On August 5, Kehlani found themselves caught up in a media storm they had no idea was brewing. The “Next 2 U” singer’s ex and their daughter’s (Adeya Nomi) father, Javaughn Young-White, reportedly filed for legal custody.
But it was what Young-White alleged in the filing documents in what had the potential to tear the blended family apart. Young-White claimed Kehlani was involved in a cult and feared for their daughter’s safety. By August 7, both parents had slammed the exaggerated headlines (specifically TMZ) surrounding Young-White’s claim.
Yesterday (August 9), Young-White shared another statement to his official Instagram page. In the post, he acknowledged that he “deeply regrets” insinuating that Kehlani was involved in a cult. He also doubled down on that fact that his initial statement, submitted by way of his former counsel, was “never approved for submission.”
Read his full statement below.
Instagram
Prior, Kehlani addressed the allegations in their Instagram Stories. “What has been published in the media over the past 24 hours is incredibly hurtful, inaccurate, inappropriate, and simply untrue,” they wrote. “I strongly deny any claims that I have put my child in harm’s way, or left my child alone with anyone deemed dangerous or unsafe. I also do not align with any of the allegations made against my former religious community that have been stated in the media.”
It turns out that neither Kehlani nor Young-White are happy with how their legal situation has been covered in the media.
In a written statement shared on their Instagram Story last night (August 6), Kehlani wrote:
“What has been published in the media over the past 24 hours is incredibly hurtful, inaccurate, inappropriate, and simply untrue. I wanted to take the time to ensure that I responded to these accusations from a calm and considered space rather than a reactive one.
I strongly deny any claims that I have put my child in harm’s way, or left my child alone with anyone deemed dangerous or unsafe. I also do not align with any of the allegations made against my former religious community that have been stated in the media.
I have always taken great care to ensure that my child remains protected and safe at all times. My child and my commitment to motherhood have always been my sole driving forces in this life and will always remain so.
This is who I am and what I have always been focused on.
This is a legal, private, familial matter that will be handled accordingly, and I will now be taking space for my own personal well-being and, most importantly, for the well-being of my child.
Thank you for your support and for respecting our privacy.
I will not be commenting further and will let the legal due process take place.
-Kehlani.”
Then, in a statement shared in an Instagram post, Young-White tagged TMZ and wrote:
“I never said that I think Santeria is a sex cult. Nor did I say that my daughter is in a sex cult. That’s factually incorrect and I think it’s disgusting that TMZ would exploit a child’s image like that. Further, I have not been made aware of any court ordered mediation as of writing this per the account of TMZ. Personally, I would love for TMZ to justify to me, the father, how they came up with this narrative.
The TMZ article sensationalized aspects of what was said while simultaneously breaching my confidentiality. Further, the filing of my case was incomplete and did not have my authorization by error of counsel. I am no longer represented by the aforementioned counsel. There will be an amended filing soon which will illustrate the full range of my concern.
I do not need to paint an unfair image of my co-parent for my justifiable feelings to be respected by the court of law. This unfortunate trauma only increases the obstacles in ensuring my child’s wellbeing.
For now, I am hoping to clear the discrepancies made by TMZ. I hope to see a formal retraction and apology.
Sincerely,
Javaughn Young-White.”
TMZ has not yet responded to Kehlani and Young-White’s posts.
Co-parenting isn’t always smooth sailing, and new court documents suggest that Kehlani and her ex, Javaugn Young-White, have been navigating rocky waters. The acclaimed singer has recently captivated audiences with her vocal support of a ceasefire in Palestine, encouraging her peers to boldly speak out on political issues. As praise began to roll in from those who agreed with her views, a shocking personal life twist emerged after Young-White filed a lawsuit against Kehlani regarding their five-year-old daughter, Adeya Nomi.
Young-White, a musician, and Kehlani Parrish reportedly began dating in 2018 when they were said to have met or worked together. Adeya would arrive in March 2019, but the couple decided to end their relationship only a few months later. Details regarding their breakup were kept close to the vest, yet, in interviews, Kehlani suggested that she and Young-White were a healthy balance.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 18: Kehlani headlines the west stage at All Points East Festival 2023 at Victoria Park on August 18, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Gus Stewart/Redferns)
“I have a 2-year-old daughter…She’s the best. Me and her dad are like really, really close friends, and the decision to start a family was really easy for us because we both believed in each other’s ability to be good parents,” the singer said back in 2021. “We just focus on being a team, honestly, and when I was able to tell him I’ve come to newer terms with my sexuality and he’s super, super, super supportive,” the singer said.
