Kehlani attended New York public school PS 33, where she taught R&B music to eight-year-olds and filmed an alternative version of her hit single “Out The Window.” The Grammy-winning artist spent two hours dissecting the fundamentals of the genre before transforming the classroom into a ’90s-style music video set.
The Oakland native explained her teaching philosophy to Julian Shapiro-Barnum before meeting with students. “Because it helps you express strong emotions. It taught me that I can be vulnerable,” Keilani said of why an R&B education is important for kids. “In many cases, it teaches certain people who don’t always have the space to be vulnerable to be vulnerable.”
Kehlani began by introducing PS 33 students to the core components of R&B music. She played her own tracks as examples while encouraging the children to dance and feel the rhythm. The artist emphasizes how R&B connects to personal emotions and storytelling.
“I’m very sensitive to my emotions,” Kehlani told the class when discussing why she writes songs. She asked students to share their big feelings, and one confessed about feeling lonely in first grade and then making a friend named Elizabeth.
The lessons moved into vocal technique as Keilani taught the kids to improvise and run. She demonstrated by saying “All I need is one more chance” and asked each student to come on stage to practice her R&B vocal style. The singer recently paid tribute to the R&B legend with her star-studded mix collection, expressing her deep respect for the genre’s history.
After covering the basics of music, Kehlani turned her focus to styling and performing. Students received 90s-style clothing, including neon colors and metallic accessories to match the retro aesthetic. She then taught them to choreograph “Outside the Window,” breaking down the movements into simple steps that kids could follow.
The classroom transformation culminated in the filming of a music video. Keilani guided the students in conveying the song’s emotional theme of missing someone and wanting them back. Children perform alongside artists, combining their newly learned dance and modeling elements.
“You miss this person. You love this person. You just want to be in this person’s life again. You’re heartbroken,” Keilani told the students on camera. In the final video, the children perform the entire song with professional lighting and photography.
Kehlani shared personal details about her upbringing during the session. “I have three moms and two dads,” she revealed to curious students. “My family is really, really weird. Being from the Bay Area. I grew up going to Pride parades. Like, I thought it was normal.”
The visit was part of the “Celebrity Replacement” series, which pairs celebrities with public school students to provide educational experiences. The show is hosted by Julian Shapiro-Barnum and executive produced by EGOT winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul through their Ampersand production company.
PS 33 received all equipment used during the shoot, including costumes, lights and instruments, to continue their artistic programming. The school does not have its own performing arts department, so this donation will be particularly valuable for future student activities.
Kehlani comes after a breakout year that included two Grammy Awards for “Folded” and her first single to reach the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
