kwn: The UK’s R&B princess taking the world by storm
Photo by Michelle Helena Janssen
East London native kwn has always been bubbling on the threshold of stardom, releasing smooth, futuristic R&B since the early 2020s. However, recently, she’s gained online stardom through her collaboration with American artist Kehlani in the steamy music video for her song “worst behaviour.” Her debut album, with all due respect, is what truly solidified her as a top contender in the future of British R&B, the majority of her songs self-produced and written herself.
Born Khy Wilson in Walthamstow, London, kwn has always been surrounded by a diverse array of musical genres. Through her Nigerian father, who was formerly a DJ, she was exposed to R&B, African music, UK Garage, and Hip-Hop. She also attended the East London Arts and Music College, broadening her artistic skills and honing her unique sound. This is featured in her earlier releases: smooth fusions between trap and R&B, giving listeners a gateway into new sounds and experiences. Her frequent use of autotune works as a benefit more than a hindrance; it enhances her vocal ability and accentuates her smooth, suave persona.
The greatest example of this is her single, ‘worst behaviour,’ which propelled her to newfound internet fame. Over a stripped-down R&B beat that lets the vocals take centre stage, she croons in a falsetto about her sexual fantasies with the woman she’s seeing. The choir-like background vocals, which have since become her trademark, add an unforeseen level of ethereal sensuality—almost as if the lyrics were sacred, her sensual cravings put upon an altar. This, paired with the music video in which she passionately kisses her co-star Kehlani, made this song an unmistakable hit, both in the States and in the UK. The suggestive nature of the video and kwn’s laid-back, inviting tone made people tap into her fresh sound, which was missing in the R&B scene. However, she didn't stop there. Her next single, ‘do what i say,’ provided the same sexual, teasing lyrics, but laid over a more upbeat, confident beat. Her swagger remains the same, but her musical versatility shocks and surprises every time and proves her to be a true student of her craft.
Even though 2024 and 2025 were her breakthrough era, her album release exceeded all expectations by a mile. A nine-song effort, it is practically flawless from beginning to end. Barring a couple of features, this album showcases not only the creative talent kwn possesses, but is also a culmination of her eclectic taste masterfully assembled into a singular project. From the tense buildup created by the piano-led intro of ‘bite me,’ where she boldly proclaims “I don’t want to be humble no more,” to the slow jam-like rhythm of the song ‘all the girls’ where she confesses to falling in love every day of the week, there is not a single song that doesn’t impress and surprise. A fusion of jazz, soul, R&B, and electronic production, kwn’s album only makes her fans hungry for more. She has certainly earned her right to affirm her seat at the table of futuristic R&B and is, by all means, worthy of respect.