After Hours (Kehlani song)

"After Hours"
Single by Kehlani
from the album Crash
ReleasedApril 4, 2024 (2024-04-04)
GenreR&B
Length3:23
LabelAtlantic
Lyricist(s)
  • Kehlani Parrish
  • Khristopher Riddick-Tynes
  • Alex Goldblatt
  • Daniel Upchurch
  • Diovanna Frazier
  • Cordel Burrell
Producer(s)
  • Khris Riddick-Tynes
  • Alex Goldblatt
Kehlani singles chronology
"Everything"
(2022) 		"After Hours"
(2024) 		"Next 2 U"
(2024)
Lyric video
"After Hours" on YouTube

"After Hours" is a song by American singer-songwriter Kehlani. It was released through Atlantic Records as the lead single from her fourth studio album, Crash, on April 4, 2024.[1] The song was produced by Lionel Bermingham and Elijah Wells.[2] On May 24, 2024, a remix of the song using the instrumental of Destiny's Child's 2005 song "Cater 2 U" was released.[3] An official remix of the song, featuring Brazilian singer Ludmilla, was released on August 28, 2024, through Kehlani's While We Wait 2 mixtape. The song received a Grammy nomination for "Best R&B Song" at the 67th Grammy Awards.

Background

Kehlani first previewed "After Hours" on March 5, 2024, through her TikTok and began promoting the track throughout March.[4] On March 25, Kehlani posted an official snippet of the track and made the preview sound available on TikTok and YouTube.[5][6] They officially announced the single and its release date on April 1.[7]

Composition

"After Hours" contains a sample of Cordell "Skatta" Burrell's dancehall riddim "Coolie Dance Riddim", which was popularised in Nina Sky's April 2004 top-ten single, "Move Ya Body" featuring Jabba, and has been crowned a "summer anthem" by music critics.[8][9] The track "sees Kehlani lean into the levity of radio-friendly RnB" and is described as a "frivolous club-inclined track".[9]

Critical reception

Eric Torres of Pitchfork described "After Hours" as "a featherlight, upbeat reinterpretation that doubles as an expert showcase for Kehlani’s vocals".[10] In the context of the album, Michael Cragg of The Observer said the song "sets the tone, its nostalgic, club-based R&B a perfect summer soundtrack".[11]

Critics' year-end rankings of "After Hours"
Publication List Rank Ref.
NPR 124 Best Songs of 2024 — [12]

Personnel

Musicians

  • Kehlani Parrish – lead artist, vocals, songwriter, composer
  • Khristopher Riddick-Tynes – songwriter, composer, producer
  • Alex Goldblatt – songwriter, composer, producer
  • Daniel Upchurch – songwriter, composer
  • Diovanna Frazier – songwriter, composer
  • Cordel Burrell – songwriter, composer

Technical

  • Colin Leonard – mastering
  • Jaycen Joshua – mixing
  • Mike Seaberg – mixing
  • Jacob Richards – assistant mixing
  • Chris Bhikoo – assistant mixing

Charts

References

  1. ^ Saponara, Michael (April 4, 2024). "Kehlani Makes Magic on the Dance Floor for Vibrant 'After Hours' Single: Listen". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  2. ^ Bloom, Madison (April 4, 2024). "Listen to Kehlani's New Song "After Hours"". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  3. ^ "New Song: Kehlani – 'After Hours (Cater 2 U Remix)'". ThatGrapeJuice.net. May 24, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  4. ^ "👀 🎲 🥂 ……". TikTok. March 5, 2024. Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  5. ^ Trapp, Malcolm (March 26, 2024). "Kehlani Teases Musical Comeback With "After Hours" Snippet". Uproxx. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  6. ^ Mamo, Heran (March 26, 2024). "Kehlani Shares Dance-Worthy Snippet of Upcoming 'After Hours' Single". Billboard. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  7. ^ Kearns, Sarah (April 2, 2024). "Kehlani To Drop New Single "After Hours," Potentially Teasing Fourth LP". Hypebeast. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  8. ^ Kelly, Tyler Damara (April 5, 2024). "Kehlani returns with new single, "After Hours"". The Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on April 5, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Hussain, Shahzaib (April 5, 2024). "Kehlani Marks Return With Summer Anthem 'After Hours'". Clash. Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
  10. ^ Torres, Eric (July 1, 2024). "Kehlani: Crash". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  11. ^ Cragg, Michael (June 21, 2024). "Kehlani: Crash review - the perfect sexy summer soundtrack". The Observer. The Guardian. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  12. ^ "124 Best Songs of 2024". NPR. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  13. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  14. ^ "TurnTable Nigeria Top 100: April 26th, 2024 – May 2nd, 2024". TurnTable. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  15. ^ "Top 40 – 3 oktober tot 10 oktober 2024" [Top 40 – October 3 to October 10, 2024]. Nationale Top 40 Suriname. October 6, 2024. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
  16. ^ "Kehlani Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  17. ^ "Kehlani Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  18. ^ "Kehlani Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
  19. ^ "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2024". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
  20. ^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2024". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2024.