Kehlani Net Worth 2025 Artist Earnings
Kehlani earned an estimated net worth of $6 million through her successful music career spanning mixtapes, studio albums, and sold-out world tours. The 30 year old Oakland native rose from homelessness and poverty to become one of contemporary R&B’s most influential voices with Grammy nominated work and billions of streams.
She generates income through album sales, streaming royalties, concert performances, brand endorsements, merchandise, and real estate investments while maintaining creative independence.
Quick Facts About Kehlani
| Fact | Detail |
| Full Name | Kehlani Ashley Parrish |
| Date of Birth | April 24, 1995 |
| Place of Birth | Oakland, California, USA |
| Net Worth (2025) | $6 million |
| Primary Occupations | Singer, Songwriter, Dancer |
| Career Span | 2009–present |
| Ventures | Music albums, Concert tours, Merchandise, Real estate investments |
Difficult Childhood in Oakland
Kehlani Ashley Parrish was born on April 24, 1995 in Oakland, California and faced tremendous adversity from her earliest years. Her mother struggled with drug addiction and served time in jail, while her father also battled addiction and died when Kehlani was just a toddler.
She was raised by her aunt who adopted her, growing up in a turbulent environment that shaped her resilience. As a teenager, she attended Oakland School for the Arts where she focused on ballet and modern dance with dreams of training at Juilliard. A knee injury during junior high forced her to shift her focus entirely to singing. She was exposed to R&B and neo soul artists like Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, and Jill Scott, which shaped her musical style. At age 14, she was recruited to join PopLyfe, a local pop cover band.
PopLyfe and America’s Got Talent
Kehlani became the lead vocalist for PopLyfe at age 14, with the band’s music produced by D’Wayne Wiggins of Tony! Toni! Tone!. In 2011, they auditioned for America’s Got Talent season six, eventually finishing in fourth place. Judge Piers Morgan told Kehlani she had real talent but didn’t need the group. After the show ended, she left PopLyfe due to managerial and contractual disputes.
Between 2012 and 2013, Kehlani was homeless, moving from house to house and sleeping on couches. Her life changed when she released “ANTISUMMERLUV” on SoundCloud, which caught Nick Cannon’s attention. Cannon bought her an apartment in Los Angeles and gave her studio time that launched her solo career.
Cloud 19 Mixtape Breakthrough
In 2014, Kehlani used the studio time Nick Cannon provided to record her debut mixtape titled Cloud 19, released as a free digital download. The mixtape featured guest appearances from Kyle Dion and showcased her smooth R&B vocals and honest songwriting.
Cloud 19 ranked twenty eighth on Complex magazine’s list of the “50 Best Albums of 2014,” giving her significant critical recognition. Pitchfork also included it among their “Overlooked Mixtapes 2014,” and Billboard listed her song “Till the Morning” as an “Emerging Pick of the Week.”
The mixtape’s success proved Kehlani had the talent to sustain a solo career and attracted attention from major record labels. She began opening for rapper G-Eazy on his From the Bay to the Universe tour in 2015.
Complex named her one of the “15 Artists to Watch Out for in 2015,” while Rolling Stone included her in their “10 New Artists You Need to Know” list.
You Should Be Here Success
On April 28, 2015, Kehlani released her second mixtape You Should Be Here, which became her commercial breakthrough project. Billboard called it the “year’s first great R&B album” when it debuted at number five on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.
The project featured guest appearances from rapper Chance the Rapper and singer BJ the Chicago Kid.
Just one week after the release, Kehlani announced she had signed a major record deal with Atlantic Records. In support of the mixtape, she embarked on the You Should Be Here tour which sold out every North American date and select European dates.
The success earned Kehlani her first Grammy Award nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards. The mixtape also received gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
SweetSexySavage Debut Album
Kehlani released her debut studio album SweetSexySavage through Atlantic Records on January 27, 2017, marking a major milestone in her career.
The album debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 chart, her highest charting project to that point. Before the album dropped, she had already gained attention with her song “Gangsta” featured on the Suicide Squad movie soundtrack in August 2016.
The song reached number 41 on the Hot 100, giving her mainstream radio exposure and introducing her to audiences beyond R&B. She embarked on the SweetSexySavage World Tour throughout 2017, performing across North America and internationally.
Her third annual Tsunami Christmas tour concluded in Santa Ana, California on December 18, 2017. The commercial success of SweetSexySavage generated substantial revenue through album sales, streaming royalties, and touring income.
