Khalid | |
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.jpg) Khalid performing in 2025 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Khalid Donnel Robinson (1998-02-11)February 11, 1998 (age 27) Fort Stewart, Georgia, U.S. |
| Origin | El Paso, Texas, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Works | Khalid discography |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Labels |
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| Website | khalidofficial |
| Signature | |
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Khalid Donnel Robinson (/kəˈliːd/kə-LEED; born February 11, 1998), knownmononymously asKhalid, is an American singer and songwriter fromEl Paso, Texas. He signed withCourtney Stewart's Right Hand Music Group, an imprint ofRCA Records to release his 2016 debut single, "Location" and its 2017 follow-up, "Young Dumb & Broke". Both songs peaked within the top 20 of theBillboard Hot 100, receiveddiamond certifications by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and preceded the release of his debut studio album,American Teen (2017). A critical and commercial success, it receivedquadruple platinum certification by the RIAA and was nominated forBest Urban Contemporary Album at the60th Annual Grammy Awards.
In April 2017, he guest performed alongsideAlessia Cara onLogic's hit single "1-800-273-8255", which earned him a Grammy Award nomination forSong of the Year. Robinson's 2018 singles, "Love Lies" (withNormani) and "Eastside" (withBenny Blanco andHalsey), both achieved the record for longest-charting songs within theMainstream Top 40 chart, and peaked within theBillboard Hot 100's top ten. Later that year, he released his third top-ten single, "Better", which preceded his debut extended play (EP)Suncity. His second studio album,Free Spirit (2019), debuted atop theBillboard 200; its lead single, "Talk", peaked at number three on theBillboard Hot 100—becoming his highest-charting song thus far—and earned him a Grammy Award nomination forRecord of the Year.
Robinson has received numerous accolades, including six Grammy Award nominations, sixBillboard Music Awards, threeAmerican Music Awards and aMTV Video Music Award. In 2019, Robinson was named one ofTime magazine's100 Most Influential People.[1]
Robinson was born on February 11, 1998,[2] inFort Stewart, Georgia.[3] He moved frequently during his childhood due to his parents' military careers. The family lived inFort Campbell inKentucky,Fort Drum inWatertown, New York, and spent six years inHeidelberg, Germany.[4] His mother, Linda Wolfe, worked as a supply technician and became a member of theArmy chorus. In high school, Robinson studied singing and musical theater. He attendedCarthage Central High School inCarthage, New York for his first three years of high school before he and his mother moved toEl Paso, Texas, where he attendedAmericas High School for his senior year;[5] there, he was elected Prom King and voted Most Likely to Go Platinum.[6]
Khalid began writing and creating music in high school; he posted his early works toSoundCloud.[6][7] Shortly after graduating from Americas High School, Khalid reached number two on theBillboard Twitter Emerging Artists chart in July 2016. His single "Location" began charting, which led to his being featured in many publications, includingBillboard,[8]Yahoo!,[9]BuzzFeed,[10] andRolling Stone.[11] 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[8] and reached the Top 10 on theUS Hot R&B Songs chart on January 21, 2017.[12] The music video for "Location" premiered onThe Fader's website.[13] 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.[14] His collaboration withBrasstracks, called "Whirlwind", was part of the Yours Truly &Adidas Originals Songs from Scratch series, and received over 700,000 SoundCloud plays.[15] Khalid contributed uncredited vocals to Kendrick Lamar's song "The Heart Part 4", released on March 24, 2017.[16][17] 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 theBillboard Hot 100, making it Khalid's highest-charting single.[18]
He sold out every venue on his 21-city January–February 2017 Location Tour, including the 1,500-capacity Tricky Falls in El Paso.[19] Following the completion of the tour, his debut studio albumAmerican Teen was released on March 3, 2017.[20] The album received critical acclaim andGrammy Award nominations forBest Urban Contemporary Album andBest R&B Song (for "Location"), at the2018 ceremony.[21] On October 24, 2017, the album was certified platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over 1,000,000 in combined pure sales andalbum-equivalent units.[22]
In 2017, Khalid won aVMA Award forBest New Artist.[23] Khalid made his television debut performing "Location" onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on March 15, 2017, backed bythe Roots.[24] His song "Angels" was featured on the ABC drama seriesGrey's Anatomy in the episode entitled "Don't Stop Me Now", which aired April 27, 2017.[25][26] In September 2018, El Paso Mayor Dee Margo Friday presented Khalid with the key to the City of El Paso.[27]
Khalid's next single was a collaboration with American DJMarshmello titled "Silence", which was released on August 11, 2017, viaRCA Records.[28] 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 5× Platinum by theRIAA and platinum or multiplatinum in many countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, New Zealand, Canada, Sweden, Australia, and others.
