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Khalid (singer)

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Not to be confused with Khaled (musician) or DJ Khaled.

Khalid
Khalid in October 2017
Khalid in October 2017
Background information
Birth nameKhalid Donnel Robinson
Born (1998-02-11) February 11, 1998 (age 26)
Fort Stewart, Georgia, U.S.
OriginEl Paso, Texas, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active2016–present
Labels
Websitekhalidofficial.com

Khalid Donnel Robinson (born February 11, 1998)[1] is an American singer-songwriter signed to Right Hand Music Group and RCA Records. He rose to fame after the release of his debut studio album, American Teen (2017). The album spawned the US top-20 singles "Location" and "Young Dumb & Broke", and was later certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Later that year he was featured on Logic's US top-ten single, "1-800-273-8255", with Alessia Cara, which earned him a Grammy Award for Song of the Year nomination. The following year Khalid released the number-one pop songs, "Love Lies" with Normani and "Eastside" with Benny Blanco and Halsey, both of which tied the record for longest charting songs on the Mainstream Top 40 chart and reached the top-10 on the Billboard Hot 100. In September 2018, Khalid released the number-one Rhythmic song, "Better", as the lead single from his top-10 EP, Suncity. In April 2019, he released his second studio album, Free Spirit, which debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart. The lead single "Talk", peaked at No. 3 in the US, and earned him a Grammy Award for Record of the Year nomination. In 2021, Khalid collaborated with Canadian singer Tate McRae for "Working". It was released on June 17, 2021.

Khalid has received multiple accolades including six Grammy Award nominations, six Billboard Music Awards, three American Music Awards and a MTV Video Music Award. In 2019, Khalid was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People.[2]

Early life

Robinson was born in Fort Stewart, Georgia.[3] He spent his childhood in various locations due to his mother, Linda Wolfe, and father's military careers, including Fort Campbell in Kentucky, Fort Drum in Watertown, New York, and six years in Heidelberg, Germany.[4] Wolfe worked as a supply technician and became a member of the Army corps. In high school, Robinson studied singing and musical theater. He attended Carthage Central High School in Carthage, New York for his first three years of high school before he and his mother moved to El Paso, Texas, where he attended Americas High School for his senior year.[5]

Career

2016–2017: American Teen

Khalid began writing and creating music in high school; he posted his early works to SoundCloud. Shortly after graduating from Americas High School, Khalid reached number two on the Billboard Twitter Emerging Artists chart in July 2016. His single "Location" began charting, which led to his being featured in many publications, including Billboard,[6] Yahoo!,[7] BuzzFeed,[8] and Rolling Stone.[9] With production from Syk Sense, Tunji Ige, and Smash David, "Location" finished the year 2016 at number 20 on the US Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart[6] and reached the Top 10 on the US Hot R&B Songs chart on January 21, 2017.[10] The music video for "Location" premiered on The Fader's website.[11] The album's second single "Young, Dumb & Broke" became a sleeper hit, becoming a hit at rhythmic formats and crossing over to pop radio into early 2018.

In January 2017, Alina Baraz's single "Electric", featuring Khalid, was released.[12] His collaboration with Brasstracks, called "Whirlwind", was part of the Yours Truly & Adidas Originals Songs from Scratch series, and received over 700,000 SoundCloud plays.[13] Khalid contributed uncredited vocals to Kendrick Lamar's song "The Heart Part 4", released on March 24, 2017.[14][15] On April 28, 2017, Logic released the single "1-800-273-8255", which featured Khalid and Alessia Cara; the single peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Khalid's highest-charting single.[16]

He sold out every venue on his 21-city January–February 2017 Location Tour, including the 1,500-capacity Tricky Falls in El Paso.[17] Following the completion of the tour, his debut studio album American Teen was released on March 3, 2017.[18] The album received critical acclaim and Grammy Award nominations for Best Urban Contemporary Album and Best R&B Song (for "Location"), at the 2018 ceremony.[19] On October 24, 2017, the album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 1,000,000 in combined pure sales and album-equivalent units.[20]

In 2017, Khalid won a VMA Award for Best New Artist.[21] Khalid made his television debut performing "Location" on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon March 15, 2017, backed by The Roots.[22] His song "Angels" was featured on the ABC drama series Grey's Anatomy in the episode entitled "Don't Stop Me Now", which aired April 27, 2017.[23] September 2018, El Paso Mayor Dee Margo Friday presented Khalid with the key to the City of El Paso.[24]