Major Collaborations and Features
Kehlani’s career received major boosts through high profile collaborations with some of music’s biggest names starting in 2016. In March 2016, she was featured on English singer Zayn’s single “Wrong” from his debut solo album Mind of Mine.
In December 2017, she appeared on rapper Eminem’s single “Nowhere Fast” from his ninth studio album Revival. In March 2018, she collaborated with Charlie Puth on his single “Done for Me” from his album Voicenotes. Her biggest collaboration came in April 2018 when she was featured on Cardi B’s single “Ring” from the album Invasion of Privacy.
“Ring” peaked at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming her first song to enter the top 40. She also worked with DJ Zedd on the September 2019 single “Good Thing,” and with Teyana Taylor on “Morning” released in November 2019.
It Was Good Until It Wasn’t Album
Kehlani released her second studio album It Was Good Until It Wasn’t on May 8, 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The album debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 based on 83,000 album equivalent units earned, including 25,000 pure album sales. This became her highest charting album to date, surpassing the number three peak of her debut SweetSexySavage.
The album spawned the hit single “Can I” which received significant radio play and streaming numbers. It featured guest appearances from artists like Masego, Lucky Daye, Tory Lanez, and James Blake. The success during the pandemic demonstrated Kehlani’s strong connection with her audience even without traditional promotion.
The album’s commercial performance generated substantial revenue through streaming platforms where fans consumed music heavily during lockdowns.
Blue Water Road and Spiritual Growth
Kehlani began working on her third studio album Blue Water Road after her September 2020 recording session for what was supposed to be a deluxe edition.
She went through a spiritual detox between her second and third albums to break out of toxic cycles she had fallen into personally.
After her breakup with rapper YG and near the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, she stripped herself down emotionally and began writing. In summer 2020, she bought a small farm in Simi Valley, California where she lived with her daughter and focused on this creative process. On September 14, 2021, Kehlani revealed the teaser for Blue Water Road and announced the album would be released, though it was ultimately delayed to April 29, 2022.
The album debuted at number 13 on the Billboard 200 and received critical acclaim from music publications. To support the album, she embarked on the Blue Water Road Trip tour across the US and Europe from July to December 2022.
Crash Album and Political Activism
Kehlani released her fourth studio album Crash on June 21, 2024, featuring collaborations with Jill Scott, Omah Lay, and Young Miko. The album peaked at number 25 on the Billboard 200, marking a continuation of her commercial success.
Her music video for “Next 2 U” premiered on May 31, 2024 and began with a poem by Palestinian American writer Hala Alyan and the demonstration chant “Long Live the Intifada.” In the video’s outro, Kehlani vocalized a personally penned message dedicated to Palestinian children killed in the Gaza war. In tandem with the single release, she unveiled merchandise created by Palestinian creative director Yasmeen Mjalli with all proceeds going to humanitarian causes.
She expressed solidarity with Palestine through Instagram posts and was a principal signer of the October 2023 open letter Artists Against Apartheid. Her activism led to the cancellation of a scheduled performance at Cornell University in April 2025 over her support for Palestine.
While We Wait 2 Mixtape
Kehlani released her fourth mixtape While We Wait 2 on August 28, 2024, serving as a sequel to her 2019 mixtape While We Wait.
The project included 14 songs with features from Lucky Daye, kwn, Vince Staples, FLO, Destin Conrad, Lil’ Mo, and DIXSON. She stated that the album only took two weeks to record and was done entirely at home.
The cover art nodded to the original While We Wait album cover, featuring her staring at herself in the mirror with floral wallpaper. The mixtape debuted at number nine on the Billboard 200 and sold 34,000 album equivalent units in its first week.
She also collaborated with GloRilla on a Christmas themed trap song released on December 13, 2024. The mixtape’s streaming performance on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music generated additional revenue throughout late 2024.
YouTube and Streaming Revenue
Kehlani maintains a strong presence on YouTube with over 4.1 million subscribers and 125 million total video views across her official channel. Her music videos regularly attract millions of views, with hits like “Gangsta,” “CRZY,” and “Honey” each surpassing tens of millions of plays.
YouTube ad revenue provides a steady income stream based on view counts and engagement with her content. She also benefits from billions of streams across platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal where her music performs consistently.
Streaming platforms have become a major component of Kehlani’s income as physical album sales have declined industry wide. Her social media presence totals over 26.4 million followers, including 12.7 million on Instagram and 2.4 million on Twitter.
