| "After Hours" | ||||
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| Single by Kehlani | ||||
| from the album Crash | ||||
| Released | April 4, 2024 (2024-04-04) | |||
| Genre | R&B | |||
| Length | 3:23 | |||
| Label | Atlantic | |||
| Lyricist(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Kehlani singles chronology | ||||
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| 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. The song was produced by Lionel Bermingham and Elijah Wells. On May 24, 2024, a remix of the song using the instrumental of Destiny's Child's 2005 song "Cater 2 U" was released. 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. On March 25, Kehlani posted an official snippet of the track and made the preview sound available on TikTok and YouTube. They officially announced the single and its release date on April 1.
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. The track "sees Kehlani lean into the levity of radio-friendly RnB" and is described as a "frivolous club-inclined track".
Critical reception
Eric Torres of Pitchfork described "After Hours" as "a featherlight, upbeat reinterpretation that doubles as an expert showcase for Kehlani’s vocals". 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".
| Publication | List | Rank | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| NPR | 124 Best Songs of 2024 | — |
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
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (Music Canada) | Gold | 40,000 |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | Gold | 15,000 |
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Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- 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.
- 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.
- "New Song: Kehlani – 'After Hours (Cater 2 U Remix)'". ThatGrapeJuice.net. May 24, 2024. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- "👀 🎲 🥂 ……". TikTok. March 5, 2024. Archived from the original on April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2024.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- ^ 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.
- Torres, Eric (July 1, 2024). "Kehlani: Crash". Pitchfork. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
- Cragg, Michael (June 21, 2024). "Kehlani: Crash review - the perfect sexy summer soundtrack". The Observer. The Guardian. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
- "124 Best Songs of 2024". NPR. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
- "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
- "TurnTable Nigeria Top 100: April 26th, 2024 – May 2nd, 2024". TurnTable. Archived from the original on May 9, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
- "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.
- "Kehlani Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
- "Kehlani Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
- "Kehlani Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
- "Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2024". Billboard. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
- "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2024". Billboard. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
- "Canadian single certifications – Kehlani – After Hours". Music Canada. Retrieved January 22, 2025.
- "New Zealand single certifications – Kehlani – After Hours". Radioscope. Retrieved January 22, 2025. Type After Hours in the "Search:" field.
| Kehlani | |
|---|---|
| Discography | |
| Studio albums |
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| Mixtapes |
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| Singles |
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| Featured singles |
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| Promotional singles | "Get Me" |
| Other songs | "B.S." (Remix) |
| Concert tours | SweetSexySavage World Tour |
| Related articles | PopLyfe |
 Category | |