Khaid
{{Short description|Nigerian singer and rapper}}
{{distinguish|Khalid (American singer)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Khaid
| image = Sulaimon Shekoni Solomon (Khaid).jpg
| caption =
| birth_name = Sulaimon Shekoni Solomon
| birth_place = Shibiri-Lagos
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2004|12|10|df=y}}
| death_date =
| genre = {{hlist|Afropop|Afro-trap|R&B}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|rapper|songwriter}}
| years_active = 2022{{ndash}}present
| label = Neville Records
| associated_acts = {{hlist|Sydney Talker|Zlatan|RexxieBoy Spyce}}
| alias = Shekoni
}}
Sulaimon Shekoni Solomon, known professionally as Khaid, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and rapper currently signed to Neville Records. He rose to stardom with the release of the song "With You", after signing a record deal with Sydney Talker's Neville Records in 2022,{{citation|url= https://music.apple.com/ng/album/with-you-single/1603818443 |title= WITH YOU - Single by Khaid |date=28 January 2022 |access-date=11 April 2025|via=Apple Music|publisher= Neville Records}} which earned him his first chart entry on Nigeria TurnTable Top 50 single chart at number forty-eight on 14 February 2022. Khaid converted to Christianity after leaving Islam.{{cite web | url=https://www.osundefender.com/why-i-left-islam-for-christianity-singer-khaid/amp/ | title=Why I Left Islam for Christianity – Singer Khaid - OsunDefender | date=13 October 2023 }}
Early life
Sulaimon Shekoni Abiola grew up in Shibiri-Ojo, and is from a family of ten. Sulaimon worked as a roadside mechanic in the street of Ojo fixing vehicles, to earn a living to support his family, and to be able to fund his music career.{{cite web |last1=Louis |first1=Tochi |title=Khaid joins Nigeria's afro-trap renaissance |url=https://pan-african-music.com/en/khaid-afro-trap/ |website=PAM - Pan African Music |access-date=23 February 2023 |date=31 May 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Malachi |first1=JaJuan |title=Khaid talks upbringing, being a rising teenager star and latest single: "With You" with The Knockturnal |url=https://theknockturnal.com/khaid-talks-upbringing-being-a-rising-teenager-star-and-latest-single-with-you-with-the-knockturnal/ |website=The Knockturnal |access-date=23 February 2023 |date=25 March 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Ojo |first1=Baambo |title=Interview: Khaid on his Music, Childhood, Sydney Talker & Diversity EP |url=https://culturecustodian.com/interview-khaid-on-his-music-childhood-sydney-talker-diversity-ep/ |website=The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.) |access-date=23 February 2023 |date=1 June 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Daniels |first1=Maisie |title=INTRODUCING: KHAID |url=https://www.fwordmag.com/single-post/introducing-khaid |website=fword |access-date=23 February 2023 |language=en |date=30 May 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Hussain |first1=Shahzaib |title=PLTFRM: Khaid |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/features/pltfrm-khaid/ |website=Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews |access-date=23 February 2023 |date=3 February 2022}}
Career
He started his music career in the street of Ojo. In 2021, Khaid posted a viral freestyle on Instagram that caught the attention of Sydney Talker who offered him a recording deal and introduced him to the public on 20 January 2022 as Sydney's Neville Records' first artist. He went on to release his first single "With You" on 28 January 2022, which peaked at number 48 in Nigeria TurnTable chart. Its accompanying music video was directed by Olu the Wave and currently has 4.1 million views on YouTube, as of February 2023.
