Kehlani Says Brandy Should Be On Every R&B Singer’s Mount Rushmore Of Vocalists

Kehlani believes Brandy Norwood is so influential, so technically unmatched, that she deserves a permanent place on the modern R&B singer’s personal Mount Rushmore of vocalists.

During a recent appearance on BigBoyTV, the Grammy-nominated artist offered an outpouring of praise for Brandy that underscored both her deep admiration and the profound impact Brandy continues to have on today’s vocalists—including herself.

Brandy Norwood attends The Official Launch – attends Stella Rosa Premium Imported Brandy at Warwick on November 10, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

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Reflecting on joining Brandy onstage during a performance of “The Boy Is Mine” on the Boy Is Mine tour with Monica, Kehlani made it clear that no matter how far her own career goes, Brandy will always hold a uniquely elevated position in her life and artistry.

“We’ll never call her a peer. We’ll always call her a mother,” Kehlani said of Brandy, often referred to as the “Vocal Bible.” She continued to gush over Norwood’s role as a guiding force whose influence shaped her long before they ever shared a stage.

Kehlani performs on Day 2 of the 2023 Sol Blume Festival at Discovery Park on August 20, 2023 in Sacramento, California.

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The songstress doubled down on that reverence when discussing Brandy’s elite standing among vocalists.

“In my Mount Rushmore of R&B… I think every R&B singer that you ask, if you’re talking about vocal goats, they’re going to say Brandy,” she asserted. Then, with finality, she added: “I will never be explaining Brandy Norwood to anybody.”

For Kehlani, even appearing briefly to honor Brandy would have been enough.

Brandy Norwood speaks onstage during a Stella Rosa event at JoJo’s Beloved Cocktail Lounge on February 29, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.

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“Even if they had only brought me out to give her her flowers and say what I got to say, that would have been just as good as being able to sing my song,” she shared, emphasizing how meaningful the moment felt.

Their connection has become increasingly visible to fans, especially since Brandy participated in Kehlani’s “Folded” challenge back in September. The collaboration was viewed by many as a symbolic bridge between generations.

Before ending the interview, Kehlani also teased her own next creative era, revealing that her forthcoming album is tentatively slated for Spring 2026.

Kehlani arrives at the Fashion Trust U.S. Awards 2025 at The Lot at Formosa on April 08, 2025 in West Hollywood, California.

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