Out, Loud & Free with Khalid

Khalid has been blessing us with vibes since he dropped Location on SoundCloud as a teenager. And now, 10 years later, he is still one of the most soulful, talented, just flat-out incredible artists that we have today. Grammy-nominated, Platinum-certified, billions of streams, baby. Khalid is a superstar. But here's what makes this conversation special. After five years out of the spotlight, he came back not just with music, but the whole truth. His comeback album, Sincere, marked a fresh chapter. And now, after the sun goes down, we're stepping into a bold new chapter. So let's get into it. Because, baby, this is Geeky Palmer. So do the kickin' with the homies and kids. So grab you a drink and a snack, you enjoy it. Get into the vibe that only one can smell. You know it's your girl. Baby, this is, this is Geeky. Baby, this is Geeky Palmer, yeah. Before the holiday rush kicks in, I'm partnering with Airbnb to help you plan that perfect autumn escape. From dreamy mountain retreats to spacious homes perfect for gathering with friends and family. Airbnb has a map. There's amazing spaces for every kind of getaway. Now let's get into it. Okay, I'm here with one of my favorite artists. You know Motion has always had me in a chokehold. It's like very, like touching my soul. Khaleed, baby. What is up? I'm so happy that you're here on Baby, this is Geeky Palmer. Hey, thank you for having me, Kiki. Yes. I'm so happy to be here. Me too. Now, you did our pre-show pull-up. I did. So I have to get into the questions to get into what your vibe is today. Let's do it. Okay, so today I'm giving Relaxed. Relaxed. With the side of Newport. New Beginnings. That's fresh. I've been feeling very New Beginnings, too. I'm in my 30s. You know, she has a baby. So, you know, it's definitely giving New Beginnings, New Eras. Mm-hmm. Okay, today's mood in one word. Reinvigorated. Reinvigorated. Don't mind my spelling. Because, guys, look at this spelling. Don't mind. Not even spelling. Look at that chicken scratch. The penmanship was terrible today. Mine is bad, too. We be on them phones too much. Don't mind me. Okay. Let me know if you need me to help you out now. What did you listen to on the ride? Here. Full Moon by Brandy. And you know what? Yes. I actually listened to 125 Degrees. OMG. Come on, the Just Kiki album. I got my t-shirt and my panties on. Yes. I need to second up. Let's get in the skin. Yes. Because we're going to shout out Taylor Parks. Yes. As well. Ate that. Period. Thank you so much for getting into the music. Of course. You know I'm obviously getting into your new music. Of course. We're going to talk about it. Have the sun go down. Thank you. Okay. Last screenshot on your phone. No deleting. Show me. Okay. Wait. I don't have my phone right with me. Then tell me what it is. And don't lie. So I won't lie because I screenshotted it. I checked the time, 8.30 this morning actually. It was a fan's comment on my video for In Plain Sight. And they said, 10 of my family members don't speak any English, but they've played this song on repeat and they just love it. And I just think that's so amazing that music could just touch just all sides of the earth. And I feel like your music has always done that. Not even just culturally, but also genre-wise. Like people that maybe never listened to R&B or people that never listened to pop will get those sensibilities in your music. Thank you. You've always been like a universal artist in that way. It's nice to be reminded though. No, for real. Okay. I'm touching the family that don't speak no English and they vibing with me. Okay. I love it. Now, my favorite part obviously, you're a Zodiac. Now, I know you're an Aquarius sun. You're a Leo moon. I'm a Leo moon. And then you're rising as also an Aquarius. I just learned not too long ago, actually. That I'm an Aquarius. What'd you say? Rising. Rising. So, you're a double Aquarius with Leo. Don't judge me. That is a fierce combination. Don't judge me. Because Aquariuses are very, very smart. Too smart for their own good. Very highly eccentric, creative. You know, but then that Leo is like, don't play with me. And my mom's a Leo too. And so, she's just so tough and about hers. And she's just a strong woman. And I know you guys are close. I love my mom. Honestly. When someone's sun matches someone's like rising or moon or whatever, like they're in conjunction or whatever they say, they say it's like extremely like compatible. I feel her inside. Come on. You were inside. Literally. Okay, now. I'm on my mama's s**t. Okay. What is your love language, words of affirmation, and acts of service? I just love. Come on. That deep sigh gave me life. I just love to be told pretty words. Me too, babe. Just like make me feel. Make me feel good. Yes. Like hype me up. And what does acts of service look like for you? I love to give acts of service. I'm a giver. So, is it like I'm making you dinner? Is it like I'm making the bed? Is it like I'm getting you coffee in the morning? It's like. Running errands for you? I'm running errands. I'll fly across the moon for my love. For my love. I'll make sure that they don't have to worry about anything. No stress. Like pop your tire. I'll buy you a whole new set. A tire. It's giving zaddy. I know that's right. Okay. Yeah, it's just me. It's just me. Period. Okay. The most unexpected thing on your rider. My rider is boring as hell. I guess that is unexpected. It's so unexpected because I have nothing on my rider. Like I have like tea. Yeah, tea. And like fruit. Yeah. And just like random. Singer. Singer. Because I feel like I kind of, I just like to go in and focus. So much on what I'm doing. I don't have time to like eat. I'm howling. I don't have time to be human. I'm just like, let me just focus on the job today. Yeah. No, but I feel like afterwards you really relax. Because I remember when I went to your show. Were we in Vegas? Where was that? We were in California. I forget. Yamaha. Boom. At the casino. When I went to your show, like I watched your show, living for the show, obviously everything. Thank you. And then afterwards, I feel like you were like, okay, now the show's over. Let's get into it type vibe. So it's like beforehand, you want to be focused. As long as I have my body, I feel like, and my people, I'm really good. I don't really need all the trinkets and all the whatever. Sometimes I'll just pull up, get it popping, and I'm out. I'm out. That's that Aquarius shit. I'm out the door. So let's go back to the beginning because