Kehlani, the Oakland-born, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, returned to her alma mater, Oakland School for the Arts, over the weekend and delivered an intimate performance of her hit "Folded" during a community celebration. The hometown visit put her just a few feet away from current students and neighborhood families, offering a rare up-close moment in the wake of her recent awards sweep.
Kehlani performs at her former school
According to Hip Hop Vibe, Kehlani made a special stop at Oakland School for the Arts during a weekend community event and sang her single "Folded." The outlet shared video of the appearance and described the performance as a full-circle moment for both the artist and the school. Hip Hop Vibe framed the visit as Kehlani reconnecting with the campus where she first began formal arts training.
Grammy wins and hometown momentum
Kehlani picked up two Grammy Awards for "Folded" at the 68th Annual GRAMMYs on Feb. 1, taking home Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song. The trophies marked her first wins from the Recording Academy, according to GRAMMY.com. The award haul has fueled a run of Bay Area appearances and shout-outs to local fans in recent weeks, setting the stage for her return to OSA.
Back to where it started
Oakland School for the Arts, a public charter founded in 2002, lists Kehlani among its notable alumni and offers programs in vocal music, dance, theater and visual media, according to the school. Oakland School for the Arts highlights a tradition of alumni visits and collaborations that bring working artists back into the classroom for current students.
Why the visit matters locally
The OSA stop followed a string of hometown appearances by Kehlani, including a sold-out Big Game block party in San José earlier in February, as covered by Hoodline. For students at arts-focused schools like OSA, moments like this underline how local arts education can grow into national success and give young performers a concrete example of what is possible after the final bell rings.
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