Kaleem
Kaleem: The Soulful Voice of UK R&B
Kaleem Taylor is a British R&B singer and songwriter known for his smooth, emotive vocals and contemporary soul productions. Hailing from London, he achieved significant recognition with his 2015 single "What Have You Done", a track that garnered millions of streams and established him as a key voice in the UK's modern soul scene.
Early career
Kaleem Taylor began his musical journey in the late 2000s, initially gaining attention through online platforms and collaborations with emerging producers. His early work, including the 2012 EP "Blindfolds", showcased a raw talent for blending classic soul feeling with electronic-infused R&B, leading to his signing with the independent label Black Butter Records.
Breakthrough
The artist's breakthrough arrived definitively in 2015 with the release of the single "What Have You Done". The song, a collaboration with producer Karma Kid, became a staple on UK urban radio and streaming playlists, accumulating tens of millions of plays and solidifying Kaleem's reputation for heartfelt, club-ready soul music.
Key tracks
What Have You Done — This 2015 single is Kaleem's signature track, a viral hit that defined his sound of melancholic soul over deep house-influenced production.
Never — A later single that highlights his vocal range and songwriting maturity, often cited as a fan favorite for its poignant lyrics and atmospheric beat.
Blindfolds — The title track from his early EP demonstrated his foundational style and helped attract his first major label interest.
Talk About Us — This collaboration with producer Preditah showed his versatility, merging R&B vocals with UK garage rhythms.
Following his initial success, Kaleem Taylor continued to release well-received projects, including the 2017 EP "Surface" and a steady stream of singles and features. His collaborations extend to work with artists like Kojey Radical and producers such as Grades, keeping him at the forefront of the UK's alternative R&B conversation.
Fans of Kaleem's brand of sophisticated, vocal-led R&B should also explore the work of similar UK artists. Sampha shares a talent for vulnerable songwriting and electronic soul textures. Jorja Smith operates in a similar space of modern, jazz-influenced R&B with powerful vocals. Sinead Harnett offers a comparable blend of emotive lyricism and contemporary production. The sound of Kiana Ledé, though from the US, aligns closely in its focus on raw vocal delivery and R&B storytelling.
Kaleem's music maintains a strong presence on radio, particularly on UK urban stations, online R&B streams, and independent music radio stations that champion soulful electronic music. His tracks are regular features in mixes and specialist shows dedicated to the future of soul.
Listeners can discover the soulful catalog of Kaleem Taylor by tuning into the R&B and future soul stations featured right here on onairium.com, where his music is regularly in rotation.