R&B reigning queen Kehlani told the world she was here to stay when she dropped her iconic album SweetSexySavage on Janaury 27th, 2017. A simpler, sweeter, sexier time...

It doesn’t really need an explanation—you know exactly what Kehlani means when she sings. Without sugarcoating or softening a word, the multiplatinum songstress will drop a hard truth in one breath and flip a middle finger in the next. She may extend a seductive invitation or an empathetic plea before leaving you in your thoughts and feelings. Either way, she finds a way to consistently relate without filter. With each move, she strengthens this connection to listeners everywhere. 

Now with streams in the billions, collabs with the likes of Cardi B & Justin Bieber, and two GRAMMY nominations, Kehlani is a true 21st century R&B icon, and her journey really kicked off with the release of her full-length debut SweetSexySavage.

Back in 2017, the album bowed at #3 on the Billboard Top 200 and eventually went gold. Between selling out dates on the SweetSexySavage Tour (including here in New Zealand), the record closed out the year on Pitchfork’s “The 50 Best Albums of 2017” and Rolling Stone’s “20 Best R&B Albums of 2017.” 

Celebrating the album's 5th birthday we thought we'd outline 5 of the best bops on SweetSexySavage - Not going to lie, narrowing it down to five was the biggest challenge here. 

1. Crazy

Best lyric: 
Everything I do, I do it with a passion
If I gotta be a b****, I'ma be a bad one

Slay. Queen.
 

2. Distraction

Best Lyric:  
Do me a favor, pick me up, take me out later
Don't worry about no paper
'Cause I got mine stacked up for nights like this

Big boss b**** energy right there.

3. Gangsta (From Suicide Squad The Album) 

Best Lyric: 
I need a gangsta
To love me better
Than all the others do
To always forgive me
Ride or die with me
That's just what gangsters do

You and me both sis, you and me both.
 

4. Keep On 

Best Lyric: 
'Cause I ain't been the best that I coulda been
I ain't do the shit that I shoulda did
But every time I come crawling on my knees
You're there

If you can't handle me at my worst, you don't deserve me at my best, am I right?
 

5. In My Feelings 

Best Lyric: 
Why do you make me feel like I'm less than my worth
And it won't be for long, I ain't having it
You don't do the shit that you said would be done
You find it fun, to feel shit and run

Boy bye.