Kehlani has released a new single, 'Back and Forth,' featuring Missy Elliott. The R&B track previews her upcoming self-titled album, due out on April 24 via Atlantic Records. The release coincides with the singer's 31st birthday.
Kehlani dropped 'Back and Forth' on Thursday, trading vocals with Missy Elliott on the chorus where they declare, “I ain’t goin’ back and forth tonight/ I’m goin’ out.” The song leads her fifth studio album, simply titled Kehlani, announced last month. It follows her 2024 release Crash, which included the Grammy-nominated single “After Hours.” At this year’s Grammys, Kehlani won Best R&B Performance for “Folded.” Kehlani spoke to Rolling Stone about Crash, saying, “Honestly, I just want people to have an experience. I want people to just love singing and dancing again. It is really that simple.” She added, “I contributed a lot to R&B in the last 10 years... To still be able to make splashes like this 10 years in, I think it’s a big deal.” For Missy Elliott, the collaboration marks another studio appearance after recent guest spots with Skrillex and Anitta. Elliott was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023, received a National Medal of Arts, sent a record into space, and launched her first North American tour. Kehlani is set to perform at Roots Picnic 2026 in Philadelphia in May, alongside Erykah Badu, Jay-Z, and Brandy at the festival's new venue, Belmont Plateau.