it's crazy. Like, I mean, I don't know if SoundCloud is still popping, but I know in the era in which you first dropped your music, like, you're one of those artists that we felt like, damn, we found, we, as an audience, we felt like we found you. You know what I'm saying? So when you go back to that beginning, I mean, this is 10 years ago. How does it feel looking back at that, at your high school self just dropping music on SoundCloud that became the soundtrack of people's lives? It's so bizarre. It's so, it's so distant, but so close. Like, it's so close that the memories are still fragrant. Yeah. Like, I can remember checking my own personal email and, like, my video productions class because I didn't have a computer at home. So I just. And where are you from? Well, my parents were in the military, so I started my career in El Paso, in Texas. Okay, boom. So I can just remember every journey, every step, every move for it to turn into something when at first it was just a dream. It's like, you couldn't have told me when I was 17, hey, look, you're going to travel around the world, perform for amazing people and have hit records and songs with billions of streams. I would have been like, what are you talking about? I just want to go to my third period and get this shit over with. Let's go home for real. But to see that, I just was really relentless about my dreams and my goals. I just was like, I don't care. I'm going to do whatever I have to do to get my music out there. Yeah. I can remember just even, like, meeting people from this company called Indified, emailing me, telling me, hey, look, you're going to be the biggest star by next year. And I'm just like, how, what do I do? But be myself. You know, so when I came into the industry, I had no knowledge of how do you perform? How do you show up as yourself? How do you, it's like I was learning about life, learning about this bridgeway to adulthood, learning about a career, learning about being a recording artist and all simultaneously at the same time. Finding who you are, growing who you are as an artist and discovering how to, like, also be like, this is a business. So how do I navigate this? Yeah, because, like, when I was in high school, my main priorities were really kicking the s**t, hanging out with my friends, getting into trouble that I probably shouldn't have been. So you couldn't have told me about what it is to really have a career and appreciate a career. All of the songs from American Teen, that was an autobiography. Thank you. But that was real life. The title, everything. It was real life. And so. You can't prepare in a way what's real. It's just like, it just comes out that way. So when the album came out, I'm being myself. I'm putting American Teen to the forefront. And they're just like, now you have to tour the world. Now you have to go here, go there, do this, go that. It was really a blur. So it feels so distant, but it's still just every memory is just. I mean, as a teenager, what was driving you creatively is one thing. And obviously what you knew about yourself was. it was very limited at the time. For all of us, we're learning ourself. Now you're in your 20s. drives your creativity now like what where are you pulling from musically now what drives me creatively is doing things that I haven't done yet and I've done nearly everything I've done EDM songs I work with country artists and pop stars and you name it um but I've been so modest in my career I've been so reserved I've been so kind of a step back it's like there's a door and there's a wall and it's always been to protect myself and now I'm like you know what life is short I've been in this career for almost 10 years what am I gonna do to be in this career for another 10 I gotta be honest I gotta be raw I gotta keep growing I gotta keep growing I gotta pull that filter back a little bit you know you want to protect yourself from the world sometimes but it is also nice to be embraced by the world and for people to be like you're not alone you're not alone you're not alone you're not alone you're not alone I see you yeah and in general it is really hard like being in the public eye you also don't know like what is work like what do I owe you as a public figure and what do I not owe you and that balance and that song and dance of trying to figure out like I'm being real but also like that's too much you know you're always trying to figure out how to grapple with that and so it's funny because when I first met you I was like I assumed you'd be very shy and quiet because sometimes that's what I'm getting from like your as an artist you get mystery you know on your page but then I met you I'm like oh he be hella talking he's a vibe you know you have such high energy so I was also surprised becoming a friend of yours so it really is dope to see that energy start to even come through greater with your stage presence your dancing I love all that I feel like my fans deserve it I feel like I shouldn't punish my fans because of the pressure of being perceived from the world I should come on speak on it you know what I mean I shouldn't take away from my fans genuine experience of knowing who I am because every fan can't afford a plane ticket every fan can't afford a concert ticket every fan can't afford to get close and personal to to you to be like how can I feel you who are you and so there's so many different types of fans that I feel like I I've left in a way untouched because of my distance that I'm like let me open up and let you back in and you guys can see just who I who I am I'm gonna keep my boundaries though period because you have to have them we're not we're not getting crazy over here damn but I'm gonna be open and I'm gonna let people know okay this is who I am and to the world it might feel like a reintroduction but I feel like I'm just allowing people that space like yep this is me we're going with you um now you were voted this is crazy that you were voted most likely to go platinum in high school and you've actually lived up to that prophecy so I mean what is that like please clock it like that's crazy first of all why did your school even have that as an option like who and I really would like there's a picture and everything like it's somewhere in the little photo photo studio in El Paso just on the wall just somewhere um that's crazy babe that's just god okay god be in favor of me I'm gonna be in favor of you I'm gonna be in favor of you you know what I mean god love a joke it is just so funny to see that and to think