Kehlani’s ‘It Was Good Until It Wasn’t’: Unpacking the YG Breakup and Raw Album Confessions

Few artists pour their personal experiences into their music with the raw honesty and vulnerability that Kehlani brings to her craft. This profound transparency often leads fans to dissect her lyrics, searching for narratives that mirror her public life. Following the highly publicized, yet ultimately short-lived, romance with rapper YG, Kehlani’s album, It Was Good Until It Wasn’t, quickly became a focal point for listeners convinced that the project served as a direct musical diary of their tumultuous relationship and its painful aftermath.

The initial buzz around Kehlani and YG’s pairing was palpable. Their romance, which blossomed in the public eye, seemed to promise a powerful union of two significant voices in contemporary R&B and hip-hop. Their first public appearance together, during New York Fashion Week in September 2019, solidified their status as a budding power couple. Fans were captivated by their chemistry, eagerly following their journey and anticipating what collaborations or creative endeavors might emerge from their partnership.

However, the fairytale was short-lived, marred by allegations of infidelity that swiftly cast a shadow over their relationship. In October 2019, YG found himself embroiled in controversy after he was reportedly seen kissing another woman outside an event – specifically, LA Rams star Todd Gurley’s Halloween party. The incident, captured by onlookers, quickly went viral, fueling rumors of a split. YG, however, was quick to deny the cheating allegations. His team issued a statement asserting, “He was drunk, got carried away, and it was very regretful for putting himself in that situation and hurting Kehlani.” He further attempted to quell the speculation with a direct message to Kehlani via his Instagram stories, unequivocally stating, “I love Kehlani. I would never.” Despite these denials, the incident undoubtedly created a rift and planted seeds of doubt in the relationship.

The timing of their eventual breakup was, to say the least, dramatically poignant. On Valentine’s Day, Kehlani and YG released their collaborative track, “Konclusions,” a song that, at the time of its release, seemed to celebrate their bond and promise. Yet, mere days later, Kehlani dropped a solo track titled “Valentine’s Day (Shameful),” a stark contrast that immediately signaled trouble in paradise. The lyrics of this new song were unsparing and seemed to directly address an unnamed ex-lover, detailing betrayal and heartbreak with stunning clarity.

In “Valentine’s Day (Shameful),” Kehlani sang lines that resonated deeply with the recent public drama: “I’d say your name, but you don’t deserve recognition / You played the hero, but you really are the villain / You called me crazy, but it was my intuition / Used me for status and the fame and recognition.” These pointed accusations painted a picture of a relationship where one party felt exploited and gaslighted, ultimately trusting their gut feelings despite attempts to be convinced otherwise. The narrative unfolded further, alluding to her efforts to support a partner battling addiction, a detail that added another layer of complexity and pain to the story.

The emotional weight of “Valentine’s Day (Shameful)” intensified with lyrics that laid bare Kehlani’s heartbreak and anger: “Wish I didn’t check your text when you was drunk asleep / I’ve seen everything I didn’t want to see / That I needed to see / That I needed it to be / Hope you live happily ever after with the b-itch / Fly to France wine and crackers / Honeymooning with the b-itch / Hope you f-ck around and have the son you wanted with the bitch.” These lines, raw and unfiltered, conveyed a profound sense of betrayal and a wish for her ex to face the consequences of his actions, albeit with a cutting, sarcastic bitterness. She concluded the track with a powerful assertion of her own worth and influence: “You might be so amazed after all of this / So out on the table / Your friends and your family, even your label / Everyone love me, damn it’s so shameful / I kept you stable, you should be grateful.” This verse underscored her belief that she had been a supportive and stabilizing force, whose contributions were ultimately unappreciated and reciprocated with infidelity.

The breakup was seemingly confirmed in February, a timeline that perfectly aligned with the release of these emotionally charged tracks. Adding to the public spectacle, Kehlani briefly posted and then deleted a tweet that encapsulated her resilience: “S**t happens. Life really happens. U Jus gotta stay pure and move with love, and thank god you are one of the ones that do.” This fleeting glimpse into her private thoughts offered fans a moment of solidarity, recognizing her attempt to navigate personal pain with grace.

