Kehlani used one of the most visible moments of the 2026 GRAMMY Awards to deliver a pointed political message. After winning Best R&B Performance for her breakout single “Folded,” the singer addressed the audience with an acceptance speech that quickly cut through the ceremony’s usual formal tone. “I hope that everybody is inspired to join together as a community of artists, and speak out against what’s going on,” she said, before adding, “F*ck ICE.”
The comment followed an already candid exchange on the red carpet earlier in the evening. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Kehlani explained that she had considered making a stronger statement during pre-show interviews. “I really wanted to say f*ck ICE,” she said. “But I think they needed some couth on the carpet or something. We’re too powerful of a group to all be in the room at the same time and not make some kind of statement.”
The moment capped a historic night for the Oakland-born artist, who won her first two GRAMMY Awards. In addition to Best R&B Performance, “Folded” also earned Best R&B Song. Released in June 2025 and produced by Andre Harris, D.K. The Punisher, Don Mills, and Khris Riddick-Tynes, the song became Kehlani’s first top 10 entry on the Billboard Hot 100 and her most commercially successful solo single to date.
Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
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