platinum that's way out of my reach and then to like go diamond I'm like you've done even further than that billions of streams it's insane and it's funny and it's just a little thing like you said that I look back at that like god so funny just now you stepped away from the spotlight in 2019 and then when you came back it wasn't just with music it was with your whole move so what did that time really teach you the time away to you know for you to come back it taught me life it taught me how to live it taught me how to enjoy myself and not to take myself as seriously I feel like when I take myself so seriously I'm so worried about what everybody's thinking what everybody's analyzing what I do feel like that's an Aquarius thing maybe maybe um and so when I took that time off um it was really for myself I didn't write music for a year and a half I didn't touch a pen I didn't touch a studio that must have felt like punishment on some level it it felt as that being your it felt like I had I had to wait that long to know what to actually say because I'm sorry but nobody really cares about me being on the back of a tour bus and me going from state line to state line like the stories just aren't story lines weren't there there's not exciting it doesn't move you uh and I that's real I don't want to hear about it so I know my fans don't want to hear about it and so I had to live experiences I had to date a couple people make a couple mistakes get your heart broke get my heart yeah I hate when we have to live and do the whole human thing because we're creatives and you know just for something to pull from I can't tell you how many hell holes I put myself in just for the storyline you can't pull from things we do that all the time though for the plot for the plot babe we do so much for the plot for the plot and be like I'm blaming it on the plot every time yeah it was for the plot don't worry about that one was there ever a moment where you were like am I even gonna really return to music because also you have had such success like you could be like on some Lauryn Hill and be like holla at your boy you know so was there a moment where you were like um I'm good love enjoy I knew I was gonna return to music on my own terms I'm like y'all gotta wait because good things take time and I feel like we're just in the society where we would just want everything just give it to me next week you just dropped the album I need the Deluxe like right now on my desk like right now um and I mean even when I took like five years to write my last one y'all relax the aggression is just next level drop my album now I'm like whoa whoa whoa where you think this album gonna come from the funny thing though is again this is the great thing about your albums is that it is a like I can live with this for five years album so when we do get it it's like I could sit with this for a long time till I get the next one let it marinate you know you might hear background vocals that you didn't focus on the first time just live with the music for a little bit because when I go in I really do put my soul into this like when I tell you like I was born to do what I'm doing now we're all here for a reason we were all called to do something and so since I know that like I was born to do this I know the power that it takes I know the Integrity that it holds I know how these stories can shape people because fans come to me like I've had cousins that have passed you were their favorite artists I went through depression you were how I got through do we think that the fans just deserve a half-ass short safe it's not gonna move anybody no um and if the music doesn't move you it's okay because it wasn't for you yeah uh you know as long as it moved you as the artist and I think it's so deep what you're saying too about like you know again whether it's for the plot or it's just for growth it's for knowing and evolving we have to take that time to be able to have something to say you've shared that through travel psychedelic solitude it's all reshaped your perspective which yes I know love me too okay get into it baby this is Kiki Palmer yeah you know how the holidays get everyone's schedule gets crazy and suddenly it's impossible to coordinate quality time with friends that's exactly why I've been searching on Airbnb for the perfect pre-holiday getaway because before all the festivities kick in I need that special weekend with my closest friends I found this incredible cabin with the guest favorite badge which means it's one of the most loved homes on Airbnb picture a gorgeous open concept space with the chef's kitchen the coziest living room and these huge windows that frame the most stunning fall views on Airbnb is how you can really make it feel like home sipping morning coffee on the deck cozied up in blankets cooking up some delicious comfort food together in the kitchen I mean game nights by the fireplace it's those little moments that make the best memories that's the magic of finding the right space sometimes you need more than just a place to crash you need somewhere that feels special where everyone can spread out and truly unwind before the holiday chaos check out Airbnb for your pre-holiday escape trust me they've got exactly what you're looking for to make unforgettable memories with your friends this message is brought to you by Apple Pay as many of y'all know holiday shopping as a working mama is no joke between prepping for my next guest on the podcast and chasing after my little one your girl needs everything to be efficient that's why I'm obsessed with Apple Pay the other day I'm recording and during my break I realize I still need to order those matching pajamas for our family Christmas photo but instead of stressing I just pulled out my iPhone for some last minute shopping found the cutest PJs online and easily purchased them with Apple Pay I just tapped the Apple Pay button at checkout a quick face ID scan and Dean Transaction complete. Trust and believe, holiday magic isn't about filling out payment forms. It's about creating special moments with family, and Apple Pay gives me more time for that. And when I'm ordering all those fun stocking stuffers for my baby boy and those perfect gifts for my parents, Apple Pay makes it quick. No more juggling a million things between takes. For real, though, whether I'm ordering holiday decorations or booking a Santa photo experience, Apple Pay makes it seamless. Just look for that Apple Pay button when you're shopping online or in apps. Pay the Apple way. Terms