Khalil Amir Sharieff (born November 22, 1994) is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and rapper from Sacramento, California. At the age of 13, he was discovered by record executive L.A. Reid and signed to Def Jam Recordings in 2008. He released his debut single, "Girlfriend Ringtone", in May 2010 and its follow up, "Hey Lil Mama" (featuring Lil Twist), the following year; the former lingered on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart. Due to their lack of commercial response, his album Hot Like Summer was shelved indefinitely. Khalil and Def Jam labelmate Justin Bieber were closely associated; Sharieff was an accomplice to Bieber's 2014 legal encounters and public mishaps.
Early life Khalil Amir Sharieff was born on November 22, 1994, in Sacramento, California. He had a single mother who suffered from bipolar disorder, causing him to grow up in foster care until the age of nine, when he moved in with his mother after she became pregnant with his younger brother.
Khalil has stated that he would record songs on the local radio and sing them while doing chores around the house. He began posting videos of himself covering songs to YouTube, where he was discovered at the age of 13 by record producer L.A. Reid, who offered him a record deal. He then moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, and signed to Def Jam.
Career Khalil was signed to Def Jam's Teen Island label, which was created to "seize on the opportunities created by the phenomenon" of Justin Bieber. Rather than focus on making a hit single, his manager worked to "develop him into a long-term artist." While signed with Def Jam, he recorded a few singles, but did not release an album. His 2010 debut single "Girlfriend Ringtone" spent 13 weeks on Billboard's "Bubbling Under" chart but did not break onto the main Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.Khalil – Chart History Billboard His 2011 single "Hey Lil Mama", featuring Lil Twist, also charted on the Bubbling Under but did not break into the Hot 100. He parted ways with Def Jam around 2011.
Khalil is featured in three songs on Lil Twist's 2011 mixtape The Golden Child. On February 15, 2012, he released a collaborative mixtape with Lil Twist called 3 Weeks in Miami. On June 20, 2013, Khalil premiered the music video for his single "Stars" on his VEVO account.
In 2017, Khalil released his debut album, Prove It All.
Personal life On January 23, 2014, Khalil was arrested in Miami Beach, Florida, alongside Justin Bieber after they were caught racing luxury cars in a residential area while under the influence of alcohol. His bond was set at $1,000.
Discography Albums Hot Like Summer (shelved) Prove It All (2017)
Extended plays +List of mixtapes with selected details Title Album detailsKein TrostReleased: September 11, 2011 Label: Ghosthall Format: Digital download
Mixtapes +List of mixtapes with selected details Title Album details3 Weeks in MiamiReleased: February 12, 2012 Label: Young Money Format: Digital downloadA Long Story ShortReleased: August 28, 2014 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download
Singles
As lead artist + List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name Title Year Peak chart positions Album US USR&B USRap"Girlfriend Ringtone"2010 — — — "Hey Lil Mama" (featuring Lil Twist)2011 — 111 —"Bands Up" (featuring Birdman)2014 — — —A Long Story Short "Simple" 2016 — — — Misunderstood "Quality" — — —
Guest appearances +List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name Title Year Other artist(s) Album"One"2009Charlie HiltonGood Food!"Wait on Me"2011Lil TwistThe Golden Child"1812"Lil Twist, Lil Za"Wassup"2012Jae MillzThe Virgo 4: How Nasty Can He Get"No Lights"Jon HopeWork in Progress
Music videos
As lead artist +List of music videos, showing year released and director Title Year Director(s)"Girlfriend Ringtone"2010rowspan="2" "Hey Lil Mama"(featuring Lil Twist)2011"Stars"2013Josha Harris"Zone"(featuring Lil Za)2014rowspan="2" "Playtime"(featuring Justin Bieber)
References
External links Official website