The internet is a great place to find new music so once in a while I open a new tab, go to Youtube and let myself fall into a rabbit hole looking for music I haven’t heard before. There’s something about “discovering” new artists, or music you never thought you’d find yourself listening to, that sort of refreshes you. You never know where your next favorite song might come from – trust me.
My youth is the foundation of me
I can’t really trace the path that led me to Khalid’s music but I am sure glad it got me there. I might be well past my teen days but his music seems to transcend this and I can relate – somewhat – to his expression of what goes on in the life of a teenager. Love, peer pressure and everything you’d associate with being 19. Yes, he is only 19.
Khalid (Full name: Khalid Robinson) is an up-and-coming R&B artist out of El Paso, Texas, who burst onto the scene after Kylie Jenner featured “Location” in one of her snaps. – Genius
His debut album, American Teen, was released in March this year and it did not disappoint. The song titles speak for themselves. From “Young, Dumb & Broke” to “Another Sad Love Song”.
Location is the lead single from the album and it peaked at 24 on the Billboard Hot 100. The video is dope. Especially if you love muscle cars like me. It was actually the song that got me interested in his music and bring to light a great aspect of teenage relations in this digital age.
“Saved” is my favorite song off the album. He wrote it after moving New York to El Paso and the effects it had on his relationship at the time. I love the essence of the song and how he brings forth the aspect of having to let someone go yet hope one day you’ll get in touch.
The hard part always seems to last forever
Sometimes I forget that we aren’t together
Deep down in my heart, I hope you’re doing alright
But from time to time I often think of why you aren’t mine
American Teen takes you through the roller-coaster of emotions and experiences of being at a certain age and is sure one of the best albums I’ve listened to this year.