apply. Can you take me through, like, one breakthrough moment where you knew the reset was working, where you were like, "Okay, we're in a new era. I've opened up a new door. I've moved into a new level of the game." I feel like I used to have really bad self-talk. Oh! Don't. Like, I used to believe I was just a terrible person. I don't know. I just felt like I just wasn't cool. I just feel like -- I mean, because being through life, getting into relationships, unhealthy ones at that, you know, they mirror a dialogue, a dialogue, right? And so I was exhausted, and I didn't have -- I didn't have any thing to cling on creatively because I didn't feel the best. I didn't feel -- I didn't feel like a number-one artist. I didn't feel like a number-two artist. I didn't feel like a number-three. I just felt like, "What am I feeling right now? I'm numb." And psychedelics, okay. Get into it. Just a little micro -- no. Just a little bit more on my plate. But, okay, when I took a little Joshua Tree trip. That's where it all happens, isn't it? And I had my own shroom tomb, and I did my thing. Period. And when I went out on my walk, I was in the middle of the desert, and there's nothing miles away from me, and I'm surrounded, and it's just me. The positive affirmations that were flooding in my brain, "You are light. You are love. You are -- You're great. You're a ballerina if you want to be." Come on, twirl. You could twirl, you could spin, you could dance. You could do what you want. Like, you're on this earth for a reason. It's your path. You're carving out day to day. Stop taking yourself so seriously. Give yourself grace. Like, you are okay, and you are a good person. Just ease up. And when I had that conversation with myself, it changed my life forever. It was like the creativity was flowing out of me. I remember walking -- I remember walking down a mountain, and I sing a song from the top of the mountain to the bottom of the mountain. It was 30 minutes, just on loop, just doing what, you know, God called us here to do. And it felt really good, and it opened the doors, and it created "Sincere." And "Sincere" was just a life-changing, introspective album for me because I got to hear my thoughts. Yes. I got to hear my diary on repeat. And I'm like, "You know what? Some of these songs, I don't even feel that way anymore." Wow. Mm-hmm. I was like, "You know what? I'm actually not as sad as I was when I wrote this song." But isn't that so beautiful, the time and space and what an album can represent and be? And also, I do want to say to the kids that are watching, you know, we're talking about psychedelics, all this type of thing. You know, I just want to say, if that's something that somebody wants to do, you need to be safe. You need to think twice about it. I don't want to encourage, discourage, or judge. Okay. Disclaimer. Disclaimer. Just to say, you know, because people talk a lot about it. Right. And, you know, psychologists talk about it. A lot of people do a lot of things. Mm-hmm. So, you know, you need to know what you're doing before you do. And don't just do something because you heard about me and him talking about it on the show. I'm not advocating. Yeah. But that's your journey. But it's my journey. And it's real. And we talk about that because a lot of people have found help with that. It's real. You know, and I've had positive experiences myself. Mm-hmm. But I just want to say that just because we know the little ones might be watching. But, yes, back to this time with Sincere, listening back. I think that's the beautiful thing about albums, is that you can look back as, you know, you as the artist, and be like, "Damn. So that's where I was at." Oof. I was listening to my Lauren EP. I was listening to the Lauren EP the other day, and I said, "What the hell are you talking about, Kiki?" Oof. It was crazy. Like, when I listen to my older -- I'm like, "Kiki." But sometimes -- I'm trying to get down in the back. "What are you saying, mama?" I didn't have to tell them that. That's a little risque for me. I was really going -- Don't -- Like, if y'all go back to the Lauren EP, "Got Me Up" is up. I love it, though. Y'all. But it's so cool to just see how you've evolved. It's so true. Because there's also -- I have a song on my album called "Everything We See," and I wrote that after my psychedelic just endeavor. And -- And I hear a lyric like, "Who says there isn't beauty in everything we see?" And to me, that's the pivotal lyric. That's the -- You know what? I have a career that I'm graced with. I have a platform. I have an audience. I have a family I love. I have a roof over my head. Oh, my God. The beauty is just pouring out of my pores right now. Like, I got to put this out into the universe. And we don't get to pick when our blessings come. Like, patience is a virtue. And for me, I'm like, I will always throw paint at the wall. I will always throw paint at the wall. There's an endless supply. We are the source. If it doesn't stick this time, it's okay. And it doesn't hurt me. That's freedom. Because I've never doubted myself. Where do you think that confidence comes from? Because even when you're talking about how things can be outside of the music space, when I do -- when I am hearing you talk about music and your artistry, you seem so certain there. I mean, that must be an incredible feeling. Thank you. Like, you know for sure, like, I don't care whatever else I could be going through on the outside of this, but my music, I know me. What is that? How did you talk about that? It's above me. It comes from my blood. My mom, oh, my God. Like, you talk about singing. What? Yes! She be singing. And I grew up with that and I was raised with that. And I saw her beauty and I saw her perform. And I know it's above me and it's in me. My next album, I actually have her singing on my last track. No one's ever heard both of us together on a song. Wow. I think -- And this is after the sun goes down. After the sun goes down. That's what gives me confidence is knowing that I was raised with a mom that has such a beautiful voice. Such a beautiful pen and that it's real. And so I just trust in the source. And like I said, we're artists. Like, I don't think any project is a mistake. It came from inside of us. It was created. We cultivated it. We stayed in the studio endless amount of hours. What's a mistake about that? It's -- It's intentional. It's intentional. Therefore, it's a lesson. And I love music. Like, I'm sorry whether you listen to me or whether you don't. It's just like I