However, it was recently announced that Young-White is taking the mother of his daughter to court. In his lawsuit, he is asking for full custody of Adeya, alleging that Kehlani belongs to a cult led by an abuser who is helping to keep the little girl from her father. Kehlani has yet to answer these accusations. We also recognize that Young-White has made further allegations on social media, including claiming Kehlani practices Santeria and lies about his sexuality. The singer revealed that she was a lesbian years ago and stated that the father of her child was bisexual. For this breakdown, we will focus on some of the more scathing claims made by Young-White in court documents only in his plea to gain guardianship.
To begin, Young-White shone a light on how Adeya entered the world. “Adeya was born through a home birth orchestrated by what I would describe as a cult that she belongs in,” the documents read. “The main reason that I am filing this petition is that [Kehlani] has been involved in this cult for the past few years and it appears that this cult controls her actions and her behavior, including when it comes to the upbringing of our daughter.”
Throughout the paperwork, Kehlani’s mental state is underscored. Young-White is adamant that the singer is being manipulated or controlled in her “cult” environment, making it difficult for him to see or spend time with Adeya. He is also asking the court to require Kehlani to undergo a psychological examination to determine if she is mentally fit to care for their daughter.
Javaughn Says His Name Isn’t On Daughter’s Birth Certificate
Because Adeya wasn’t born in a medical facility, there were issues regarding her birth certificate and legal documents. “Due to the fact that Adeya was born in a home and not in a conventional setting like a hospital, my name is not on Adeya’s birth certificate,” he wrote. Since Adeya was born, he has requested Kehlani amend the paperwork to show he is her father. However, Young-White added he can’t get an answer from Kehlani regarding when and if that will happen. Moreover, the guitarist asserts he isn’t even sure if Adeya has a Social Security number, suggesting that Kehlani will not communicate with him. Young-White admitted that there was a time when he would accompany Kehlani on tour and care for their daughter.
The Alleged Cult Leader Said Javaughn Would Kill His Daughter
Regarding this alleged cult Kehlani is a part of, Young-White explained that he hasn’t been able to have much contact with Adeya because of an alleged “vision” the group’s leader had. “For example, the cult leader, who goes by the name of Neto, convinced Respondent that he had a vision that I was a danger to our daughter and would kill her.” He said Neto told Kehlani that Young-White would harm the little girl and “banned Respondent from allowing me to see Adeya.” There are also allegations that “religious ceremonies” are being performed on or around Adeya, and during those times, “no one is allowed to be in the room.”
Javaughn Claims The Cult Leader Was Accused Of Sexual Assault
More about Neto is sure to surface in the coming weeks, but Young-White is ensuring that his perspective of the purported cult leader is included in the lawsuit. The musician stated that Neto has “numerous accusations of committing sexual assault” involving young girls and adult women. This is an obvious concern if true, with Young-White stressing that “random strangers” have been set in place to look after Adeya when Kehlani is busy. These people reportedly include Neto and other members of the alleged cult.
Young-White also mentions a woman associated with the cult who he knows as “Messiah.” According to him, Messiah is one of several members of the cult who have been allowed to bathe and sleep in a bed with Adeya. He further said in the documents that Messiah uses psychedelic drugs while taking baths with his daughter.
As previously stated, Young-White is petitioning the court for full custody of his and Kehlani’s five-year-old daughter. He also wants her name legally changed to “Adeya Parrish Young-White” and wants evidence of the girl’s Social Security card and birth certificate records. The musician also wants his name added to Adeya’s birth certificate. “I am not here to disparage [Kehlani]. However, the environment that she has created for herself is not the type of environment that a child should be living, and therefore, I bring myself to the mercy and wisdom of the Court to save my daughter before it is too late.”