When Kehlani’s highly anticipated album, It Was Good Until It Wasn’t, arrived, it didn’t take long for fans to draw even more connections to the YG saga. The very title of the album itself seemed to encapsulate the bittersweet nature of a love that started brightly but ended in disillusionment. The opening track, “Toxic,” immediately set the tone with the direct confession, “all of this love is toxic.” This declaration resonated deeply with those who had followed the couple’s narrative, suggesting a realization that the intense passion they shared was ultimately detrimental. It speaks to the insidious nature of unhealthy relationships, where affection and pain become inextricably linked.

Further into the album, track No. 3, “Grieving,” offered another poignant reflection on the aftermath of a painful split. Kehlani sang, “The option was to stay and ride / Or to let it die / I picked a side, now I’m just grievin’.” These lyrics vividly portray the difficult decision-making process inherent in ending a significant relationship, acknowledging the deep sorrow that accompanies choosing self-preservation over enduring further heartache. It speaks to the universal experience of choosing to walk away and then having to process the resulting loss.

Perhaps the most compelling piece of lyrical evidence for fans came with the track “Water.” In this song, Kehlani sings, “Swimming with a Pisces every night / Ain’t really that deep, but he deep inside.” This specific reference sent social media into a frenzy because, as many keen observers were quick to point out, YG is indeed a Pisces. This astrological detail, seemingly innocent on its own, became a smoking gun for many, solidifying their conviction that the album was a direct response to her relationship with the Compton rapper. The line itself suggests an intimate knowledge and connection, while also hinting at a surface-level casualness that belies the deeper emotional entanglement.

The collective reaction from fans on social media was swift and overwhelming. Tweets poured in, with listeners expressing their certainty about the album’s muse. One fan succinctly tweeted, “Kehlani’s new album is 100% about YG lol,” while another enthused, “This kehlani’s best album. She sick of yg’s s–t and I LOVE IT.” The emotional resonance of the album struck a chord, with many feeling that Kehlani had channeled her pain into an exceptional body of work. A third listener shared, “Just finished listening to Kehlani’s new album and….Yg really left an impact on my girl [sad emoji] like she was in love love with that mans…..,” highlighting the depth of emotion conveyed in the songs. Another Twitter user humorously remarked, “YG had Kehlani WIDE OPEN. Water signs will do it to ya,” a nod to the “Water” track and the astrological connection. These reactions underscored the public’s investment in Kehlani’s personal life and their appreciation for her willingness to transform heartache into art.

Kehlani’s artistic journey has long been defined by her commitment to authenticity. She has consistently used her platform to speak on personal struggles, mental health, and the complexities of relationships, fostering a deep connection with her fanbase. It Was Good Until It Wasn’t stands as a testament to this ethos, transforming personal heartbreak into a resonant and relatable narrative for countless listeners. The album transcends mere celebrity gossip; it delves into the universal experience of love, betrayal, and the arduous path to healing. Through tracks like “Toxic,” “Grieving,” and the tell-all “Valentine’s Day (Shameful),” Kehlani navigates the emotional landscape of her breakup with a candor that is both courageous and deeply therapeutic.

Ultimately, while the short-lived romance with YG undoubtedly brought its share of public scrutiny and personal pain, it undeniably fueled a creative outpouring that solidified Kehlani’s reputation as an artist whose vulnerability is her greatest strength. It Was Good Until It Wasn’t is more than just a breakup album; it’s a powerful statement on resilience, self-discovery, and the enduring power of music to articulate the most profound human emotions. Fans, recognizing the honesty embedded in every lyric, embraced the album not just as a glimpse into Kehlani’s life, but as a soundtrack to their own experiences of love and loss, proving that sometimes, the most painful endings can indeed inspire the most beautiful art.