Khalid Donnel Robinson, known professionally as Khalid, is an American singer and songwriter born on February 11, 1998, in Fort Stewart, Georgia. Due to his mother's military career, he moved frequently during his childhood, living in places like Kentucky, New York, and Germany, before settling in El Paso, Texas, for his high school years. His mother, Linda Wolfe, was a singer in the U.S. Army band, and her passion for music greatly influenced him. In high school, Khalid studied singing and musical theater and began creating and posting his music on SoundCloud.
Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
Khalid's career began to take off in 2016 with the release of his debut single, "Location." The song, released before his high school graduation, gained significant traction and charted on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 16. This early success led to a record deal with Right Hand Music Group and RCA Records. On March 3, 2017, he released his debut studio album, "American Teen." The album was a critical and commercial success, debuting at number four on the Billboard 200 chart. It featured the hit singles "Location" and "Young Dumb & Broke." "American Teen" earned a Grammy nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album, and "Location" was nominated for Best R&B Song.
Rise to Stardom
Following the success of his debut album, Khalid collaborated with several artists. He was featured on Logic's hit single "1-800-273-8255" alongside Alessia Cara, which peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2018, he released the successful singles "Love Lies" with Normani and "Eastside" with Benny Blanco and Halsey. Later that year, he released his first EP, "Suncity," which included the top-ten hit "Better." His second studio album, "Free Spirit," was released on April 5, 2019, and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. The album's lead single, "Talk," became his highest-charting single to date, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning a Grammy nomination for Record of the Year.
Musical Style and Accolades
Khalid's music is known for its blend of R&B, pop, and soul. His lyrics often explore themes of youth, love, and self-discovery. He has received numerous awards and nominations, including six Billboard Music Awards, three American Music Awards, and an MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist in 2017. He has been nominated for seven Grammy Awards. In 2019, Time magazine named him one of the 100 Most Influential People.
Recent Work
Khalid released his first mixtape, "Scenic Drive," on December 3, 2021. His third studio album, "Sincere," was released on August 2, 2024, preceded by the single "Please Don't Fall in Love with Me."