It was also emphasized that Young-White attempted to come to a resolution without going to court. However, he claims Kehlani “resorts to disparaging me online to her millions of social media followers” rather than “addressing [his] feelings” head-on. Kehlani has not publicly responded to the claims, but her friends have taken to social media to defend her name.
Jordan Adetunji went viral on TikTok with his song “KEHLANI” earlier this year. On the track, he shouts out several people, including Tyla, and the track’s namesake, Kehlani. The song led to fans hoping that Kehlani would jump on a potential remix. After nearly four months, Kehlani acquiesced, adding her own spin to what has become a track with nearly 100 million listens on Spotify. Adetunji’s original track is left entirely untouched. He does not add any new lyrics to his parts. His verses are quick and catchy. The beat is still as catchy as ever, maybe even more than the verses. Producer Villa Beatz clearly took inspiration from the more atmospheric drill sound that Cash Cobain introduced to the New York hip-hop scene. Kehlani adds her verse between the hook and Adetunji’s second verse. She’s very blunt, looking for someone who can both match her energy and her freak.
Kehlani also brought Jordan Adetunji out at the launch party for Crash, her latest album, in June. The album received praise from her fans. Adetunji performed his viral hit there and was thankful for the opportunity to perform in front of that crowd. The Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month for July caps off a very successful month by getting to work with the person his viral track is named after. Listen to “KEHLANI (REMIX)” below.
Jordan Adetunji & Kehlani – “KEHLANI (REMIX)”
Quotable Lyrics:
I like a b*tch that match my energy, act like she into me Tell the world you mine and you not what these b*tches been to me It’s plenty of fishes in the sea, I need me the biggest freak Step out like my wife will bust me down like she my enemy Oh, I need a brand new starting five, I need a new one on my mind I just need someone to fall in line, oh-oh
All it takes is one hit. It’s a saying that the music industry carries in their back pocket 24/7 as it’s applicable to both rising artists and the biggest superstars around. Jordan Adetunji is the former, but there’s no doubt that he feels like a star nowadays. The Nigerian singer by way of Belfast, UK, skyrocketed to fame thanks to his hit record, “KEHLANI.” The song, released earlier this year, quickly tallied over 100 million streams and earned Adetunji a record deal with 300 Entertainment. As if that wasn’t enough, “KEHLANI” is about to get a second burst of life after Kehlani herself issued a remix with new verse.
“Making a song about Kehlani was a no brainer to me, her confidence and huge cultural impact is something I love!” Adetunji said earlier this year about the song. The love was felt by Kehlani previously shared videos soundtracked by the song on TikTok. The new remix further proves her love for the song, as well as her support for Adetunji who already had a career trending in the right direction thanks to past records like “ZACK & CODY” and “DECAY.” Now, thanks to “KEHLANI” as well as help from Kehlani, Adetunji has all the eyes on him to prove he’s here to stay. Like I said, all it takes is one record.
With the “KEHLANI” remix out now, as well as its matching visual (which you can watch below), we caught up with Jordan Adetunji to learn more about him and discover his inspirations, influences, and aspirations for this week’s Uproxx Music 20 column.
What would you be doing now if it weren’t for music?
I’d be creating or designing a game.
If you could see five years into the future or go five years into the past, which one would you pick and why?
Five years into the past, I’d try to save people I love the most with the knowledge I now have.
What’s one piece of advice you’d go back in time to give to your 18-year-old self?
You’re right. It’s going to happen, remember it’s about timing.
It’s 2050. The world hasn’t ended, and people are still listening to your music. How would you like it to be remembered?
True definition of art. Different brush each time but still such beautiful work. I want people to see different eras. And different eras to my creativity of my story.
With her/their new album Crash out, Kehlani is back in the limelight and making the rounds — which this album cycle, includes NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Concerts series. The Bay Area singer’s fourth album came out in the year of what she calls her “luckiest number,” but fans are truly the lucky ones, as Kehlani’s Tiny Desk Concert showcased the full range of their prodigious talents.
Kehlani and their band put on a one-of-a-kind show, for sure, but for fans who feel that just watching from a screen isn’t enough, the singer has announced the dates of their Crash World Tour, which begins September 4 in Minneapolis with opening acts Anycia and FLO. You can see the dates for that below.
