The Party Doesn’t Stop
On their first solo release since last year’s acclaimed blue water road album, Kehlani has dropped the upbeat and undeniably catchy After Hours.
The infectious track sees the R&B star tapping into a seductive party vibe powered by an instantly recognisable sample.
A Nu-Dancehall Throwback
The pulsating rhythms of After Hours are built around the “Coolie Dance Riddim,” made famous by Jamaican producer Cordel Burrell in the early 2000s.
That same riddim provided the foundation for Nina Sky’s 2004 smash “Move Ya Body,” which Kehlani ingeniously samples here.
The combination of Khris Riddick and Alex Goldblatt’s production with these classic dancehall textures results in an irresistible, body-moving beat.
Lyrics of Lust and Liberation
Over the vibrant instrumental, Kehlani’s velvety vocals glide with sensual confidence as they sing about an intense physical connection: “We don’t gotta take it slow; I’ma hit the gas if you’re ready to go.”
The lyrics tastefully explore the thrill of a lustful encounter, but make it clear this is no love song—as Kehlani puts it, “I’m not tryna lock you down.“
In the soaring chorus, their carefree invitation is simple: “Why don’t you stay? / Stay here after hours.” It’s a straightforward indulgence in the rapture of the moment without expectations or baggage.
Lyrics Breakdown
Right from the opening lines, Kehlani sets a seductive, urgently physical tone with lyrics like “I wanna feel the sweat, breathin’ through your clothes” and “the way you touch my neck got me ready to fold” that conjure intense sexual chemistry.
The refrain leans into romantic fantasy with “I wanna make magic,” but quickly ties it back to the carnal with the string of “feel me, grab me, steal me” commands that make Kehlani’s intentions clear, while reinforcing this is purely about physical intimacy with “I’m not tryna lock you down.“
By the second verse’s lyrics, like “We ain’t even know they turned on the lights / We missed the last call ridin’ on a high,” the perspective has shifted to being so consumed with passion that the outside world fades away.
These lyrics deftly move the narrative from the initial meeting to being fully immersed in the throes of desire.
One of the Most Fun Sessions
In an interview with Zane Lowe, Kehlani reflected that making After Hours was “maybe one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had creating music.”
They reminisced about playing the unfinished track in the studio van with their team, with everyone excitedly singing along from the very first listen.
The joyous, celebratory feel is palpable in the finished product. From the giddily nostalgic sample to the singalong-ready hooks to lyrics that embrace hedonistic indulgence, After Hours is a slice of pure dancefloor euphoria.
The Late Night Pivot
While the initial verses find Kehlani and their prospective lover meeting at a party, by the second verse they’ve become so immersed in each other that they didn’t even “know they turned on the lights / We missed the last call ridin’ on a high.”
It’s a sly shift that underscores how this After Hours connection has seamlessly turned into an all-night rendezvous.
After Hours is a radio-ready anthem for moving bodies and letting go of inhibitions, thanks to its sensual grooves, liberating perspective on casual intimacy, and Kehlani’s dynamic performance. It’s a stellar return for one of R&B’s brightest stars.
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Kehlani After Hours Lyrics
Verse 1
We don’t gotta take it slow
I’ma hit the gas if you’re ready to go
I wanna feel the sweat, breathin’ through your clothes
The way you touch my neck got me ready to fold
Refrain
I wanna make magic (Magic)
I want you to feel me (Feel me)
I want you to grab me (Grab me)
I want you to steal me (Steal me)
If you want it, you can have it (Have it)
I want you to free me (Free me)
I’m not tryna lock you down
Pre-Chorus
You came here on your own (Own), own (Own), own (Own)
Caught up in your zone (Zone), zone (Zone), zone (Zone, zone)
In a room full of strangers, different faces (Yeah)
It feels like we’re alone (‘Lone), alone (‘Lone), alone
Chorus
Why don’t you stay?
Stay here after hours
I know you don’t wanna leave
Stay here after hours
After hours, we can—
Verse 2
We ain’t gotta check the time
Even when it ends, it’s still you, and I
We ain’t even know they turned on the lights
We missed the last call ridin’ on a high (Oh, oh, oh, oh)
Refrain
It’s more than a moment (Moment)
This can’t be a memory (Memory)
The party is over (Over)
You wanna come with me (With me)
My home never closes (Closes)
Just want you to feel free (Feel free)
I’m not tryna lock you down
Pre-Chorus
You came here on your own (Own), own (Own), own (Own)
Caught up in your zone (Zone), zone (Zone), zone (Zone, zone)
In a room full of strangers, different faces (Yeah)
It feels like we’re alone (‘Lone), alone (‘Lone), alone
Chorus
Why don’t you stay? (Why don’t you stay?)
Stay here after hours (After hours)
I know you don’t wanna leave (You don’t wanna leave)
Stay here after hours (After hours)
After hours, we can—
Bridge
(Oh, woah-woah, oh, woah-woah)
Oh, tell your friends to go, you can stay for a little while
(Oh, woah-woah, oh, woah-woah)
(Oh, woah-woah, oh, woah-woah)
Mm, mm, if you wanna stay, you can stay for a little while
(Oh, woah-woah, oh, woah-woah)
Chorus
Why don’t you stay? (Why don’t you stay?)
Stay here after hours (Why don’t you stay?)
I know you don’t wanna leave (You don’t wanna leave, oh)
Stay here after hours (After hours)
After hours, we can—
Outro
(Oh, woah-woah, oh, woah-woah)
Tell your friends to go, you can stay for a little while, oh
(Oh, woah-woah, oh, woah-woah)
(Oh, woah-woah, oh, woah-woah)
You ain’t gotta go, you can stay for a little while
(Oh, woah-woah, oh, woah-woah)
