KHALID BIOGRAPHY - AGE, CAREER, SONGS & FACTS

Khalid (born Khalid Donnel Robinson) is an American R&B and pop singer whose warm baritone and honest songwriting made him one of the defining voices of late-2010s pop. Born on February 11, 1998, in Fort Stewart, Georgia, he is 28 years old as of October 2026.

His breakout single "Location" arrived in 2016, before he had even finished high school, and his debut album American Teen turned him into a global star. Since then, Khalid has collected Grammy nominations, Billboard Music Awards, and chart records while collaborating with some of the biggest names in music.

Early Life

Khalid Donnel Robinson was born on February 11, 1998, at Fort Stewart, Georgia, and was raised in El Paso, Texas. His mother, Linda Wolfe, served as a medic in the US military and also worked as a vocal instructor, so music was part of his life from an early age.

As a child, he sang in church and school choirs, developing the smooth, conversational vocal style that later defined his records. While attending Americas High School in El Paso, he began uploading his first recordings online, and those early uploads earned him a deal with RCA Records and Right Hand Music Group.

Career

"Location," released in 2016 before his high school graduation, became Khalid's breakout hit and later earned a diamond certification from the RIAA. He followed it with "Young Dumb & Broke," and both singles reached the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100.

His debut album, American Teen (2017), was certified 4x platinum and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album. In 2019, he was named to the TIME 100 list.

His second album, Free Spirit, arrived in 2019 and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, moving 202,000 album-equivalent units in its first week. Its lead single, "Talk" (February 2019), was nominated for a Grammy and hit number one across multiple formats. On April 20, 2019, Khalid became the first and only artist to hold all five spots in the top five of Billboard's R&B Songs chart, and Billboard reported a 59-week consecutive Hot 100 hit streak stretching back to March 2018.

His third album, Sincere, followed in 2024. His fourth album, After the Sun Goes Down, was released on October 10, 2025 via RCA, with singles "In Plain Sight," "Out of Body," and "Nah."

Among his biggest collaborations are "Love Lies" with Normani, which reached number one, and "Eastside" with Benny Blanco and Halsey biography collaborator Halsey, which also topped the chart and set a record with its 30-week climb to number one on Pop Songs. He teamed up with Billie Eilish biography subject Billie Eilish on "Lovely," joined Ed Sheeran biography star Ed Sheeran on "Beautiful People," and released the hits "Better" and "Saturday Nights." In 2026, he released the single "Save My Love" with Kygo and Gryffin.

Khalid has earned seven Grammy nominations, six Billboard Music Awards, four American Music Awards, an MTV Video Music Award, two iHeartRadio Music Awards, the BMI Pop Awards Champion Award, and the SoundExchange Hall of Fame Award (September 2026).

Recent Work

In 2026, Khalid launched the "It's Always Summer Somewhere" tour, with the North American leg running through May and June 2026 followed by a European run in October 2026, including a London show on October 15, 2026.

His fourth studio album, After the Sun Goes Down, arrived on October 10, 2025 via RCA, led by the singles "In Plain Sight," "Out of Body," and "Nah." In 2026, he released the single "Save My Love" with Kygo and Gryffin.

Personal Life

Khalid keeps his personal life largely out of the spotlight and focuses public attention on his music and family. He was raised by his mother, Linda Wolfe, a US military medic and vocal instructor, and he has spoken about how her support shaped his path as a singer.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Khalid?

Khalid was born on February 11, 1998, in Fort Stewart, Georgia, which makes him 28 years old as of October 2026.

What was his breakout song?

"Location" (2016), released before he finished high school, was his breakout hit and was later certified diamond by the RIAA.

What are his biggest collaborations?

His biggest collaborations include "Love Lies" with Normani, "Eastside" with Benny Blanco and Halsey, "Lovely" with Billie Eilish, and "Beautiful People" with Ed Sheeran.

How many awards has he won?

Khalid has received seven Grammy nominations and won six Billboard Music Awards, four American Music Awards, an MTV Video Music Award, two iHeartRadio Music Awards, the BMI Pop Awards Champion Award, and the SoundExchange Hall of Fame Award.