Khalid

Khalid Donnel Robinson was born on February 11, 1998, in Fort Stewart, Georgia. His early life involved frequent relocation due to his parents’ military careers, including living in Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Drum, New York; and six years in Heidelberg, Germany. His mother, Linda Wolfe, was a member of the Army chorus, a factor that influenced his early musical development. Khalid engaged with singing and musical theater during high school. He attended Carthage Central High School in Carthage, New York, before moving to El Paso, Texas, where he completed his senior year at Americas High School. During his time at Americas High School, he was recognized as Prom King and voted Most Likely to Go Platinum, indicating an early recognition of his musical talent.

Khalid initiated his music career by writing and sharing his compositions on SoundCloud during high school. His debut single, “Location,” released shortly after his high school graduation in August 2016, gained traction nationally. This led to features in prominent publications such as Billboard and Rolling Stone. “Location” eventually reached number 20 on the US Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart and entered the Top 10 on the US Hot R&B Songs chart by January 2017. The accompanying music video premiered on The Fader’s website, contributing to his growing public profile. His debut studio album, “American Teen,” released in March 2017, was both critically and commercially successful, receiving quadruple platinum certification from the RIAA. The album also garnered Grammy Award nominations for Best Urban Contemporary Album and Best R&B Song for “Location” at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards. Khalid’s subsequent single, “Young Dumb & Broke,” released in February 2017, became a hit on rhythmic and pop radio.

Following the success of his debut album, Khalid engaged in several notable collaborations. In April 2017, he was featured on Logic’s single “1-800-273-8255” alongside Alessia Cara, which reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100. This collaboration earned him a Grammy Award nomination for Song of the Year. In 2017, he received the MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist. Other significant projects included “Silence” with Marshmello in August 2017, which achieved international chart success and multiple platinum certifications. In September 2018, the Mayor of El Paso, Dee Margo, presented Khalid with the key to the City of El Paso. His duet with Normani, “Love Lies,” released in 2018, reached the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100, as did his collaboration with Benny Blanco and Halsey on “Eastside.” His EP, “Suncity,” released in October 2018, debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200. His second studio album, “Free Spirit” (2019), debuted atop the Billboard 200, with its lead single “Talk” peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and receiving a Grammy Award nomination for Record of the Year. In October 2019, Khalid collaborated with Major Lazer on the single “Trigger,” which was featured on the soundtrack for “Death Stranding.”