Kehlani Grammys moment: “Folded” earns first wins and sparks a political flashpoint

Kehlani left the 2026 Grammys as a first-time winner—twice—turning a long-awaited career milestone into one of the ceremony’s most debated moments. The singer won Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for “Folded” during the earlier awards presentation Sunday, then used the acceptance speech to deliver a blunt condemnation of U.S. immigration enforcement that quickly became a focal point of post-show reaction.

The dual win also moved Kehlani from perennial nominee to category leader in a single afternoon, a shift that can change everything from booking leverage to how the next album cycle is framed.

Two Grammys for “Folded”

“Folded” captured both R&B awards that reward different strengths: one for delivery and performance, the other for songwriting. Winning both is relatively rare and signals broad support across voters who prioritize craft, vocals, and composition.

The result immediately repositions “Folded” as more than a fan favorite. It is now an awards-certified track that can anchor setlists, licensing interest, and promotion well past its original release window.

A decade-long arc reaches a payoff

Kehlani’s acceptance speech leaned into the feeling of a long path finally landing. The singer referenced earlier nominations and the years of near-misses that can define mid-career artists—visible, successful, and influential, but still waiting on the industry’s most public stamp of approval.

That framing matters because it aligns with the way Kehlani’s career has unfolded: a steady climb built on touring, collaborations, and a dedicated audience, rather than a single flashpoint hit. Two wins in one day compress that story into a headline and create a clean “before and after” for the artist’s narrative.

The speech that dominated the conversation

After thanking supporters, Kehlani punctuated the moment with a profane anti-ICE statement that drew loud reaction in the room and even louder reaction afterward. The message echoed a broader theme seen throughout the weekend: artists using red carpets and speeches to address political issues directly rather than speaking in coded generalities.

Kehlani also wore an “ICE Out” pin, tying the speech to a visible symbol that other attendees displayed as well. The statement landed as a jolt partly because it came at a moment that typically follows a familiar awards script—gratitude, emotion, a quick shout-out, and off the stage. Instead, it pushed the ceremony into the day’s wider political discourse.

Red carpet visibility fuels the aftershocks

Kehlani’s Grammys impact wasn’t limited to the podium. The artist’s red carpet look—featuring a sheer, cutout-heavy design—sparked a parallel conversation about fashion, presentation, and how awards nights function as a stage for personal branding as much as music.

Together, the fashion moment and the speech created a two-track spotlight: one driven by style coverage and fan clips, the other by debate over activism and what belongs in an acceptance speech. That combination is often what makes an awards moment “stick” beyond the broadcast.

What the wins change next

For Kehlani, two Grammys can shift practical decisions in the months ahead—how touring is priced, how festival offers are negotiated, and how collaborators and producers view the next project. The wins also help “Folded” live longer commercially, because award recognition tends to revive streaming and radio interest even after a track’s initial peak.

There’s also a broader category signal: the R&B field rewarded a record that blends intimacy with polish, suggesting voters are still drawn to classic emotional clarity—songs built around voice, message, and structure—rather than only maximalist production.

Key takeaways

• Kehlani won Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for “Folded” on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026 (ET).

• The acceptance speech included a blunt anti-ICE statement and an “ICE Out” pin.

• The double win elevates “Folded” into a defining track for the next phase of Kehlani’s career.

Sources consulted: Recording Academy; Associated Press; Reuters; Pitchfork