will be singing for -- Eternity, baby. Eternity. Eternity. I'm in my grave like -- Ooh, yeah. Now, in 2024, your private life was forced into the spotlight. I mean, something that really, to me, is a crime. Yeah. Something no one should ever have to experience and go through. What was the hardest part about it? Because obviously, it's a breakup, and then it's the public thing. So, like, what gave you the strength to be like, "Look, it's me"? Dealing with the embarrassment of it all. Embarrassing. I know what you mean. Embarrassing. And the thing is, it's like, once it happens, you can't turn back. You can't turn around. You can't just, like, sweep it under the rug and be like, "All right. Nobody saw that," you know? So you have to deal with it. It's all you can do. Life doesn't stop. And I'm for sure not going to stop mine. And it's crazy when people weaponize vulnerability, honesty, but -- Intimacy. Intimacy. It's very hurtful. But when I know that what I put out is meant to be genuine, I can't be mad at myself for not having the knowledge. I can't be mad at myself for not having the tools. I can't be mad at myself that I might have stayed so long. I can't be mad at myself that I might have said, "Hey." And might have said, "Oh, you're cute." And, "Oh, wow. Do you want to, you know, go on a date to the park?" I was truthful. Because it was honest, and it was truthful. Sure. So when things are taken -- and this is the most that I've talked about it, and I feel like it deserves, like, an honest perspective. When things are taken away from you, for me, one thing that I will not allow is someone to weaponize my individuality. visuality against myself so when people might expect me to go into hiding and be like oh my god i don't want anybody to know i'm gay y'all it's like come on like no i'm gay yeah okay yeah i'm gay i just never said it to you i never said it to you but i've been living my truth my peers my family yeah my uncle is gay yeah you know like it's it's not taboo for you yeah it's not taboo and so for me the easiest thing to do like it's way harder to break down in tears and to stop everything and be like i don't want to do this anymore i'm gonna go into hiding i don't want to be exposed guys don't look at me it's harder to do that and i think it's easier to be like yeah i did it yeah i did that and it happened and i am him yes and go and i'm gonna be him period yes khalid i literally live for your literal comment you said i'm outed and the world still continues to turn let's get this straight lmao come on you ate that i'm a writer first okay yes i mean you really it really was very like and then i mean i'm curious for you obviously you're always living your truth but did you ever think up until this moment that you were gonna say talk about it publicly did you ever or was it a blessing in disguise that this happened in it how it impacted your your public persona i always before it happened always thought to myself when when would i how would i um i think it's a little bit more it's just a little bit more complicated than uh hey y'all i'm gay you know what i mean because it's like that has to just be introduced and i feel like i didn't want to put in the effort to showcase my sexuality as much as i wanted to put in the effort to making my music crafting my music because i do think sometimes people make things um a headline or a mockery in the wrong ways and it becomes like well i don't want to make it seem like i'm just it's like how do you know it's crazy how you don't know what to say when to say and it ends up seeming like you're not being truthful but it kind of feels like not the form for it yes coloring my hair right blue and my hair's purple if you can't tell with the light but uh coloring my hair blue you know you get a couple comments like there go this gay ass dude over here dying his hair blue like my hair was blue in 2018 and nobody batted an eye so it really it's the dialogue around sexuality to me that really does restrict because it reshapes the way everybody perceives what you're saying and in doing when you're so used to being talked about and you've seen the most horrible things about yourself already you can't distinguish like is this is this bad because they're intending for it to be bad so maybe i just shouldn't speak about it you know maybe i just i can drop nuggets here and there and it's kind of like if you know you know but i don't have to dig too deep into it and that worked for me it really worked for me but what didn't work for me was the anxiety that i had my anxiety when i wasn't out was extremely bad because i was almost anticipating being outed really i was anticipating it's fear i was living in here y'all know your girl is busy hosting my podcast memorizing my scripts and running after my little one breaking through this busy season requires equipment that's working as smart as i am and that's why i'm obsessed with the new peloton cross training tread plus it's cross training reimagined with features designed to help you reach your goals effortlessly giving personal trainer meets tech genius meets motivation station listen this thing is so smart and easy to get started peloton iq provides intelligent strength coaching watching my every move in the best way possible the movement tracking camera counts my reps corrects my form and suggests weights that'll challenge me at the exact right moment helping me achieve more in less time and don't even get me started about the swivel screen situation because it's everything one minute i'm conquering a 45 minute run then with one smooth spin i'm flowing into a five minute stretch the personalized plans though that's the real showstopper peloton iq creates these custom workout plans that have me feeling like the main character in my own fitness journey matching you with instructors who get your whole vibe whether you need that extra push or just some real talk motivation let yourself run lift skull push and go explore the new peloton cross training tread plus at one peloton.com what was the most fearful thing that made you because you know it's like was it just not knowing how to deal with it the unknown not knowing when it's coming you know it's when you don't know what the impact feels like like when you don't know what it's like to be at the top of a mountain and you're on the floor you're gonna have some second guessing about am i gonna climb my ass up to this mountain it seems so large overbearing so so sublime it's almost like debilitating but when i was outed and i was thrusted