T his year, Kehlani turned 30 after spending more than a decade flying — and at times flailing — in the public eye as one of R&B’s modern torchbearers. The singer-songwriter (who uses she/they pronouns) has mastered a lot in that time. Not too long ago, she took up surfing, a hobby that helped further tether her to her late father and inspired her third studio album, Blue Water Road . She’s been a faithful gym rat as of late, too, as evidenced by abs so enviable some onlookers were convinced she had etched them.

Then, after a career spanning four studio albums, four mixtapes, and five Grammy nominations, she found the perfect balance of nostalgia and innovation in “ Folded ” — an addictive song on romantic reconciliation that became her highest charting hit. It’s earned her

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