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 success, earning multi-platinum certifications and establishing him as a major new artist.

Early career

Born Khalid Donnel Robinson in 1998, he spent his formative years moving between military bases before his family settled in El Paso. His musical journey began in high school, where he started writing and recording songs on his phone, eventually uploading the track Location to SoundCloud in 2016.

Breakthrough

Khalid's breakthrough arrived swiftly in 2016 when Location gained massive online traction. This led to a record deal with Right Hand Music Group and RCA Records, with the single eventually peaking at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and being certified 8x Platinum.

Key tracks

Location — This breakout single went viral and set the template for his smooth, conversational R&B style.

Young Dumb & Broke — A quintessential anthem from American Teen, it became a multi-platinum hit and a generational soundtrack.

Talk — This 2019 single, produced by Disclosure, showcased a more dance-pop oriented sound and reached the top 5 on the Hot 100.

Love Lies — A collaboration with Normani, this platinum-selling track became a major radio hit and demonstrated his successful duet potential.

Better — A standalone single released in 2018, it further cemented his chart presence and has been certified 4x Platinum.

His sophomore album, Free Spirit, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 in 2019 and was supported by a major world tour. Khalid is also known for high-profile collaborations with artists like Billie Eilish on Lovely, Marshmello on Silence, and Calvin Harris on Rollin.

Fans of Khalid's smooth, emotive blend of R&B and pop may also enjoy the music of SZA for her introspective lyricism and genre-blending sound. The relaxed, melodic style of Daniel Caesar offers a similar soulful intimacy. For another voice in modern R&B with a confessional edge, explore Sabrina Carpenter. The atmospheric pop of LANY also shares a thematic and sonic kinship with Khalid's work.

Khalid's catalog is a staple on contemporary hit radio stations and modern R&B radio streams featured on this website. His consistent output of hits ensures his voice is regularly heard across various station formats, from top 40 countdowns to dedicated soul and R&B channels.

Listeners can discover the full range of Khalid's music, from American Teen to his latest releases, by tuning into the radio stations available on onairium.com. His soulful anthems remain in heavy rotation across our featured networks.