This massive following allows her to promote new releases directly to fans and drive streaming numbers without relying solely on radio.
Concert Tours and Live Performances
Kehlani’s concert tours represent one of her largest income sources, with sold out shows across North America and internationally. Her headlining tours include the You Should Be Here tour, SweetSexySavage World Tour, Blue Water Road Trip tour, and Crash World Tour.
Top R&B artists like Kehlani can earn between $50,000 and $100,000 per performance depending on venue size and ticket prices. She has also served as an opening act for artists like Demi Lovato and Halsey, which helped expand her audience.
Beyond traditional concert tours, Kehlani has performed at major events including the 2023 WNBA All-Star Game and 2023 MLS All-Star Game.
Touring also allows her to sell merchandise directly to fans at venues, creating an additional revenue stream. Her ability to consistently fill venues demonstrates her drawing power and ensures touring remains a lucrative part of her business model.
Real Estate Investments
Kehlani has made strategic real estate investments in California that contribute to her overall net worth and financial portfolio. In June 2020, she purchased a 7,094 square foot home in Simi Valley, California for $1.7 million during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She sold this property in December 2021 for $1.85 million, making a profit of $150,000 in just 18 months. In December 2021, she bought a four bedroom home in Topanga, California for $1.7 million, relocating to a different area.
She listed this Topanga property for sale in November 2023 at $1.9 million, hoping to make another profit. The property’s price was reduced to $1.699 million by March 2024, potentially resulting in a loss if sold at that price.
While not all real estate investments have been profitable, they demonstrate financial planning beyond relying solely on music income.
Merchandise and Brand Deals
Kehlani generates additional income through merchandise sales via her official website at store.kehlanimusic.com where she offers clothing and accessories. Her merchandise typically includes items like hoodies, t-shirts, hats, and other apparel featuring her name, album artwork, or lyrics.
During concert tours, she sells merchandise at venues directly to fans, which provides higher profit margins than online sales. Her 2024 merchandise collaboration with Palestinian creative director Yasmeen Mjalli demonstrated her ability to use merchandise for both revenue and activism.
Kehlani’s strong social media presence with 12.7 million Instagram followers makes her attractive to brands seeking influencer partnerships and endorsements. Endorsement deals with brands can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars depending on the scope and duration.
The combination of merchandise sales and brand partnerships provides diversified income streams that are not dependent on releasing new music or touring.
Relationship With Kyrie Irving
In January 2016, it was confirmed that Kehlani was dating NBA star Kyrie Irving, but the relationship ended amid controversy in March 2016.
Canadian singer PartyNextDoor posted a picture suggesting Kehlani was with him, causing massive social media backlash and unfounded cheating accusations. The media attention and abuse she received led to a suicide attempt, which she addressed publicly on social media. Irving later clarified they had broken up before the incident occurred.
In 2018, Irving posted an Instagram apology expressing appreciation for Kehlani. She took to social media to explain that she did not cheat on Irving in a public statement acknowledging her attempted suicide. The incident had a significant impact on her mental health and personal life during a crucial period in her career.
Motherhood and Family Life
Kehlani announced on Instagram on October 12, 2018 that she was pregnant with her first child, with guitarist Javaughn Young-White as the father.
She opened up in December 2018 about prenatal depression and how her pregnancy was harder than it appeared publicly. In 2019, she gave birth to her daughter Adeya Nomi at home, becoming a mother for the first time. She has mentioned that being a mother gives her additional motivation to work hard and be a good role model. Kehlani keeps her daughter largely out of the public spotlight to protect her privacy, rarely posting photos of Adeya’s face on social media.
The purchase of a small farm in Simi Valley in 2020 reflected her desire to provide a stable, private environment for Adeya. She balances her demanding career with motherhood responsibilities, often discussing the challenges of being a working mother in the music industry.
Dating History and Relationships
Kehlani dated rapper YG starting in September 2019, but discovered he was cheating on her after seeing his phone in May 2020. Despite the breakup, they released a collaborative single “Konclusions” for Valentine’s Day 2020, showing they remained cordial.
In 2024, Kehlani was briefly married to A&R and music executive Mariel Gomerez before Gomerez filed for marriage annulment three months later citing fraud and infidelity. In October 2025, she confirmed she was in a relationship with British singer and rapper Kwn. She has also been in a relationship with 070 collective member Danielle Balbuena, better known as 070 Shake. Her personal relationships have often inspired her music and songwriting. She values strong family ties, cultural traditions, and creating a supportive environment in her personal life.
