# @billboard on YouTube

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://youtube.com/watch?v=Vx7RftthllE
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/69376765-billboard-youtube
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/91c3d97ab0.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-08-20T14:00:31.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** billboard (@billboard) — https://gondola.cc/billboard

## Caption

Leon Thomas sits down with Kehlani for a Billboard Cover Interview to reflect on a friendship that goes back to their teen years—and the creative chemistry that’s kept them connected ever since. Kehlani opens up about the practices that keep her grounded, from gym and yoga to getting outside, praying and building a relationship with God, and how routine helps her stay balanced while navigating life and work. The two revisit Kehlani’s early days—skateboarding, art school and a teen band—plus the neo-soul and R&B voices that shaped her taste (from Stevie Wonder to Brandy, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott and more). Kehlani also gets candid about what it’s like growing up in the public eye, how her relationship to privacy has changed over time, and why she believes the “R&B is dead” narrative is simply untrue. Kehlani also shares memories from Grammy night, talks protecting her voice and body on tour (including recovering from sinus surgery), and highlights the artists she’s excited about right now. 

00:00 Intro
00:55 Teenage Kehlani + early hustle
01:36 Neo-soul & R&B influences (Stevie, Brandy, Badu)
02:20 Juilliard dream, dance school + the pivot to singing
03:37 Starting young: pros, cons + growing up in public
05:28 The state of R&B + “R&B isn’t dead”
07:15 Breaking through in 2026 + industry changes
09:40 How a song starts + their writing chemistry
11:02 Heartbreak sessions + studio memories
12:07 Protecting your voice + staying honest in the industry
13:57 Grammy night + what winning meant
16:53 Who Kehlani’s favorite new artists (Destin Conrad, Ambré, Ezra)
20:56 Balance, routine + protecting personal life
23:31 Tour prep, sinus surgery + vocal health
24:56 What “home” means now: community
26:50 Protecting perspective + wanting songs to feel like a “hug”
29:03 Outro

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#Kehlani #LeonThomas #RNB #BillboardCover #BillboardCoverInterview 

Leon Thomas & Kehlani Talk R&B’s Future, Wellness & Friendship | Billboard Cover Interview

Billboard
https://youtube.com/billboard

## Stats

- **Views:** 22,025
- **Likes:** 1,263
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 41

## Tags

billboardcover, rnb, leonthomas, billboardcoverinterview, kehlani

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