Khalid's next single was a collaboration with American DJ Marshmello titled "Silence", which was released on August 11, 2017 via RCA Records.[25] The song appeared on the Top 200 in over 28 countries. It topped the Dance charts in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and charted in the Top 10 of more than fifteen countries such as Germany, Sweden and Norway. It also appeared on the year-end charts of Hungary, Denmark, Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Additionally, it was certified multi-platinum in many countries. Among them were platinum by BPI (United Kingdom) and BM (Germany), double platinum by BEA (Belgium), RMNZ (New Zealand) and RIAA (United States), triple platinum by MC (Canada), a quadruple platinum by SRIA (Sweden) and a quintuple platinum by ARIA (Australia).

2018–2019: Suncity and Free Spirit

Khalid's song "The Ways" with rapper Swae Lee was featured in the Marvel film Black Panther. As of February 23, 2018, the song peaked at number 63 on the Billboard Hot 100.[26] In 2017, he collaborated with Lorde, SZA, and Post Malone on Lorde's "Homemade Dynamite" remix. He released a duet with singer Normani, called "Love Lies", recorded for the Love, Simon film soundtrack, which reached the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 in 2018.[27] "Love Lies" was each artist's first number one on the US Pop Songs chart, and finished in the top 20 of the 2018 Billboard Hot 100 Year-End chart.

In May 2018, he wrote "Youth" in collaboration with Canadian artist Shawn Mendes. The song was featured on Mendes' self titled album and contains references to the social and political climate at that time. Mendes and Khalid performed "Youth" at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards on May 20, 2018, as a tribute to the victims of gun violence. The performance featured the show choir from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.[28]

Khalid wrote and provided vocals for DJ/producer Martin Garrix's song "Ocean", released through Stmpd Rcrds on June 15, 2018. It peaked at number 78 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 5 on the Dance/Electronic Songs chart, and finished at number 16 on its 2018 year end chart, then number 81 the next year.

He collaborated with Billie Eilish on the song "Lovely", which was sampled multiple times on Goodbye & Good Riddance, the debut album of rapper Juice Wrld. In July 2018, he was featured alongside Halsey on Benny Blanco's debut single "Eastside".[29] The song charted in the Billboard Hot 100's top ten and reached number one on the US Pop Songs chart, after a record 30-week climb. He also released a song called "Better" on September 14, the first day of two hometown shows.[30] The song topped the Rhythmic Songs airplay ranking and charted in the top five at pop radio.

In October 2018, Khalid released an EP, Suncity, on October 19, 2018 through RCA Records.[31][32] The EP debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200.[33] The album also spawned the song "Saturday Nights", later remixed to feature country artist Kane Brown.

In February 2019, Khalid released the single "Talk", and he made his debut on Saturday Night Live on March 9, 2019, performing "Talk" and "Better".[34] His second studio album Free Spirit was released on April 5, 2019, along with an accompanying short film. It debuted atop the US Billboard 200 with 202,000 album-equivalent units (including 85,000 pure album sales) in its first week, becoming Khalid's first US number-one album.[35]

On April 20, 2019, Khalid made history by becoming the first and only artist to occupy the entire top 5 of the Billboard R&B Songs chart.[36][37]

On April 25, 2019, Billboard magazine reported that since March 2018, Khalid had landed a 59-week straight streak of hits (and counting) on the Hot 100 since his Normani collaboration "Love Lies" debuted on the chart. He charted 12 tracks (both solo hits and features) on the Hot 100 throughout the last year.[38]

In order to promote the album, Khalid embarked on his fourth concert tour titled the "Free Spirit World Tour" which will visit North America, Europe and Oceania on May 18, 2019, which is set to conclude on December 5, 2019.[39][40][41]

Following the release of Free Spirit, Khalid was reported to have become the biggest global artist on Spotify, hitting 50.4 million monthly listeners on the streaming platform, and subsequently surpassing Ariana Grande.[42][43] In October 2019, Khalid and Major Lazer released a single titled "Trigger" which was also featured on Death Stranding's soundtrack.

