Kehlani, Everybody Business | Track Review 🎵

Grammy-nominated R&B artist Kehlani tries her best to tune out the haters on her enjoyable, well-rounded single, “Everybody Business.”

Despite the fact that no new album has materialized at this point (as of publication), Grammy-nominated R&B singer/songwriter Kehlani has remained busy throughout 2020, releasing numerous singles.  Among those singles are “Konclusions” (with ex, YG), “Valentine’s Day (Shameful)” (a response to “Konclusions”), and “Toxic”.  She’s back with her fourth single, “Everybody Business,” which plays to here strengths in a number of regards.

First and foremost, Kehlani sounds superb vocally on “Everybody Business.”  This is far and away the best thing about the record; she’s truly gifted.  What makes the vocal performance so well-rounded is her expressiveness, personality she infuses, and her tone.  Also, boding well in the favor of “Everybody Business” is the production.  This is a soulful cut yet also contemporary – fresh enough for 2020.  There’s nothing particularly innovative about the sound, but, it’s a solid R&B backdrop.  Again, if you’re keeping track, vocals and production are the biggest selling points.

The song itself is also quite enjoyable.  The question is, does “Everybody Business” sound like a surefire hit? I’d say not necessarily, but it’s sound; well-rounded.  Thematically, Kehlani tackles familiar territory – matters of the heart.  She commences “Everybody Business” with a bullet, or at least, it seems like she’d be willing to take one: “I ain’t never been a half-ass lover / Rather lay out on the train tracks for ya.” Yep, dedication.  The big takeaway, of course, is the fact that Lani is ignoring the haters. On the pre-chorus, she delivers one of the most memorable lines: “At my big ol’ age, I can’t be fazed / By what you mistake as going insane.” Of course, the centerpiece is the chorus:

“I hear every word they talk
Try not to care at all
I know it’s frontin’, don’t know me from nothin’
Still learning to shake it off
I know I can take it all
I know it’s frontin’
You know they frontin’, babe, yeah.”

Final Thoughts 

All in all, “Everybody Business” is another enjoyable single from Kehlani.  As aforementioned, I’m not sure that I’d label it a surefire hit, but, it’s successful overall.  Great vocals, nice production work, and some memorable lyrics.

Kehlani • “Everybody Business” • Atlantic • Release: 4.16.20

Photo Credit: Atlantic