Khalid's song "The Ways" with rapperSwae Lee was featured in the Marvel filmBlack Panther. As of February 23, 2018, the song peaked at number 63 on theBillboard Hot 100.[29] In 2017, he collaborated withLorde,SZA, andPost Malone on Lorde's "Homemade Dynamite" remix. He released aduet with singerNormani, called "Love Lies", recorded for theLove, Simon film soundtrack, which reached the top ten of theBillboard Hot 100 in 2018.[30] "Love Lies" was each artist's first number one on the US Pop Songs chart, and finished in the top 20 of the 2018Billboard Hot 100 Year-End chart.
In May 2018, he wrote "Youth" in collaboration with Canadian artistShawn 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 the2018Billboard Music Awards on May 20, 2018, as a tribute to the victims of gun violence. The performance featured the show choir fromMarjory Stoneman Douglas High School.[31]
Khalid wrote and provided vocals for DJ/producerMartin Garrix's song "Ocean", released throughStmpd Rcrds on June 15, 2018. It peaked at number 78 on theBillboard Hot 100, number 5 on theDance/Electronic Songs chart, and finished at number 16 on its 2018-year end chart, then number 81 the next year.
He collaborated withBillie Eilish on the song "Lovely". It was played on the popular Netflix series13 Reasons Why in Season 2 Episode 13. In July 2018, he was featured alongsideHalsey onBenny Blanco's debut single "Eastside".[32] The song charted in theBillboard 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.[33] 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, throughRCA Records.[34][35] The EP debuted at number 8 on theBillboard 200.[36] The album also spawned the song "Saturday Nights", later remixed to feature country artistKane Brown.
In February 2019, Khalid released the single "Talk", and he made his debut onSaturday Night Live on March 9, 2019, performing "Talk" and "Better".[37] His second studio albumFree Spirit was released on April 5, 2019, along with an accompanying short film. It debuted atop the USBillboard 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.[38]
On April 20, 2019, Khalid made history by becoming the first and only artist to occupy the entire top 5 of theBillboard R&B Songs chart.[39][40]
On April 25, 2019,Billboard magazine reported that since March 2018, Khalid had landed a 59-week straight streak of hits (and counting) on theHot 100 since hisNormani collaboration"Love Lies" debuted on the chart. He charted 12 tracks (both solo hits and features) on the Hot 100 throughout the last year.[41]
To promote the album, Khalid embarked on his fourth concert tour titled theFree Spirit World Tour on June 20, 2019. The tour visited North America, Europe, and Oceania and concluded on December 5, 2019. An Asian 9-show leg of the tour was announced on December 2, 2019, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[42][43][44][45]
Following the release ofFree Spirit, Khalid was reported to have become thebiggest global artist on Spotify, hitting 50.4 million monthly listeners on the streaming platform, and subsequently surpassingAriana Grande.[46][47]In October 2019, Khalid and Major Lazer released a single titled "Trigger" which was also featured onDeath Stranding's soundtrack.