2020–present: Everything Is Changing

On July 11, 2021, Khalid premiered his single "New Normal" during Richard Bransons Virgin Galactic Unity 22 spaceflight at Spaceport America, New Mexico.[44][45] His third studio album Everything Is Changing will be released in the fall of 2021.[46]

Musical style and influences

Khalid's music is primarily R&B,[47][48] hip hop,[49] pop[47] and pop-soul.[50] He sings in both the baritone and tenor ranges, effectively rendering him a baritenor. Khalid possesses a two octave vocal range, ranging from the low G2 to the middle B♭4.[51] Khalid cites his mother as his leading musical inspiration[5] and has cited Kendrick Lamar, A$AP Rocky, Father John Misty, Frank Ocean, Grizzly Bear, Chance the Rapper, Lorde, India.Arie, and James Blake as other influences.[52][53]

Discography

Main article: Khalid discography

Tours

Headlining

Supporting

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result
2017 Woodie Awards Woodie To Watch Himself Won
BET Awards[54] Best New Artist Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice R&B/Hip-Hop Song "Location" Nominated
MTV Video Music Awards[55] Best New Artist Himself Won
MTV Europe Music Awards Best New Artist Nominated
Best Push Artist
American Music Awards Favorite Soul/R&B Song "Location" Nominated
Soul Train Music Awards[56] Best New Artist Himself Nominated
Best R&B Soul Male Artist
Song of the Year "Location"
The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award
2018 Grammy Awards[19] Best New Artist Himself Nominated
Best Urban Contemporary Album American Teen
Best R&B Song "Location"
Song of the Year
Best Music Video
GAFFA Awards (Denmark)[57] Best Foreign New Act Himself Won
iHeartRadio Music Awards[58] R&B Song of the Year "Location" Nominated
R&B Artist of the Year Himself
Best New R&B Artist Won
Best New Artist Nominated
Best Cover Song "Lost" by Frank Ocean
Best Remix
R&B Album of the Year American Teen Won
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Breakout Artist Himself Nominated
Billboard Music Awards Top New Artist Won
Top R&B Artist Nominated
Top R&B Male Artist Nominated
Top R&B Song "Young, Dumb & Broke" Nominated
Top R&B Album American Teen Nominated
BMI Pop Awards[59] Award Winning Songs "1-800-273-8255" Won
BET Awards[60] Best Male R&B/Pop Artist Himself Nominated
Teen Choice Awards Choice Artist: R&B/Hip-Hop Himself Won
MTV Video Music Awards Push Artist of the Year Himself Nominated
Video with a Message "1-800-273-8255" Nominated
2019 BET Awards Best Male R&B/Pop Artist Himself Nominated
Billboard Music Awards 2019 Top R&B Artist Himself Nominated
Top R&B Male Artist Nominated
Top R&B Album American Teen Nominated
Top R&B Song "Better" Nominated
Top Collaboration
Nominated
Top Radio Song Nominated
MTV Video Music Awards Best Pop "Talk" Nominated
Song of Summer Nominated
Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards Abu Dhabi[61] Favorite International Star Himself Nominated
American Music Awards Favorite Male Artist-Pop/Rock Himself Won
Favorite Album-Soul/R&B Free Spirit Won
Favorite Song-Soul/R&B "Talk" Won
2020 Grammy Awards Record of the Year "Talk" Nominated
BET Awards Best Male R&B/Pop Artist Himself Nominated
MTV Video Music Awards[62] Best Collaboration "Beautiful People"
(with Ed Sheeran) 		Nominated
Best R&B "Eleven"
(featuring Summer Walker) 		Nominated
iHeartRadio Music Awards Male Artist of the Year Himself Nominated
R&B Artist of the Year Nominated
Best Collaboration "Eastside"
(featuring Benny Blanco e Halsey) 		Nominated
Best Lyric "Beautiful People"
(with Ed Sheeran) 		Nominated
R&B Song of the Year Talk Nominated
R&B Album of the Year Free Spirit Won
NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Male Artist Himself Nominated
Outstanding Song, Contemporary "Talk" Nominated
Outstanding Music Video Nominated
Billboard Music Awards Top Artist Himself Nominated
Top Male Artist Nominated
Top Billboard 200 Artist Nominated
Top Hot 100 Artist Nominated
Top Radio Songs Artist Nominated
Top R&B Tour Artist Won
Top R&B Artist Won
Top R&B Male Artist Won
Top Radio Song "Talk" Nominated
Top R&B Song Won
Top Billboard 200 Album Free Spirit Nominated
Top R&B Album Won
2021 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary) "So Done"
(with Alicia Keys) 		Pending