to the top of this mountain fully exposed for everybody to see me i was like damn way actually it's not that bad up here yeah because the worst is over the worst is over like the the what i felt about it the worst is over but how would you say that experience is different than when you told your family or your friends did you have a similar miniature version of being on the top of the mountain um i'm sure my mom knew i was gay it's so it's so cute how they just act and they just like baby if you like it i love it okay i'm like girl you knew but you know talking to my mom oh i came out to my mom around like 2017 2018 actually i've been out to my family for a very long time um and my mom looked at me and she said does he make you happy i said yes she said do you like him you think he's cute i said yes and she said that's all i care about that's all i care about you can date who you want you can just do you just be safe yep um so it was it was hard though oh it was so hard to i think it's so hard to tell people things about yourself that you keep to yourself you're like oh it's so hard to be open um i came out to my friends i was drunk on the tour bus uh y'all i'm gay it's okay we know baby we love you but i'm like oop clock my team right like what y'all mean we know come on that do be annoying when people like i'm getting like i already the glass was you know the door was good it could have been given metro shut the hell up it could have been given metro don't nobody want to hear that yeah just be surprised act surprised fake it give me the gag i'm looking for it's funny because i think that that was a lot of the rhetoric like oh the the the closet was glass the closet was glass the closet was glass i'm like if it's glass then it's kind of it's contradictory am i really hiding as much if you can oh no you know what i mean like because what are you saying really and so you just let the dialogue be the dialogue but i will say i was extremely embraced by a community a new community i see comments like oh i never was really checking for his music but he's gay so i'm supporting okay yes pride i'm like come on over because the music is really good now it's undeniable now so just come on i know some people we got to be in the mood to be in our feelings i get it but this this music is just electric i feel like this music is a celebration of my queerness yeah i mean and even with the pronouns that you're using you're saying he him handsome things like that how was that journey how is it when you're singing your other songs you know like it's like i'm gonna put that in there do you still let them live ambiguous in in you know relationship there is one song east side where maybe it's controversial i really don't care i'm sorry because it's my truth i don't think i can be on the stage and say she used to meet me on the east side it's just not giving that um so i say he i've said he a couple of times sprinkled it in he used to me y'all heard that he used to he used to oh no reaction all right let's keep it going i'm gonna sing it at the next one in the next one um but i'm dabbling and i think it's something to explore just as much as i'm exploring i mean it's a it's a new lane to explore a sexuality that you're out now everybody knows so it's almost like i feel like years behind but like i'm enjoying myself on this journey uh and so yeah i'm starting to say you know handsome i'm starting to say masculine terms because it's real and like i said music is authentic and even if i wasn't singing the pronouns before it I was really insecure about being open. That was real. I was really scared. I was really afraid. I was really like, how do I do this? I was really like, you know, you see a pool. I'm like, I want to jump in, but how do I swim to the other side? And now that I have the tools and the knowledge, it's just so much easier. I don't feel like the producers in the studio are like, y'all, he said he. I feel like I'm saying he, and they're like, you better say he. What would you say to other people? Because I think we live in a generation, too, right now where a lot of times they take what is queer or LGBTQ plus and make it very trendy. This is mainstream. A lot of the culture, the words, the slang, you have people using the words only you know it came from ballroom and et cetera. But still, there is a lot of homophobia that we constantly are also seeing. So we think we're so ahead, you know what I'm saying, and that things have changed. But you still have. You still have the reality of what you have to deal with when you do come out or how that impacts your life. So I'm curious, and maybe you don't have the words or the answers, but like, how do we help the young generation of young people that are coming up and owning their sexuality or their gender identity? And they're seeing people do it online, and it seems possible, but in their surroundings and their everyday life, it just seems like it's so far away from them. They're looking up at that mountaintop like you were. To look at myself as an artist and to think about. What? What my path will be for the future to be able to. Because I feel so responsible now that I feel like everybody knows, right? I feel responsible and I feel like with authenticity is ownership. I'm like, I have to own it. And I always think about the younger gays. I always think about the version of myself when I was 10 years old getting picked on at the park and, oh, you're so gay and you're so this and you're so that. I think about that. I think about that version of myself with my future moves on how how do I tell this story that to my fan base is is new for me? And I think it's about going for the lanes that being queer is to be black and queer might not be as easily accepted, but I'm like, I'm just going to go for it. I'm going to do it. I think it's about being fearlessly queer. Regardless of whether counterparts or other artists, friends or people might feel it's not going to stop what I'm going to put in this art that might potentially inspire the next pop star that just so happens to be gay black. That just so happens to be them. When I started working on the treatments for my videos, I knew that that had to be. The centerpiece of it all. Yep. My queerness, because it's it's a part of me that no one has explored because I'm currently exploring it as well. It's true in your era right now. I'm putting that male lead in that video. Me and that male lead might get a little close and a little steamy and a little personal. Yes. I'm holding my