Selfless

Released in 2018, Selfless marks a pivotal transition for Kiana Ledé, being her first release under Republic Records. The EP served as her commercial and creative breakthrough, largely propelled by the success of the single 'EX,' which showcased her ability to blend traditional R&B vocal prowess with contemporary rhythmic sensibilities. Sonically, the project is characterized by its heavy use of vocal layering - a technique that has since become Ledé's signature. This recording took place during a period of documented personal struggle, with Ledé later describing the sessions as a way to process clinical depression and the 'emptiness' following toxic romantic cycles. This biographical weight is audible in the hushed, often weary delivery of tracks like 'Shame' and 'Wicked Games.' The EP was certified Platinum by the RIAA in 2020, cementing its status as a foundational text of late-2010s alternative R&B. It features notable collaborations with A$AP Ferg and Blackway, which provide a rhythmic counterpoint to Ledé's melodic introspection.