Kehlani’s “Folded” Becomes GOATed: Covers From Brandy, Toni Braxton, And More
Kehlani‘s “Folded” is predicted to be a strong contender in the R&B categories at the 2026 Grammys— and for good reason. The Khris Riddick-Tynes, Andre Harris, Donovan Knight, and Don Mills production has become the biggest hit of her career.
Since its June 2025 release, it’s lived on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 16 weeks and recently peaked at No. 18, marking her first top 20 hit. Additionally, “Folded” is the No. 1 song on the Rhythmic chart, peaked No. 1 with Urban Mainstream Radio, and spent two weeks at No. 1 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs chart. She released the acoustic remix, “(un)Folded,” in July.
VIBE described “Folded” as a “multilayered, sensual ballad about love, lust, yearning, and seduction.” Of its meaning, Keh quipped, “I folded your clothes! Now come fold me up! and i’m folding! and i’m doing the folding! and coochies have folds… so many layers.”
It’s also took on a life of its own with fans and fellow singers.
When reflecting on the success of “Folded” last month, Kehlani shared on Instagram, “I’m here twiddling my thumbs wanting to drop what’s next but God saying watch me work. Looking like a ‘Folded‘ fall. I can’t thank you all enough. A song can change it all.”
Mario, Josh Levi, and Jai’Len Josey were among the first to put their own spin on “Folded.” However, the hypnotizing ballad has since reached GOAT status after the likes of Brandy, Toni Braxton, and JoJo remixed the record.
Kehlani has since confirmed via her Instagram Stories that a “Homage Pack [is] on the way,” supporting rumors and hopes that she should create a compilation EP of the covers. While we wait for a release date and for more information on her new album, relive the “Folded” era below with each cover that has just as much replay value as the original.
Brandy
Image Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Brandy shook the R&B streets when she dropped her version of “Folded” in mid-September. Fans had already been comparing Kehlani‘s riffs and runs to the Vocal Bible, so this made perfect sense.
“While I’m busy getting ready for the ALMOST SOLD OUT ‘THE BOY IS MINE TOUR,’ I took a little break from rehearsal to hop on the hottest song of the summer—my lil sis @kehlani ‘FOLDED.’ Adding some Brandy sauce to the mix feels so special because Kehlani is truly like my little sister, and I love her so much,” Brandy said about her cover.
Keh replied, “MY MOTHERRRRRRRR MY QUEEEEEEEN MY EVERYTHING MY ORIGIN MY HEART THE BIGGEST THE BEST!!!!!!! I LOVE U AND THIS IS THE HIGHEST HONORRRRR.”
Toni Braxton
Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for dcp
On Toni Braxton‘s birthday, she decided to gift fans a gift with her surprise cover.
“When I sing ‘Folded’— it’s UNFOLDED!,” wrote the icon. On her version, she urged women to “not let his body decide,” adding, “It’s time to use your mind.”
Kehlani‘s reaction summed up how we all felt. “AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH WHAAAAAAAAAAAAT,” she wrote with a series of crying emojis and heart eyes.
Tamar Braxton even praised this version when commenting, “She always Toni Braxton a song. I’m here for it.”
JoJo
Image Credit: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Spotify
JoJo knows how to body a record— just refer to her cover of “Marvin’s Room.” So when she dropped a “JO-LDED” remix, fans already knew it was going to be monumental.
The songbird shared, “Love this song love this beautiful artist & human @kehlani— thanks for asking me to hop on and make a ‘JO-LDED’ remix. Here’s a lil somethin I wrote last night to theeeee song of the moment- straight from the studio. Thank you for always showing me love, standing up for what’s right, & fully embodying fearlessness. Xoxoxoxoxooxooxoxoxo.”
Kehlani gave her an outpouring of flowers in the comments and added, “I LOVE YOU SO DEEPLY. FOREVER EMBEDDED IN MY DNA!”
Mario
Image Credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Mario‘s rendition hit the streets in late August as a gift for Virgo season.
“UNFOLDING VIRGO SEASON,” said the crooner. “You know if it’s real R&B #mariomonday gotta sliiiide!!! S/O to @kehlani for giving is this masterpiece!”
Kehlani jokingly called it and him “my #1.”
Tank
Image Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
Not long after Toni Braxton shared her “Folded” cover, Tank entered the chat.
“Alright, Kehlani. Now, this ‘Folded’ s**t is crazy. It’s getting outta control. F**king smash record. Super smash,” he teased. As the self-proclaimed “challenge king,” he initially told fans he needed 24 hours before dropping his version.
He ended up releasing his cover within a few hours. “Why wait?.. Come get ‘Folded’..,” he teased. In true Tank fashion, he made the record entirely his own with new musical arrangements and an original verse.
Honorable Mentions: Eric Bellinger, Jacquees, And More
Image Credit: Courtesy of Atlantic Records
We couldn’t let the aforementioned GOATs have all the fun and neither could these artists because like we said, “Folded” is one of the greatest R&B records of 2025 and we collectively can’t get enough.
Check out an extended list of other amazing covers from the likes of Eric Bellinger, Vedo, and Jacquees to Jai’Len Josey, Queen Naija, and Tiffany Evans.
Eric Bellinger
Vedo
Jai’Len Josey
Queen Naija
Josh Levi
Tiffany Evans
Jacquees
Trevor Jackson
Sainted Trap Choir
Aaron Page
Kenyon Dixon