On 22 April 2022, he released "SKI", with its music video directed by Sydney Talker. According to The Native author Wonu Osikoya, “Ski" Paints An Honest Picture Of His Life Before Fame”.{{cite web |last1=Osikoya |first1=Wonu |title=Listen To Khaid's New Single "Ski" |url=https://thenativemag.com/listen-to-khaid-ski/ |website=The NATIVE |access-date=21 February 2023 |date=22 April 2022}} On 27 May 2022, Khaid released his six-track debut extended play Diversity (stylized as DIVERSITY). Reviewing for The Native, Wonu Osikoya called the EP “A collage of vibrant sounds that will appeal to the young and the young-at-heart”.{{cite web |last1=Osikoya |first1=Wonu |title=Track By Track: Khaid Breaks Down His Debut EP, 'Diversity' |url=https://thenativemag.com/track-by-track-khaid-diversity/ |website=The NATIVE |access-date=22 February 2023 |date=27 May 2022}} On 4 June 2022, Khaid lead Pulse Nigeria Future Sounds Vol.10 playlist with his single "With You",{{cite web |last1=Courage |first1=Onyema |title=Future Sounds Vol.10 featuring Khaid, T DOLLAR, John Dreyz, SESS, Toliban, and more |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/future-sounds-vol10-featuring-khaid-t-dollar-john-dreyz-sess-toliban-and-more/sezp42f |website=Pulse Nigeria |access-date=21 February 2023 |language=en |date=4 June 2022}}
On 22 June 2022, he was named Apple Music’s Up Next Artist for Nigeria.{{cite web |title=Khaid is Apple Music's Latest Up Next Artist for Nigeria |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2022/06/khaid-apple-music-up-next-artist/ |website=BellaNaija |access-date=21 February 2023 |date=22 June 2022}} On 2 August 2022, he reveals how a DM from Sydney Talker changed his life, during an interview on the Midday Show with Do2tun, and Eve on Cool FM 96.9 Lagos.{{cite web |title=How A DM From Sydney Talker Changed My Life - Khaid Reveals - Midday Show - Cool FM Lagos |url=https://www.coolfm.ng/lagos/player/lagos/podcasts/episodes/how-a-dm-from-sydney-talker-changed-my-life-khaid-reveals/ |website=www.coolfm.ng |access-date=21 February 2023}} On 9 November 2022, he released "Amala", which became his much-anticipated single after his freestyle became viral on Instagram, and TikTok.{{cite web |last1=Adebiyi |first1=Adeayo |title=Khaid, Zlatan, and Rexxie combine for new single, 'Amala' |url=https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/khaid-zlatan-and-rexxie-combine-for-new-single-amala/j45m0j0 |website=Pulse Nigeria |access-date=23 February 2023 |language=en |date=11 November 2022}} "Amala" features guest vocals from Zlatan, and Rexxie, who also serves as the producer. Its accompanying visualizer, directed by Sydney Talker.
On 14 November 2022, "Amala" debuted at number 91 on the official Nigeria TurnTable Top 100 songs, number 66 on Top Streaming Songs,{{cite web |title=Official Streaming Songs |url=https://www.turntablecharts.com/charts/4 |website=TurnTable charts |publisher=TurnTable |access-date=23 February 2023}} and number 24 on Top Street-POP Songs.{{cite web |title=Top Street-POP Songs |url=https://www.turntablecharts.com/charts/8 |website=TurnTable charts |publisher=TurnTable |access-date=23 February 2023}} On 20 January 2023, "Jolie" debuted at number 92 on the official Nigeria TurnTable Top 100 songs, and was released for digital streaming on 25 January 2023,{{cite web |last1=Yongo |first1=Sughnen |title=Rising Star Khaid Shares New Single 'Jolie' |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/afrobeats-khaid-jolie-new-song/ |website=www.okayafrica.com |publisher=OkayAfrica |access-date=23 February 2023 |language=en}} and was named one of the Best Afrobeats Songs out right now by OkayAfrica.{{cite web |title=The Best Afrobeats Songs Out Right Now - OkayAfrica |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/afrobeats-songs-burna-boy-joeboy/ |website=www.okayafrica.com |access-date=23 February 2023 |language=en}} On 30 January 2023, he ranked at number 1 on TurnTable's NXT Emerging Top Artistes.{{cite web |title=TurnTable NXT Emerging Top Artistes |url=https://www.turntablecharts.com/charts/14 |website=www.turntablecharts.com |publisher=TurnTable |access-date=5 February 2023}}
On 31 January 2023, Spotify cited him as one of the emerging artists to look out for from Nigeria, alongside Tempoe and Poco Lee.{{cite web |last1=Adesina |first1=Michael |title=Khaid, Tempoe, Poco Lee among emerging artistes for 2023 - Spotify |url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2023/01/31/khaid-tempoe-poco-lee-among-emerging-artistes-for-2023-spotify/ |website=P.M. News |access-date=23 February 2023}}
