Grammy Award-winning R&B artist Kehlani hosted a meet-and-greet photo-op event on Friday at Fingerprints Music in Long Beach, in celebration of the release of their fifth self-titled album, “Kehlani”. Kehlani’s career has reached new heights this past year with the release of their Billboard Top 100 hit single “Folded,” which is featured on the new album.
A line of fans stretched across several blocks on Atlantic Ave. Friday morning, with some getting there as early as 7 a.m. to line up for the meet and greet at noon.
Owner and founder of Fingerprints, Rand Foster, weighed in on having Kehlani stop by the record store, which was once located on the famous Retro Row on 4th Street.
“We host a wide variety of artists and events, but today is definitely a big one,” Foster said.
The meet-and-greet was originally scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, but was postponed by the artist via Instagram due to illness, with many fans driving out for a second time that week to line up for a chance for their photo op with Kehlani.
Long-time fan Emma Doung and her friends drove two hours away from Temecula to be in line before 9 a.m.
“We came originally on Tuesday, and found out last minute that she was moving it to Friday,” said Duong.
Fans waited in line and posed for pictures before their opportunity to meet the Grammy Award-winning R&B artist, Kehlani, at her meet-and-greet pop-up held at Long Beach’s Fingerprints Music on Friday. Fans arrived as early as 7 a.m. to secure there spot in line. (Alyssa Redrup)
Duong and her friends were not bothered by the cancellation of Tuesday’s event and wished the artist a speedy recovery while standing in line with a speaker blasting Kehlani classics and singing along together.
The new album titled “Kehlani” features 17 tracks and features mega-artists such as Cardi B, Usher, Lil-Wayne, Leon Thomas, Big Sean and more. The song that stands out most is her breakout single that won Kehlani her first two Grammys this year, “Folded”.
“We love the new album. It’s an all-in-one, it’s heartbreak, recovery, and then finding self-love and new love. She’s just grown so much personally and as an artist,” said Duong.
Fans in line ranged across all ages, races, genders, and walks of life.
“I’ve loved watching her transition from each album, each one has its own theme and reminds me of a different point in my life,” Brianne Marquez said, who has been a fan of Kehlani since her debut mixtape in 2014, Cloud 19.
Brianne was in line with her twelve-year-old daughter, Eileen, who wore a red leather bomber jacket with a hand-painted portrait of Kehlani on the back by her mother.
“Certain songs I hear and it reminds me of Eileen being little and singing it to her in her car seat, now she’s up front singing it along with me,” Marquez said.
“I remember listening to Kehlani with my mom even when I was five or six; she is our favorite artist together, and she reminds me of my childhood,” Brianne’s twelve-year-old daughter, Eileen, said.
Many fans noted a nostalgic connection to Kehlani’s discography, which spans across the past decade, with certain albums marking specific eras of their own lives.
LBCC alumni and Kehlani fan, Elisa Castillo, recalls the first time she heard Kehlani’s music.
“My friend showed me one song of hers in 2018 and I remember going home and downloading her whole album,” Castillo said.
Fans described Kehlani’s album as “Confident. Sexy. Sultry. Grown. Authentic. Creative,” according to Castillo. Many fans noted Kehlani’s confidence as a major draw to her sound.
“She’s very herself, she’s not afraid to say what she thinks, and I love that. I wish I could be a little more like that; maybe that’s why I like her music so much,” Castillo said.
At noon, doors opened and fans filed inside Fingerprints for their photo op and purchased a CD or vinyl record. Many fans were seen leaving their meet and greet with smiles plastered across their faces, or some even in complete tears.
A fan of Grammy Award-winning R&B recording artist Khelani is overwhelmed with joy after buying her vinyl record at the meet-and-greet at Fingerprints Music on Friday, May 1. Many fans were having a hard time controlling their emotions after meeting the music star. (Alyssa Redrup)
Like many others waiting for the chance to meet Kehlani, super fan Adeola Swaby was overwhelmed with excitement, even crying when she got to meet her.
“She’s just so beautiful, and means so much to me,” Swaby said.
Record stores like Fingerprints, hosting events for fans to interact with or even see their favorite artists perform, allow music to be accessible for the fans, who most resonate with the artist and their message.
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