boundaries, though, y'all, because I'm not getting crazy. It ain't like that. It ain't like I'm going to hop out the closet and then now I got to bust down and like some heels. You know, I mean, I'm not saying I'm going. I'm all in. I'm all in. I'm all in. I'm coming out. I won't do it. No. Got to let it show. You know, I'm not saying that that's that because that's not me. And I respect who that is. But it's about being honest. I'm being honest with my queer identity and I'm not being afraid and I'm being bold. And hopefully younger individuals see that and realize that it's OK and that they have a shot and they have a chance because I've been given a platform. And I and I know for. For a fact that I've been given the platform under the guise that I am ambiguous. Is he straight? Is he gay? And I know that might have helped me and I know that might have propelled me. So I think it's about now. How do I continue to move forward representing? How do I continue to show people this is who I am? I accept it. I'm about it. And I love R&B music, but I want to do that on a pop spear. I want to do that. And the. The pop industry because. You deserve to because when we're hearing the pop things, it ain't nothing but R&B, but when it comes to our culture, you know, when it comes to our culture, it comes to us doing it. Suddenly we are loud. You know, we are loud. We are allowed to be black and pop. We're allowed to be black, gay and pop. Because what is pop popular music? Mm hmm. Beyonce been pop my whole life now. Obviously, there's R&B there. There's country, there's rock, but it's popular use. You can label it pop R&B for you to understand it. Whatever you got. I do because I love whatever you got to do. Exactly. But everything I can be pop because I woke up today, looked in the mirror and said, you know what? I'm going to be a pop star. And that's what it takes. I'm going to do it and been doing it. That's the gag. I'm going to do it. I'm going to do it. So let's talk about the fact that in plain sight, this new single coming on this new album after the sun goes down is already charting globally. Oh, thank you. How does that feel to see that kind of reaction already? I mean, again, you've you've done it. You know. You always are good. But this is like, you know, after five years of being away. I like in plain sight a lot. I think that in plain sight is a great introduction to 16 songs. And there's 16 songs in the album. He's shaking the table. He's taking it. He's taking it. So in plain sight is cute. It's a little cute little vibe to show people. Hey, look, this is where I'm at. This is the space. To me, it's the perfect first step. It's ironic in title. But I feel like when people hear my next moves, there will be no questioning. There will be no. I don't. I just believe it. I mean, you got to believe in yourself. I believe it. And I feel it. And the music tells me this. I listen to it every day. It's like, yeah, this right here. A hit boy. OK. So I'm going to do what I got to do to make it that. And I'm going to bust my ass off. Yeah. And that's it, too. That is. It's a lot of work. Touring. Going and working your records. I mean, this feels very throwback to like TRL, like 106th and Park. I mean, was that intentional, leaning into that 2000s? It was because, like I said, I feel like this is like some might may deem it to be a reintroduction. But I feel like I get to make the music that I'm not afraid of making anymore. And I think that's about making the music that, in a way, I was inspired by when I was younger. Yes. I can just remember rushing home and turning on a TV and just staring like, oh, my God, Beyonce's Sweet Dreams. What metallic outfit. This is crazy. This has never been done well. And feeling impacted. And we hold these things inside of us and we take them with us. And they grow like flowers inside of us. And so I'm so inspired by so many aspects of what it is to be a pop artist. That I'm like, OK, now I can just go for it. Like, I can just do it. You're telling me, y'all ready? All right, OK. And so that feels great. It feels great being like, I get to make the music that I listen to. That, like, I get to make the music that might have been my guilty pleasure three years ago. But now it just brings me pleasure. You called yourself like a one-man band on this album. How did you, like, what did you mean by that in terms of, like, was it just the vocal performance, the way you were stacking your harmonies? I love the choir. I love the choir. I love harmonies. I love structuring a song. I love doubles. I love making myself sound larger than I might be when I walk into the studio. And I believe that there are elements of this album that really do bring me back to the age of the boy band. Of our NSYNC. Of our, our time, uh, and you might listen to this album and be like, is this Khalid? This does not sound like him. It's like, I. Ooh, I love being transported though. Yeah, I like to sound like multiple artists on one track. I like to be my own feature on a song. I like to go into the second verse, how I would approach a feature if I was hopping on someone else's song. Uh, I love expanding myself because I'm multi-dimensional. And so I feel like I got so much artists in me sometimes, it's like four boys behind a mic. And so I'm ready for people to see it and to hear it because it's going to connect and it's going to take them there. If "Sincere" was your reset, what's the reintroduction, which I use reintroduction loosely, but what do you want people to feel when they listen to "After the Sun Goes Down"? I want them to feel alive. I want them to feel like they have an album to get ready to, to then go out and hear that album again, and then go home and listen to that album on their way home. I just want them to have music that moves them, like, get your ass out the house. Like, that's the music that I want. Music for a community. Yep. Uh, the bedroom pop, that was nice and I loved it and it was, it was for me and it helped me learn, but I'm ready to perform for the world. the world, I'm ready to go out there. I'm ready to be in the front of my voice instead of behind my voice. So I want people to feel alive. I want people to feel connected. I want people to feel inspired. And I want people to feel moved emotionally and physically. Yes. I mean, GQ referred to this album as horny. And you agreed saying, the freaks come out at night. So I feel like that title is perfect. It's like you was prepared for that. But after the sun goes out. After the sun goes, okay. Some things