How Kehlani Sparked the Biggest Song of Jordan Adetunji’s Career
When 25-year-old Jordan Adetunji stumbled upon Logan Paul’s IMPAULSIVE podcast episode with Kehlani last year, little did he know that the Cali-raised singer would become the unexpected muse for the biggest song of his career.
“I was watching an interview on [Logan Paul’s] IMPAULSIVE podcast. It was in my living room, and I remember saying to my brother, ‘Damn. [Kehlani] looks great,'”says the Northern Ireland native. “But it wasn’t just that … It was how much she’s done over the years, and still been able to be such an uplifting person and a boss in her own way. I have always wanted to write a song about a woman who is a boss, creative in her way, and leads in her strides. For me, it just made sense. She was the picture of that. That’s why I put her name in there.”
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Released in May, “KEHLANI” pays homage to the singer’s boss-like demeanor, and has soared on social media, becoming a go-to summer bop. Adetunji’s shifty vocal mastery over the slippery beat — based on a sample of Summer Walker’s “Potential” — helped spin “KEHLANI” into TikTok gold when the R&B star shared clips of her singing the song herself, igniting the flame for the track.
“It’s funny ’cause I just kept posting it so many times, and I was like, ‘She’s definitely gonna see it eventually,'” Adetunji remembers. “When I saw the video [of her singing to it], I was sleeping. It was U.K. time. When I woke up, I had seen it in the morning. I was like, ‘Oh damn!’ Someone sent it to me. She actually did two videos instead of one, too. I was gassed.”
With a summer heater and a new deal with 300 Entertainment and Warner Records U.K. in his pocket, Adetunji looks to make his next move soon, when he unveils the song’s remix — with, you guessed it, Kehlani.
“Working with an artist like Jordan, who has such a strong vision for “KEHLANI” and the music space he is creating for himself, has been amazing,” says Adetunji’s manager, Dan Jenkins. “There have been a few challenges and lessons over the past few years, but I’ve watched Jordan grow massively as an artist and it was only a matter of time before this moment happened for him!”
Billboard spoke to Adetunji about the song’s climb up the Billboard Hot 100, teaming up with Kehlani for his biggest hit, and why he wants to work with Cash Cobain.
Are you from Northern Ireland?
I was born in London and I moved from there when I was 10 years old to Northern Ireland. So I grew up in Northern Ireland. I did all my life in school there — still live there — but I go back and forth from London. That’s currently where I do my music, where I started, and that’s where home is for me for now.
When was your first period of discovery with music?
[My early days on] the internet. The internet was my best friend. It’s funny because before that, when I first started listening to music, I used to have this green iPod Nano. That’s kind of how I used to listen to music. I used to have a family friend — he would put all these new songs on my thing, like early Drake, early mixtapes [from him] and Meek Mill. That’s how I first listened to [music]. He listened to a lot of R&B from female singers. That’s kind of what I started really listening to at that time a lot. A lot of Jhené Aiko. It was funny. A lot of stuff like that.
Was there a specific Jhené song or project that opened that gate up for you?
I remember hearing “The Worst” for the first time. One of the first projects she did, I really loved. A lot of that stuff. Even The Weeknd, House of Balloons, that was the first kind of R&B stuff I was listening to when I was young.
When did you decide that music was ultimately going to be your life’s passion?
When I was in school and I didn’t like doing work. I was like, “Yeah, I’m gonna be an artist.” That was from then when I was like 15, 16. That was the only thing on my mind. I was like, “I’m gonna make it happen, no matter what.” It’s a thing that I was motivated in. I played the trumpet in school. I only did that to get out of class, so I didn’t have to do school work. I used it as a thing. I enjoyed music. It set me free from anything. At that time, it set me free from school work since I didn’t like to do so.
What were the conversations like with your family about pursuing music, despite your school work suffering?
My mom was always supportive about it. She understands what’s it like to be a creative, because she’s a very creative person herself. So I did have freedom in that. As long as I did try my best, she was always happy and I’d try my best at anything that I put my mind to. As long as I was doing that, I think she was very supportive in that. They’d make sure to have structure in my life. That was always an important thing for her. I always felt like I’ve been able to do that. We’re here now. Everything is timing. That’s my favorite saying. I was ready for this moment and I’m ready for the next moments to come.
“KEHLANI” has climbed to No. 52 on the Hot 100 so far. You recorded that song in your bedroom. Take me back to that day and the creative process behind it.
