As Kehlani prepares to make a splash on the R&B charts with their third studio album, the April 29-released ‘Blue Water Road,’ reports surfaced the LP may not see that success mirrored on the Pop charts.
En route to entering the Billboard 200 with their lowest first-week sales to date (as we reported here), the moderate commercial response to the project – according to some of her diehard fans – is due to the limited promotion its been afforded, especially related to live performances and interviews.
But, those hoping for a ramp up of the latter were dealt a surprising blow this week when the 27-year-old took to social media to confirm they will not be granting any more sit-down chats with media outlets.
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The already modest support schedule for ‘Blue Water Road’ was crashed this week when Kehlani expressed disinterest in continuing to promote the project via traditional avenues.
“No more interviews,” they wrote on their Instagram Story (as captured by our friends at TJB). “Support the music or don’t Im done.”
In a separate slide, the ‘Up at Night’ crooner doubled down on the stance.
“All I care about is me fans, only people I care about serving is the fans, I’m here for y’all and that’s it,” Lani said.
Although Kehlani did not clarify if there was a specific incident that spurred the statements, the announcement follows a slew of other Urban acts, including Cardi B, SZA, Summer Walker, and others, who have cited protection of mental health as reasons they will limit or completely cut their interactions with traditional press.
[photo source: Bria Alysse for Billboard]
Your thoughts?
I will always support freedom for talented artists to do as they please regardless of the media but don’t be surprised if your stuff flops and you find out your fanbase is smaller than you thought it was when you retreat.
Summer Walker really must be the new it girl tho cause I literally had no idea she was releasing her sophomore when she dropped it and she still did great
Summer Walker makes good music and keeps her fans engaged. All the controversy surrounding her baby daddy helped too.
Bye ho💅🏾
Is everyone they now?
😂😂💀
The only people watching the interviews are the fans, outsiders just so happen to watch but they aren’t in tune when and what time you have these interviews. Don’t do this to yourself kehlani… 🥴