Sexuality and Gender Identity
Kehlani has been open about her sexuality and gender identity throughout her career, becoming an important voice in the LGBTQ+ community.
In April 2018, she spoke about her sexuality on Twitter, stating she was queer and attracted to women, men, queer men, non-binary people, intersex people, and trans people. She described herself as “lil poly pansexual,” indicating her preference for polyamorous relationships. During a livestream in early 2021, Kehlani announced that she identified as a lesbian.
In an April 2019 interview with Diva magazine, she stated she was “definitely on the non-binary scale” despite preferring “she” pronouns at that time. In December 2020, she updated her pronouns on Twitter to “she/they.” In a 2021 interview with Byrdie Magazine, she stated her preference for “they” over “she” because “something feels really affirming when people say they.”
Advocacy and Activism Work
Kehlani has spoken about being a survivor of sexual assault and rape, using her platform to advocate for survivors. She expressed solidarity with Palestine during the Gaza war through Instagram posts, voicing disapproval for celebrities who remained silent. She was a principal signer of the October 2023 open letter Artists Against Apartheid.
In November 2023, she signed an open letter calling for a ceasefire and an end to the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip. On May 27, 2024, she voiced criticism on Instagram directed at fellow musicians for remaining silent about the Gaza-Israel conflict. She demonstrated her support for Gaza in the “Next 2 U” music video, which opens with a poem by a Palestinian American writer. Her commitment to humanitarian causes resonated with her core fan base and demonstrated her willingness to sacrifice income for her principles.
Religious and Spiritual Practices
In 2020, Kehlani started practicing the African diasporic religion La Regla de Ocha, also known as Santeria. She went through a spiritual detox between her second and third albums to break out of toxic cycles she had fallen into.
After her breakup with YG and near the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, she stripped herself down emotionally. The spiritual journey influenced her songwriting and creative process for Blue Water Road. She has spoken about the importance of spirituality in her healing and personal growth. Kehlani is also a vegan and has discussed how her dietary choices align with her spiritual values. Her spiritual practices have become an important part of her identity and influence her music and activism.
Tattoos and Body Art
Kehlani got her first tattoo when she was 16 years old and has continued collecting body art throughout her career. Some of her tattoos include characters from Coraline, Regina “Reggie” Rocket, Mia Wallace and Vincent Vega dancing, Lauryn Hill, and Frida Kahlo.
She has a sleeve of roses, a sunflower, and face tattoos of a paper plane and four dots. After her suicide attempt, she got a tattoo that says “perdida y encontrada” which translates to “lost and found” in English. During August 2017, she received a “Kirituhi,” a Māori tattoo representing her family with 6 koru representing her 4 siblings on earth and 2 that have passed.
On January 5, 2018, she posted a photo showing that her hand tattoo of the word “woke” had been covered up with a lotus flower. Each tattoo holds personal significance and tells a story from her life journey.
Kehlani Income Sources
| Income Source | Estimated Annual Earnings | Years Active |
| Album Sales and Streaming Royalties | $1.5 million – $2 million | 2014–present |
| Concert Tours and Live Performances | $1.5 million – $2.5 million | 2015–present |
| Songwriting and Production Credits | $300,000 – $500,000 | 2014–present |
| YouTube Ad Revenue | $150,000 – $250,000 | 2014–present |
| Merchandise Sales | $200,000 – $400,000 | 2015–present |
| Brand Endorsements and Partnerships | $300,000 – $600,000 | 2016–present |
| Real Estate Investments | Variable (appreciation/rental income) | 2020–present |
Net Worth Comparison: Contemporary R&B Artists
| Name | Net Worth | Breakthrough Year | Notable Achievements |
| Kehlani | $6 million | 2015 | Grammy nominated, 4 studio albums, billions of streams |
| Jhené Aiko | $6 million | 2014 | 3 Grammy nominations, 3 studio albums |
| H.E.R. | $4 million | 2017 | 5 Grammy wins, 2 studio albums |
| Summer Walker | $4 million | 2019 | Billboard 200 #1 album, 2 studio albums |
FAQs
Conclusion
Kehlani built her $6 million net worth through talent, resilience, and smart business decisions across multiple income streams.
From homelessness in Oakland to sold out world tours, her journey demonstrates the power of authenticity and hard work in the music industry. She continues earning through albums, streaming, tours, merchandise, and investments while using her platform for activism and LGBTQ+ advocacy.