Kehlani 2024 Tour Dates: Crash World Tour
09/04 — Minneapolis, MN @ Armory
09/06 — Chicago, IL @ Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
09/10 — Detroit, MI @ Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre
09/11 — Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
09/13 — Bridgeport, CT @ Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
09/14 — Camden, NJ @ Freedom Mortgage Pavillion
09/17 — Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall at Fenway
09/18 — Fairfax, VA @ EagleBank Arena
09/20 — Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
09/21 — Portsmouth, VA @ Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion
09/23 — Louisville, KY @ The Louisville Palace Theatre
09/24 — Atlanta, GA @ Lakewood Amphitheatre
09/25 — New Orleans, LA @ The Fillmore New Orleans
09/27 — Miami, FL @ FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park
09/28 — Tampa, FL @ Yuengling Center
10/01 — Raleigh, NC @ Red Hat Amphitheater
10/02 — Charlotte, NC @ Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre
10/08 — Houston, TX @ 713 Music Hall
10/11 — Dallas, TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
10/12 — Rogers, AR @ Walmart AMP
10/15 — Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium
10/16 — Salt Lake City, UT @ Rockwell at The Complex
10/18 — Seattle, WA @ Climate Pledge Arena
10/19 — Portland, OR @ Theater of the Clouds
10/21 — Vancouver, BC @ Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
10/23 — Wheatland, CA @ Hard Rock Live
10/25 — San Diego, CA @ Viejas Arena
10/26 — Las Vegas, NV @ Michelob ULTRA Arena
10/29 — Phoenix, AZ @ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
10/30 — Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum
11/02 — San Francisco, CA @ Chase Center
Kehlani has announced the CRASH WORLD TOUR, her highly anticipated tour following the release of her latest album, CRASH.
The tour, produced by Live Nation, will span 31 cities across North America, starting on September 4th at the Armory in Minneapolis. The tour will include stops in major cities such as Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, concluding at the Chase Center in San Francisco on November 2nd.
Special guests FLO and ANYCIA will join Kehlani on the tour, adding extra excitement to the already anticipated performances. Tickets for the CRASH WORLD TOUR will be available for Citi card members starting July 23 at 2 p.m. local time through the Citi Entertainment program, and the general public can purchase tickets beginning July 26 at 10 a.m. local time via Kehlani.com.
This tour marks Kehlani’s return to the stage, promising fans an unforgettable experience featuring new music and dynamic performances.
CRASH 2024 NORTH AMERICA TOUR DATES: Wed Sep 04 – Minneapolis, MN – Armory Fri Sep 06 – Chicago, IL – Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom Tue Sep 10 – Detroit, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre Wed Sep 11 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena Fri Sep 13 – Bridgeport, CT – Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater Sat Sep 14 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion Tue Sep 17 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway Wed Sep 18 – Fairfax, VA – EagleBank Arena Fri Sep 20 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center Sat Sep 21 – Portsmouth, VA – Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion Mon Sep 23 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace Theatre Tue Sep 24 – Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre Wed Sep 25 – New Orleans, LA – The Fillmore New Orleans Fri Sep 27 – Miami, FL – FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park Sat Sep 28 – Tampa, FL – Yuengling Center Tue Oct 01 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater Wed Oct 02 – Charlotte, NC – Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre Tue Oct 08 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall Fri Oct 11 – Dallas, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory Sat Oct 12 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP Tue Oct 15 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium Wed Oct 16 – Salt Lake City, UT – Rockwell at The Complex Fri Oct 18 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena Sat Oct 19 – Portland, OR – Theater of the Clouds Mon Oct 21 – Vancouver, BC – Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre Wed Oct 23 – Wheatland, CA – Hard Rock Live Fri Oct 25 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena Sat Oct 26 – Las Vegas, NV – Michelob ULTRA Arena Tue Oct 29 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre Wed Oct 30 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum Sat Nov 02 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center
Kehlani continues to be one of R&B’s finest on her latest album, Crash, which just dropped in June. Now that fans have had a minute to process the album, it’s onto the next item on the agenda: Today (July 23), Kehlani announced the Crash World Tour.