References

  1. ^ Ju, Shirley (February 12, 2019). "Khalid Celebrates 21st Birthday With Bash at Beverly Hills Mansion". Variety. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  2. ^ "Khalid: The 100 Most Influential People of 2019". TIME. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
  3. ^ Shifferaw, Abel. "Kel Mitchell, Rachael Leigh Cook Star in Khalid's High School-Themed Video for "Young Dumb & Broke"". Complex. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  4. ^ Acosta, Dave. "Khalid finds his 'Location' in El Paso". El Paso Times. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
  5. ^ a b Scott Perry, "Saved" documentary, The Fader, February 2, 2017, retrieved February 7, 2017
  6. ^ a b Elias Leight, "10 Hip-Hop and R&B Artists to Watch In 2017", Billboard, December 27, 2016, retrieved February 7, 2017
  7. ^ Jim Farber, "10 Artists to Watch in 2017", Yahoo! Music, December 28, 2016, retrieved February 7, 2017
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  11. ^ Myles Tanzer, "Khalid Finds A Digital Love In 'Location' Video", The Fader, September 26, 2016, retrieved February 7, 2017
  12. ^ "Alina Baraz and Khalid Link Up on Seductive New Track, 'Electric'". Ones to Watch. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  13. ^ Black, Adrienne. "Listen to Khalid and Brasstracks Team Up for "Whirlwind"". PigeonsandPlanes. Retrieved October 10, 2017.
  14. ^ "Kendrick Lamar's "The Heart Part 4" Features An Uncredited Vocal From Khalid". The Fader. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
  15. ^ "Khalid Is Featured on Kendrick Lamar's New "The Heart Part 4"". XXL. Retrieved March 24, 2017.
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  19. ^ a b "See The Full List Of 60th Grammy Nominees". Grammy Award. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
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  29. ^ Blistein, Jon (July 12, 2018). "Hear Benny Blanco, Halsey, Khalid Team for Bittersweet 'Eastside'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  30. ^ @thegreatkhalid (September 11, 2018). "With love, to the 915. On 9/14 a song for y'all" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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  33. ^ Caulfield, Keith (October 28, 2018). "'A Star Is Born' Soundtrack Earns Third Week at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart, Future & Juice WRLD Debut at No. 2". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  34. ^ Williams, Aaron (March 10, 2019). "Khalid's Powerful Falsetto On 'Talk' Shines In His Debut 'SNL' Performance". UpRoxx. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  35. ^ "Khalid's 'Free Spirit' Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Albums Chart". Billboard. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  36. ^ "Khalid Is The First Artist To Simultaneously Have The Top 5 R&B Songs". UPROXX. April 16, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  37. ^ "Khalid Becomes First Artist In History To Secure Top 5 Spots On R&B Songs Chart". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
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  39. ^ Kreps, Daniel (April 1, 2019). "Khalid Sets U.S. Arena Leg of Free Spirit World Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
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  41. ^ Weber, Brooke. "Khalid announces Dublin and Belfast dates on European tour". Hotpress. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  42. ^ "Khalid just became the biggest artist in the world on Spotify, with over 50m monthly listeners". Music Business Worldwide. April 28, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
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  44. ^ WATCH LIVE: Virgin Galactic Unity 22 Spaceflight Livestream, retrieved July 11, 2021
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  46. ^ Spanos, Brittany (July 21, 2021). "Khalid Embraces 'New Normal', Announces Third Album 'Everything Is Changing'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 21, 2021.
  47. ^ a b Kellman, Andy. "Khalid Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  48. ^ Abramson, Alana; Hoffman, Ashley (April 23, 2019). "Khalid Says People Used to Chant 'Khalid Can't Sing' at Him in High School". Time. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  49. ^ "Is a New Khalid Album Coming Soon?". Billboard. February 4, 2020. Retrieved July 19, 2020.
  50. ^ Coscarelli, Joe (November 28, 2017). "Khalid, the Teenager With 5 Grammy Nominations: 'They Got It Right This Year'". The New York Times. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  51. ^ "Khalid | The Range Place". therangeplace.boards.net. Retrieved October 23, 2018.
  52. ^ Kevito, "First Look Friday: Chucotown's Own Khalid Is The Future of Millennial R&B", Okayplayer, December 2016, retrieved February 7, 2017
  53. ^ Eddie Cepeda, "IRL Paso: Texas Singer Khalid Is Making Music to Connect To", Noisey, January 17, 2017, retrieved February 7, 2017
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  55. ^ "VMAs: Kendrick Lamar Tops Nominations as MTV Continues to Eliminate Gendered Categories". The Hollywood Reporter. July 25, 2017. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
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  57. ^ "GAFFA Prize - And the winners are ..." GAFFA (in Danish). Denmark. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
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