For many young people, music is a lifeline that helps them navigate the ups and downs of growing up. In society today, many would argue that from a musical standpoint, lyrics have taken a backseat to the beat of a song. It is rare to find a song or album in which the lyrics truly resonate. With his fresh and lofty voice, one 19-year-old is looking to return music to it's old form through powerful and relatable lyrics.
Khalid, a military child who identifies El Paso, Texas as his hometown, burst onto the scene last summer with his hit single "Location," and ever since then his brand has exploded. The young artist prides himself on writing and producing songs with relatable lyrics. So much so that his music has been described as “mood music for millennials." His first album, "American Teen," which was released in March, is the perfect example of how well his lyrics reach into the heart and soul of his fans. His album is the perfect example of rise and fall, from upbeat songs about the excitement of being a teen, to slower songs about the troubles that teens are faced with. From heartbreak to the role of modern technology in romance, Khalid addresses a wide range of relatable topics.
With songs such as "American Teen," "Young Dumb & Broke," and "8Teen," Khalid highlights the joys and realities of being a teenager in America. Khalid also examines the daily trials and tribulations teens face in everyday life in his songs, "Another Sad Love Song," "Coaster," "Hopeless," and "Shot Down." These all focus very heavily on the young love shared between teens. The thought that their love is real and that it will last forever, but as we all know that is rarely the case. In his song "Location," Khalid sings, "I don't want to fall in love off of subtweets." This line is a nod to the immense impact social media outlets such as Twitter have on romance among young people.
Khalid’s relatable and catchy lyrics coupled with creative beats immediately separate him from other current singers. This has allowed him to develop a very devoted fan base, that started small, but has grown exponentially in the last year. This was proven true when he took his first tour in the winter. He played at very small venues with only his earliest fans in the crowd. After his full album was released, he was given the opportunity to further grow his fan base by opening for Travis Scott during his “Bird’s Eye View” tour. Once that tour is finished, Khalid will headline his own tour to end the summer. Within a week of tickets being released, demand was so high that many cities were forced to change venues to accommodate the crowd size. On May 31, Khalid announced that the tour is now completely sold out.
Although Khalid is at a pivotal moment in his life when youth becomes adulthood, the Texas native is taking large strides towards success. At the young age of 19, he has already created a loyal fan base and social media presence. His music is original, authentic and mature in a world filled with hollow lyrics and techno beats. I was given the opportunity to witness Khalid's stage presence during one of Travis Scott's concerts and can say with complete confidence that this is only the beginning of his career. It is my greatest hope that the young artist continues to grow and stay true to himself in a world where originality is few and far between.
Check out his album, "American Teen" now on iTunes and Spotify!
