Popular Oakland singer Kehlani Parrish was a no-show Thursday night as the intended opening act at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco because she came down with pneumonia.
She tweeted to her fans that it was the “saddest week ever,” as her illness prevented her from singing before the headline act, Ms. Lauren Hill, in what she described as what would have been the “biggest concert of my whole life.”
Rappers Vince Staples opened the show instead, which also included Nas and Seun Kuti.
Fans were sad but supportive. "Please feel better," Jessica Plaza tweeted. "I'm praying for you & driving 7 hours to see you slay with @MsLaurynHill and #Nas. It's our dream come true."
Kehlani counts Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, and Jill Scott among her early influences. This week, she tweeted that "Ms. Hill" was her "idol."
This year, the singer, who graduated from Oakland School for the Arts and once flipped burgers at Park Burger in the Glenview district of Oakland, nominated for the Best Urban Contemporary Album Grammy award. In March, she told her fans that she had tried to commit suicide, but thanked heaven her attempt didn't work.
For adoring who love the R&B hip hop artist, they can see her this weekend on a special Bay Area Revelations on Sunday at 10 p.m. or at her next concert at Oakland’s Fox Theater in December, where she’ll be the headliner. Tickets are are on sale here.
