In ‘Everybody Business’, Kehlani gets real about the hazards of being in the public eye. As breezy and soothing the song appears to sound, its underlying meanings tackle some harsh and intense subjects that most fans might not otherwise think about.

What’s more, the entire song and accompanying video were produced during quarantine, which means the artist didn’t have nearly the same amount of freedom to venture outside and shell out on productive effects. Yet the at-home video is just as glamourous and stunning as can be possibly expected from the young artist’s works. Clad in sleeve and neck tattoos, the twenty-four-year-old has always seemed like a bold and edgy artist but she suffers from the same insecurities and vulnerable as the rest of us. Probably even more so than the average person, seeing how her professional and personal life is always getting studied and disparaged by social media critics. 

The video begins with recorded footage of an argument, cut with the name “kehlani” typed into the search engine. It represents how internet investigators are always keeping up with celebrities and their personal lives in this day and age; they consume their lives as if it’s their own without thinking about the profound repercussions of their constant dialogue and negativity. But Kehlani wants the public to know that the rumours don’t define her and that she’s trying her best to deal with. The most intriguing aspect is that it’s not some sort of direct jab at the media; she is instead addressing her lover and telling them that she’s not one to lie and put on a pretence. At her age, she can’t be “fazed”. The style of the tune is smooth and sexy, with some good, old-fashioned R&B vibes keeping the proceedings cool-as-a-cucumber and effortless. 

Like many of us, Kehlani is cooped up inside her home and going through isolation. But unlike the rest of us, her productivity remains as sharp as ever. Credit must be given to the production team, who make her music video look bright and appealing despite the circumstances. Kehlani jamming out in her purple suit and headphones tells us that it’s absolutely possible to feel lush and fancy during quarantine season. There’s no better time to live it up, in fact. 

 Singer-songwriter

Author: Shaoni Das

Shaoni Das is a writer/editor currently based in Edmonton, Canada. She remains eager to inspect how the changing culture of music impacts upon the greater world.