It’s funny because I was watching an interview on [Logan Paul’s] IMPAULSIVE podcast. It was in my living room and I remember saying to my brother like, “Damn. She looks great,” but it wasn’t just that. It was the fact of how much she’s done over the years and still been able to be such an uplifting person and also a boss in her own way. I always wanted to write a song about a woman who is a boss and also creative in her own way and leads in her strides. For me, it just made sense. She was the picture of that. That’s why I put her name in there.
At the start, I was feeling like, “Ooh. Should I do that? How is it gonna go? This can go wrong,” but I’m a risk-taker. I don’t care. I’m gonna post this. It is what it is today. That’s why I’m happy I took that risk. Writing a song about someone, they might not mess with it, but she was a good sport. She’s really been supportive this whole process. Shout out to her for that, for real.
How did she come across the record?
I was posting it on TikTok until she seen it. That was my goal, for her to see it and hear it. I remember I posted it on Instagram and I @’ed her account like, “I love you.” That was the first post, and it was an edit I made of her. I made like an Instagram edit, and I think she liked it. I started pushing it on TikTok, and she seen it. That was amazing. It’s funny, ’cause I just kept posting it so many times and I was like, she’s definitely gonna see it eventually. When I seen the video [of her singing to it], I was sleeping. It was U.K. time. When I woke up, I had seen it in the morning. I was like, “Oh damn!” Someone sent it to me. She actually did two videos instead of one, too. I was gassed.
What was the conversation like after when she finally saw the video?
She was so supportive and showed me so much love. She would tell me to just enjoy every moment. That’s one thing that I really appreciate about her. She took me and showed me that love. Like I said, it could have gone wrong. All these things, I see as a risk, but I’m glad she was able to show me love about it. Even listening to the song and listening to what I’m saying, I’m really trying to show love and uplift her ’cause she’s such a great human being. She was really supportive and sent me a ton of messages. She’s dope.
Are there discussions about a remix with Kehlani herself?
Yeah, there’s a remix. We’re gonna see how we’re gonna drop it. It’s gonna be an interesting one, but I’m excited for it — because her verse was fire. She was talking her stuff on that. I’m excited to get that one to the people, so they can hear it and really take it in.
Congrats on signing your deal with 300 and Warner UK. What made you decide to go with them?
It made sense culturally for me. A lot of people that’s been at 300, I’ve listened to them and their music. It really fit. I met Kevin [Liles]. He flew out here. That just showed me alone and it gave me family vibes. I thought that made the most sense to me, because they really felt like a family to me. It was the right move for me.
Kevin dubs you as a “generational talent.” How do you navigate your young career, trying to manage with those expectations?
I’m ready for that. I’m so ready for that because for me, the world gets to see how much I can give them. I feel like it’s my journey. I feel like it’s my world. Everyone has to come on the journey with you. They’re buying into your world. I’m excited for people to see mine and how I view the world. That’s how I see music and that’s how I see it for me.
Before the success of “KEHLANI,” you released an EP called Rock & Rave in 2023. What would you want fans to know about you during that era before all the fame?
It just shows my interests and how I kind of see myself. That’s why I made that. It’s all about the sonics with that mixtape I made and how diverse my music is and showing my influences. From dance music to rock music to R&B, it was about how I was fusing them altogether. That’s what that project was. The cover art is very anime. You see a lot of video games. I’m into video games and I like seeing myself as the main character, sometimes. I like altering the way things are perceived and making people scratch their heads. I feel like we’re in a simulation. I’m playing my own video game. That’s kind of how I wanna show my music. Like with all my visuals, my videos, I want them to buy into my world and see what it is.
Is there a specific video game or anime character you relate to most?
Itachi from Naruto. I always have this admiration for him. I love his look, I love everything. When it comes to video games, I love Tekken. I love the esthetic of the characters. It’s crazy. Another anime I love is Full Metal Alchemist. I love the storyline and stuff like that, but Tekken, look-wise, that’s always something I loved. I love Japan. I love Tokyo. I love that whole aesthetic.
What kind of chances are you taking on your upcoming EP on the production side that you weren’t quite able to do on Rock & Rave?
We’re definitely switching it up. It’s gonna be more sexy. You’re gonna still hear elements of Rock & Rave, but it’s just a different take of that in a smoother way. I feel like Rock & Rave is very experimental. It’s a different sound, a bit left, more feeling and a vibe this time.
Are there any features or special producers you’re looking for?
I’m open. I’m open to do features and stuff like that, but right now, I wanna get the songs right. Once I get the songs right, we’ll see about the features. I love what Cash Cobain is doing right now, and the boys in New York. I feel like their sound has influenced this new wave. I have to tap in with them and get that going.
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