can happen after the sun goes down. Literally. So prepared. And I feel like when people hear, like I said, there's 16 songs. I don't feel like it'll take until they get to 16 to get it. I think they'll get it by track one. Period. I mean, songwriter Julia Michaels, she said that melodies just poured out of you in the studio. And she called it magical. She's an incredible songwriter as well. I mean, do you feel like that you're creating with more spontaneity now? Yes, because I. And this might. Scare people, okay? I did write this album in around two to three months. That might put fear in people's heart. It is so. Okay, oh, he wrote an album. It took him five years to write Sincere. It took him. I am moved by what I go through. And what I was going through was like the dam bursted. And it's just. The creativity is flowing out of me. And so am I going to step in front of that and be like, no. Stop. It's too soon. I'm going to chase that. I'm going to ride the wave. I'm going to get it out of my system. And to me, it's crazy. Because I personally, okay, personally, we all say this, right? We make a project. Oh, that's my best work. I feel like in terms of the knowledge that I have, the vulnerability, the openness, the maturity of my vocals, this album is so reminiscent to the energy that American Teen gave me when I first made that album. And so I feel really connected to that. And it's. If I say it, I'm like, it kind of has to be true. Like, I mean, these are some big shoes to fill, but. But it's you, so you can fill them. And I'm ready. Okay. Okay? If the. Put them on. Put them on. I'm ready to wear them. Let's do it. Well, I'm very excited about After the Sun Goes Down. I'm so mad that I have to leave with you soon. But I just want to mention the foundation that you started in El Paso with the Boys and Girls Club. What inspired this project? And what is it like really building a legacy in this way? What inspires this project is because. Before I knew that I was going to be an artist, I really wanted to be. I really wanted to be an educator. Wow. Like a teacher. I really wanted to be a teacher. Yeah. Or minister. I really wanted to be a music teacher. I knew that I felt called to help the youth. I do it in different ways now, but it still feels as impactful to me. For sure. And El Paso is a city I can never forget. El Paso adopted me as their own child. And he came out and propped me up and was like, look, this is our boy. And so when I come to El Paso, every time I come back, I'm graced with smiles and hugs and stories. I have to give back to that city. I'm doing multiple things that I love together. And my mom is a part of it as well. And she's a superhero because she handles so much. And she really busts her ass for me. And she does what she has to do. And she does what she has to do to represent my heart. So I love it. I love giving back to the community. I love visiting the kids. I love inspiring the kids and talking to them about music because music is sacred. We got to protect it. We have to protect it. No matter if the community is underserved, we have to protect the integrity of music because it's all of our crutch. It is all of our crutch. And so I just feel really moved by that. I wasn't able to be a teacher. And now I get to do it in different ways. I love that. I appreciate you. I respect everything that you're doing. And just most importantly, regardless of whatever labels people put on it or that you embrace, living authentically is not easy. And that's what we need. You know, that's what we need. That's what feels good. That's what's going to bring us to the people that we love and that we want in our lives and for us to be the best creative. So I really love that. And obviously, you're a friend. So I'm happy that you came on the show, boo. Girl! Girl! I live for you down. I really appreciate Khalid for coming on and being so vulnerable and just joyful with us today. From SoundCloud to Sincere, from five-year hiatus to After the Sun Goes Down, his story and growth about healing and fearlessness has been truly inspiring. He's given us music to vibe to, but he's also giving us courage to live through. Y'all make sure y'all stream the new single, In Plain Sight, and get ready for After the Sun Goes Down from Khalid. And baby, this is Kiki Palmer. Baby, this is, this is Kiki. Baby, this is Kiki Palmer, yeah. Baby, This is Kiki Palmer is hosted and executive produced by me, Kiki Palmer. Lucas Siegel is our post producer. Our producers are Lauren Hampton and Molly Nestor. Dusty McLaughlin is our executive producer. Production services provided by Evolution Media. Our original theme song was written and performed by me, Kiki Palmer. For Team Kiki, my producer is Sharon Palmer. For Wondery, our managing producer is Olivia Fonte. Senior managing producer is Nick Ryan. And our executive producers are Emily Feldbrake, Aaron O'Flaherty, and Marshall Louis. Hi, I'm Kenya Barris. And I'm Malcolm Gladwell. We're back for season two of our Audible original podcast, The Unusual Suspects. We'll sit down with extraordinary guests from the worlds of art, film, literature, comedy, and wellness to hear from their unexpected stories of success. And who do we have this season? Well, we'll talk with Grammy-winning artist Anderson Paak, athlete Rich Roll, portrait artist Amy Sherald, Oscar-winning director Ron Howard, legendary writer David Sedaris, and many more. These conversations are more intimate than last season, wouldn't you say? I would. You can listen to season one of The Unusual Suspects wherever you get your podcasts and sign up for a free trial Audible to listen to season two in the Audible app or by subscribing to Apple Podcasts. There are books that change how you see the world. And there are books that change how you see yourself. In a new podcast series, A Great Book with Barack Obama, President Obama sits down with a series of surprising, and sharp guests to explore six books that have shaped his life and perspective on the world. From Song of Solomon and The Fire Next Time to All the Pretty Horses and Gilead, the president is joined by guests like Tom Hanks and Ta-Nehisi Coates to reflect on how these timeless stories shaped his thinking on everything from fatherhood to leadership and discover together what they tell us about the world we live in and the world we want to create. Subscribers can listen to all episodes of A Great Book with Barack Obama ad-free right now. Plus, access each audiobook discussed in the series. Download the Audible app today.