Taken from this week’s Future Pop mailer. Click here to subscribe.
Not to be confused with DJ Khaled, Khalid is a 19-year-old R&B singer from Texas. He’s best known for his single Location, which reached the US top 20, went platinum, and has 80 million YouTube views. It’s one of several recent hits that gained exposure on Kylie Jenner’s Snapchat. Less than a year later, his debut album made the US top 10. I find Location pretty dull, but his album title track American Teen is more fun and catchy, and Saved is also sweet. He represents Gen Z with his lyrical references to the digital lifestyle of today’s teens, comfort with discussing politics, and diverse musical influences that include Fleetwood Mac and Lorde (who he’s touring Europe with this year). If you haven’t heard his solo tracks, you may know Khalid from Calvin Harris’ single Rollin or Logic’s 1-800-273-8255.