Khalid co-wroteZayn's song "Outside" from his album "Nobody Is Listening" which released on January 15, 2021.[48]
On July 11, 2021, Khalid premiered his single "New Normal" duringRichard Branson'sVirgin Galactic Unity 22 spaceflight atSpaceport America,New Mexico.[49][50] He released his first mixtapeScenic Drive on December 3, 2021.[51] On November 20, 2021, Khalid previewed a new song titled "Backseat", which serves as the third track on the mixtape.[52][non-primary source needed][51] In 2023, he collaborated with singerDove Cameron on the track "We Go Down Together".[53] His song "Silver Platter" was featured on thesoundtrack album for the filmBarbie later that year.[54]
On April 5, 2024, he released the single "Please Don't Fall in Love with Me". It was the first single on his third studio album,Sincere, which was released on August 2, 2024.[55]
On August 15, 2025, Khalid released the single "In Plain Sight."[56] It was the first single on his fourth studio album,After the Sun Goes Down, which was released on October 10, 2025.[57]
On November 22, 2024, Khalidcame out asgay on the social media platformX after he wasouted.[58] He revealed his sexuality in the comments section of one of his X posts by replying to a fan.[59]
Khalid's music has been described asR&B,[60][61]pop,[60]hip-hop,[62]pop-soul,[63] andbedroom pop.[64] He sings in both thebaritone andtenor ranges, effectively rendering him abaritenor. Khalid possesses a two and a half octave vocal range, ranging from the low F2 to the middle B♭4.[65] Khalid cites his mother as his leading musical inspiration[5] and has citedZayn Malik,Kendrick Lamar,A$AP Rocky,Father John Misty,Frank Ocean,Grizzly Bear,Chance the Rapper,Lorde,India Arie, andJames Blake as other influences.[66][67]
Headlining
Supporting
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Woodie Awards | Woodie To Watch | Himself | Won |
| BET Awards[68] | Best New Artist | Nominated | ||
| Teen Choice Awards | Choice R&B/Hip-Hop Song | "Location" | Nominated | |
| MTV Video Music Awards[69] | Best New Artist | Himself | Won | |
| MTV Europe Music Awards | Best New Artist | Nominated | ||
| Best Push Artist | ||||
| American Music Awards | Favorite Song – Soul/R&B | "Location" | Nominated | |
| Soul Train Music Awards[70] | 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[21] | 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)[71] | Best Foreign New Act | Himself | Won | |
| iHeartRadio Music Awards[72] | 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" byFrank 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[73] | Award Winning Songs | "1-800-273-8255" | Won | |
| BET Awards[74] | Best Male R&B/Pop Artist | Himself | Nominated | |
| Teen Choice Awards | Choice Artist: R&B/Hip-Hop | Won | ||
| MTV Video Music Awards | Push Artist of the Year | Nominated | ||
| Video with a Message | "1-800-273-8255" | Nominated | ||
| iHeartRadio Titanium Awards | 1 Billion Total Audience Spins on iHeartRadio Stations | "Love Lies"(withNormani) | Won | |
| Soul Train Music Awards | Best R&B/Soul Male Artist | Himself | Nominated | |
| Best Collaboration Performance | "OTW"(withTy Dolla Sign and 6lack) | Nominated | ||
| 2019 | BET Awards | Best Male R&B/Pop Artist | Himself | Nominated |
| Billboard Music Awards | Top R&B Artist | 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[75] | Favorite International Star | Himself | Nominated | |
| American Music Awards | Favorite Male Artist – Pop/Rock | Won | ||
| Favorite Male Artist – Soul/R&B | Nominated | |||
| Favorite Album – Soul/R&B | Free Spirit | Won | ||
| Favorite Song – Soul/R&B | "Talk" | Won | ||
| iHeartRadio Titanium Awards | 1 Billion Total Audience Spins on iHeartRadio Stations | "Eastside" (Halsey & Benny Blanco) | Won | |
| Soul Train Music Awards[76] | Best R&B/Soul Male Artist | Himself | Won | |
| Song of the Year | "Talk" | Nominated | ||
| The Ashford & Simpson Songwriter's Award | Nominated | |||
| Video of the Year | Better | Nominated | ||
| Album/Mixtape of the Year | Free Spirit | Nominated | ||
| 2020 | Grammy Awards | Record of the Year | "Talk" | Nominated |
| BET Awards | Best Male R&B/Pop Artist | Himself | Nominated | |
| MTV Video Music Awards[77] | Best Collaboration | "Beautiful People" (withEd Sheeran) | Nominated | |
| Best R&B | "Eleven" (featuringSummer Walker) | Nominated | ||
| iHeartRadio Music Awards | Male Artist of the Year | Himself | Nominated | |
| R&B Artist of the Year | Nominated | |||
| Best Collaboration | "Eastside" (featuringBenny Blanco andHalsey) | 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 | |||
| iHeartRadio Titanium Awards | 1 Billion Total Audience Spins on iHeartRadio Stations | "Talk" | Won[78] | |
| "Better" | Won[78] | |||
| Juno Awards | International Album of the Year | Free Spirit | Nominated | |
| 2021 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary) | "So Done" (withAlicia Keys) | Nominated |
| 2022 | MTV Video Music Awards | Song of Summer | "Numb" (withMarshmello) | Nominated |
| 2024 | Berlin Music Video Awards | Best VFX | Satellite | Nominated |
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