On 13 February 2023, "Jolie" peaked at number 7 on the official Nigeria TurnTable Top 100 songs.{{cite web |last1=Oriowo |first1=Ayomide |title=Ayra Starr's "Sability" Debuts at No. 1 on the Official Nigeria Top 100, Khaid's "Jolie" Rises to No. 7 |url=https://www.turntablecharts.com/news/754 |website=www.turntablecharts.com |publisher=TurnTable |access-date=23 February 2023}} On 14 February 2023, Sydney Talker shares a screenshot of his Instagram DM, where Davido leaves a remark on "Jolie", which reads “I have played this song like 100 times in my house”.{{cite web |title=Skit maker, Sydney Talker shares chat with Davido |url=https://www.withinnigeria.com/entertainment/2023/02/14/skit-maker-sydney-talker-shares-chat-with-davido/ |website=ENTERTAINMENT — WITHIN NIGERIA |access-date=25 February 2023 |date=14 February 2023}} On 18 February 2023, "Jolie" ranked at number 5 on TheCable's{{cite web |last1=Daramola |first1=Kunle |title=TCL radio picks: Buju leads with 'Gwagwalada' as 'Abracadabra' takes double spots |url=https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/tcl-radio-picks-buju-leads-with-gwagwalada-as-abracadabra-takes-double-spots/ |website=TheCable Lifestyle |access-date=23 February 2023 |date=18 February 2023}} list of 10 TCL radio pick of the week. ‘Anabella video was released on the 24th of July and directed by The Peacock. And in 2024 He released Orobo which became an House hold favorite and now he is set to release beku which fans are hyper and can’t was to listen as he shared a snippet on is socials and The song is among his most use on TikTok .
Discography
=EPs=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of studio extended plays, with selected details and chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:14em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:17em;"| Details ! scope="col" colspan="1"| Peak chart positions |
| scope="col" style="width:2.8em;font-size:90%;"| NG |
|---|
| scope="row"|DIVERSITY
|
| |
| scope="row"|Emotions
|
| |
== As lead artist ==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of singles as lead artist, with year released and album shown ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:18em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:1em;"| Year ! colspan="6" scope="col" | Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Certifications ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:15em;"| Album |
| scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| NG ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| NG ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| SA ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| UK ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| UK ! scope="col" style="width:3em;font-size:90%;"| US |
|---|
| scope="row"| "With You"
| rowspan="3"| 2022 | 48 || — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="2" | DIVERSITY |
| scope="row"| "SKI"
| — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "Amala"
| 91 || — || — || — || — || — | | rowspan="1" {{TBA}} |
| scope="row"| "Jolie"
| rowspan="4" | 2023 | 7 || 6 || — || — || — || — |
|Emotions |
| scope="row"| "Carry Me Go" (with. Boy Spyce) | 8 || 8 || — || — || 12{{cite web |title=Official Afrobeats Chart Top 20 |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/afrobeats-chart/20230326/afrobeat/ |website=www.officialcharts.com |publisher=Official Charts Company |access-date=28 March 2023 |language=en}} || 44{{cite magazine |last1=Cusson |first1=Michael |title=Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-u-s-afrobeats-songs/2023-04-01/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=19 June 2023 |date=29 March 2022}} |
|{{TBA}} |
| scope="row"| "Anabella"
| 2 || 1 || — || — || — || — | |Emotions |
| scope="row"| "[https://hypetrendz.com.ng/khaid-rest-in-peace-mohbad-mp3-download Forever]"
| — || — || — || — || — || — | |
| scope="row"| "[https://hypetrendz.com.ng/khaid-marry-ft-shallipopi-mp3-download/ Marry]" featuring Shallipopi
| 2023 || — || — || — || — || — | |{{TBA}} |
Accolades
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
!width="250"| Awards ceremony !width="250"| Award description(s) !width="315" | Nominated work !width="80" | Results |
|---|
| rowspan="1" |2023
| rowspan="1" |The Headies |Himself |