty Brandy and Usher both made appearances, giving fans the opportunity to witness their collaborations from her latest project live. Brandy’s arrival was especially fitting following the earlier musical tribute to “Full Moon.” The Grammy-winning singer performed her beloved 2002 classic before joining Kehlani for their collaboration, “I Need You.” Usher’s appearance brought another level of excitement as he joined Kehlani for “Shoulda Never” before treating the audience to his own classic, “Superstar.” Watching two generations of R&B talent share the stage was very rewarding, especially for those of us who grew up listening to both artists.

Kehlani & Brandy at Intuit Dome. Photo credit: Jamie-Lee B.

Of course, Kehlani’s own catalog provided more than enough memorable moments. The setlist balanced material from her latest album with fan favorites spanning different chapters of her career, including “Anotha Luva,” “No Such Thing,” “Back and Forth,” “Toxic,” “Hate the Club” and “After Hours.” Songs like “Piece of Mind,” “Open (Passionate),” “Call Me Back” and “everything” gave the audience opportunities to appreciate her more vulnerable side, while “Sweet Nuthins,” “Pocket,” “Cruise Control” and “Out the Window” showcased her versatility. The temperature inside Intuit Dome rose considerably during “Oooh,” which featured a steamy, girl-on-girl performance that brought another level of sensuality to an already impressive production. However, the audience’s reaction to “Nights Like This” was something else entirely. As soon as the opening notes hit, the arena erupted into one of the loudest singalongs of the evening, demonstrating the lasting connection her music has created with fans.

For all the elaborate choreography, surprise appearances and nostalgic tributes, Kehlani saved one of the evening’s most meaningful moments for the finale. She closed the show with “Folded,” bringing her daughter, Adeya, onto the stage to share in the celebration. After that touching moment, she performed the record once more on her own, allowing the audience to fully embrace the song that has helped define this latest chapter of her career. The record earned Kehlani Grammy Awards for best R&B performance and best R&B song earlier this year, while her self-titled album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1 on the Top R&B Albums charts during its opening week. The project, executive produced by Khris Riddick-Tynes, has quickly become one of my favorite R&B albums of all time, and experiencing those records live only strengthened that appreciation.

I’ve attended countless concerts across different genres, but Kehlani’s performance at Intuit Dome stands among the best I’ve experienced in recent years. What made the evening particularly memorable was the attention to detail, the musicality and her genuine appreciation for everyone who contributed to making the night possible. From celebrating her musical influences and supporting performers to sharing the stage with her daughter, Kehlani delivered an experience that felt deeply personal without losing the excitement of a major arena production. Watching her artistic evolution over the past 12 years has been a pleasure, and Thursday night’s performance demonstrated that she’s still finding new ways to elevate her craft while honoring the R&B foundation that helped get her here.

Kehlani & Usher at Intuit Dome. Photo credit: Jamie-Lee B.