Summary (tl;dr)

Kehlani has finally won her first two Grammy Awards at the 2026 ceremony, breaking a decade-long streak of nominations without a win, and used her platform to deliver a political message.

Essential Background

Kehlani, a prominent R&B artist, has been consistently nominated for Grammy Awards since 2016, with her first nomination for "You Should Be Here". Despite several nods over the past decade, she had not secured a win until the recent ceremony. Her 2025 hit single, "Folded," gained significant traction and earned her two nominations for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.

The Full Story

On Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, Kehlani secured her first-ever Grammy wins, taking home awards for Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for her track "Folded". The wins mark a significant career milestone for the 30-year-old artist, who had been nominated multiple times over ten years without a victory. During her acceptance speech, an emotional Kehlani expressed gratitude to her adopted mother and also notably used the occasion to publicly criticize U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), showing solidarity with nationwide protests against the agency. She appeared on the red carpet with an "ICE Out" pin, further emphasizing her stance. The majority of the awards, including Kehlani's, were presented during the Premiere Ceremony, which streamed online ahead of the main telecast.

Why It Matters

Kehlani's dual Grammy wins are a major career validation, signifying a breakthrough after years of critical acclaim and multiple nominations. This achievement celebrates her artistic perseverance and the commercial success of "Folded." Beyond the music industry, her decision to use the acceptance speech as a platform for political activism against ICE highlights the increasing trend of artists leveraging major public events to raise awareness for social and political causes, potentially influencing public discourse and inspiring other figures to speak out.

Geographic Location

• Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States (68th Annual Grammy Awards main ceremony and red carpet)
• Peacock Theater, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States (68th Annual Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony where Kehlani accepted awards)