Grammy-Winning Singer Dethrones Last Year's No. 1 as Her Genre's Hottest Star of 2026

A decade of steady climbing just paid off in the biggest way.

Kehlani has been named the No. 1 artist on Billboard’s Hottest R&B Artists of 2026 list, a leap from No. 3 a year ago and a crowning moment for one of the genre’s most patient stars.

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Billboard’s staff, weighing chart success, cultural buzz, touring and business moves, placed Kehlani above some of the genre’s biggest names. Leon Thomas ranked No. 2, followed by Tems, RAYE and Chris Brown, the list’s No. 1 in 2025, who slipped to No. 5. Rounding out the top 10 were Jill Scott, Brent Faiyaz, Durand Bernarr, Giveon and kwn.

The Year That Changed Everything

Kehlani’s rise was powered by “Folded,” the breakout ballad that became her first Hot 100 top 10, peaking at No. 6, and her first No. 1 on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Its 17 straight weeks atop Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay set a record as the chart’s longest reign since it launched in 1993.

The song also earned Kehlani the first two Grammys of her career, for best R&B song and best R&B performance, at the 2026 ceremony. Her self-titled album Kehlani debuted at No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, her first leader there.

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A Changing of the Guard

The honors kept coming. At the BET Awards, Kehlani won best female R&B/Pop artist, ending SZA‘s three-year hold on the category, while “Folded” took video of the year. The 2026 BET Awards capped a run that turned a decade of groundwork into a breakout year. For fans who have followed her since the Cloud 19 days, the top spot feels overdue. Kehlani’s reaction to the honor was simple: “grateful.”