Khalid: The Soulful Voice of Modern R&B

Khalid is an American singer and songwriter who emerged from El Paso, Texas, to become a defining voice in contemporary R&B and pop. His 2017 debut album, American Teen, was a commercial and critical smash, achieving double-platinum status and establishing him as a generational storyteller.

Early career

Born Khalid Donnel Robinson in 1998, his musical journey was shaped by a childhood spent moving between military bases before his family settled in El Paso. He began writing and recording songs in high school, uploading his early work to SoundCloud, which quickly caught the attention of the industry.

Breakthrough

Khalid's breakthrough arrived in 2016 with the release of his debut single, "Location." The smooth, minimalist R&B track became a viral sensation, leading to a record deal with Right Hand Music Group and RCA Records. "Location" soared to the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 and was eventually certified 8x platinum, setting the stage for his debut album.

Key tracks

Location — This breakout single defined his signature laid-back sound and launched his career with massive streaming numbers.

Young Dumb & Broke — A platinum-selling anthem from American Teen that perfectly captured the carefree spirit of youth.

Talk — This 2019 electro-funk hit, produced by Disclosure, became a global top-ten single and showcased his pop crossover appeal.

Love Lies — A collaboration with Normani that topped Billboard's Rhythmic chart and demonstrated his potent chemistry with other artists.

Better — A standout track from his sophomore album Free Spirit that highlighted his more mature, introspective songwriting.

Following the success of American Teen, Khalid solidified his status with his 2019 album Free Spirit, which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200. He is known for prolific collaborations, working with artists like Billie Eilish on "Lovely," Marshmello on "Silence," and Ed Sheeran on "Beautiful People." His music has earned him multiple Grammy nominations, American Music Awards, and numerous multi-platinum certifications across his catalog.

Fans of Khalid's smooth, emotive blend of R&B and pop should also explore similar artists featured on our site. H.E.R. shares his talent for soulful, guitar-driven R&B confessionals. SZA offers a similarly nuanced and genre-blending approach to modern soul. Daniel Caesar crafts intimate R&B with a gospel-inflected vocal style. Giveon delivers rich, baritone-led narratives in the same contemporary R&B space.

Khalid's music maintains a constant presence on modern R&B, pop, and top 40 radio stations across our network. His hits are staples on stations dedicated to current chart trends and soulful contemporary sounds, ensuring his voice reaches a wide audience of dedicated listeners.

You can hear the music of Khalid regularly on the radio stations featured here on onairium.com. Tune in to discover his catalog of hits and deep cuts through our curated selection of stations playing the best in modern R&B and pop music.