The run will feature FLO and Anycia and it runs for a couple months. It starts in Minneapolis on September 4 before wrapping up in San Francisco on November 2. During that stretch, Kehlani will also find herself in Chicago, Toronto, Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and more.
Tickets first go on sale with a Citi pre-sale starting on July 23 at 2 p.m. local time. Following that will be the general on-sale on July 26 at 10 a.m. via Kehlani’s website.
Check out the list of tour dates below.
Kehlani 2024 Tour Dates: Crash World Tour
09/04 — Minneapolis, MN @ Armory
09/06 — Chicago, IL @ Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom
09/10 — Detroit, MI @ Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre
09/11 — Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena
09/13 — Bridgeport, CT @ Hartford HealthCare Amphitheater
09/14 — Camden, NJ @ Freedom Mortgage Pavillion
09/17 — Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall at Fenway
09/18 — Fairfax, VA @ EagleBank Arena
09/20 — Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center
09/21 — Portsmouth, VA @ Atlantic Union Bank Pavilion
09/23 — Louisville, KY @ The Louisville Palace Theatre
09/24 — Atlanta, GA @ Lakewood Amphitheatre
09/25 — New Orleans, LA @ The Fillmore New Orleans
09/27 — Miami, FL @ FPL Solar Amphitheater at Bayfront Park
09/28 — Tampa, FL @ Yuengling Center
10/01 — Raleigh, NC @ Red Hat Amphitheater
10/02 — Charlotte, NC @ Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre
10/08 — Houston, TX @ 713 Music Hall
10/11 — Dallas, TX @ The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
10/12 — Rogers, AR @ Walmart AMP
10/15 — Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium
10/16 — Salt Lake City, UT @ Rockwell at The Complex
10/18 — Seattle, WA @ Climate Pledge Arena
10/19 — Portland, OR @ Theater of the Clouds
10/21 — Vancouver, BC @ Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre
10/23 — Wheatland, CA @ Hard Rock Live
10/25 — San Diego, CA @ Viejas Arena
10/26 — Las Vegas, NV @ Michelob ULTRA Arena
10/29 — Phoenix, AZ @ Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
10/30 — Los Angeles, CA @ Kia Forum
11/02 — San Francisco, CA @ Chase Center
On Sunday, July 21, GRAMMY-nominated songstress Kehlani delivered a stunning performance at LIV Las Vegas inside Fontainebleau Las Vegas as part of the Beautiful Girls Love Slow Jams special edition. The event celebrated the upcoming release of her highly anticipated mixtape, While We Wait 2.
Dressed in a chic monochromatic leather two-piece outfit, Kehlani enjoyed Veuve Clicquot and Don Julio 1942 while watching DJ Kiloo’s opening set. Her performance included hits like “Water,” the platinum-selling “Nights Like This,” and she closed with “After Hours” from her 2024 album, Crash.
Before her electrifying show, Kehlani and her close friends dined at Papi Steak in Fontainebleau Miami Beach, capping off a memorable evening with style and flair.
Pride Month is over as of a few days ago, and Kehlani closed it out by declaring that they are, in their words, a “raging lesbian.”
Kehlani has been open about their sexuality previously, but in new videos shared on TikTok, they speak about “de-centering men” in her life and about people questioning whether they’re actually a lesbian.
“OK, so hear me out: I was bisexual my entire life, and then I came out as a lesbian almost four years ago now. But when I realized — recently, actually — all of the f*cking elevation in my life that has come from de-centering men in every f*cking area of it… [chef’s kiss gesture]. In your spiritual spaces, in your practices, in who you’re being educated by, who you’re being taught by, in community… everything. When I prioritized women and also just centered myself and women? When all the bad b*tches decide what planet that they’re going to after we f*ck this one, invite me, because I will thrive.”
Then, in a video responding to comments, Kehlani continued:
“Bringing up the fact that I had a child, or bringing up ex-boyfriends from four years ago or before, bringing up situations from when I was 20? I’m 29. I will be 30 next year. I don’t know why there’s this inability to fathom that I’m a raging lesbian. And yes, my music is gay. Who I perform to and for is the gays. And if you’re stuck in the past, it’s between you and your god. If you’re a man still bringing up my ex-boyfriends, just say you want to f*ck ’em.”
STEVEN DAY (@SkrtOnBia) 
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