Rap-Up.com || 10 Questions for Khalil

Khalil gave up dreams of shooting hoops like Kobe Bryant to focus on singing in the same vein as Trey Songz. The Def Jam signee’s most noted for his blazing vocal talent as showcased on his single, “Girlfriend Ringtone,” where he belts out heart-throbbing R&B melodies with youthful flair. At the ripe age of 15, Khalil has already reflected on the euphoric yet confusing emotions of a first love and doesn’t hold back, asking an unforgettable girl, “Tell me what it is that I gotta do baby for you to be my girlfriend.” As a former aspiring basketball player, Khalil’s songs possess the spirit of an energetic playground baller combined with the charm of a school boy.

When the crooner isn’t driving tweens wild during a pizza party press appearance, he shoots three-pointers and catches flicks with his friends while bookmarking the next pair of Supras he aims to buy or the sweet rides—like a Lamborghini or four-door Porsche—he wants to command once he turns 18. As one of the promising R&B stars to emerge in recent years, Khalil lets loose about the Chris Brown comparisons, admits if he’s fallen head-over-heels in love yet, and reveals which rapper’s wife he thinks is a superstar.

1. What is your opinion about people saying Def Jam is trying to turn you into the next Chris Brown?
I have a lot of mixed feelings when people say, “Yo, I think you could be the next Chris Brown.” When I started singing, Chris is one of the people that I saw doin’ his thing and think is really dope. I’m just glad they’re not comparing me to someone that’s wack. Chris can sing, Chris can dance, and he is a star.

2. You were an avid ball player until you fully immersed yourself in music. If you could be drafted onto any NBA team right now, which would it be and who’s your favorite player?
I definitely have to say the Lakers. I love the L.A. Lakers; they’re my favorite team! And my favorite player would have to be Kobe Bryant.

3. Who’s your favorite female artist?
Beyoncé. I love Beyoncé. I love her charm. She’s a real hard worker and on top of that, she can dance and sing. She’s a superstar.

4. Is there anything you feel you’re missing out on because you’re not going to school with regular teenagers and starting a career at 15?
I actually get that question a lot. I have a tutor who home schools me and that’s fine. But I don’t really feel like I’m missing out. I’m living out my dream. I’ve always wanted to be great and wanted to do whatever it takes. I never really knew if the basketball thing was going to work out but when I got into music, I knew it was something I loved. But I think I’ll definitely miss going to prom.

5. What do you remember most about visiting Def Jam for the first time?
What was going through my head was, “Don’t mess up.” When I flew in and sat in the office, they brought me some Fiji water and there were all these awards hanging around the lobby and the office, which added to the suspense. Basically, just sitting in the office I told myself to do my best and after I thought they liked me I calmed down and my nerves came together.

6. Describe your typical performance preparation.
Well, usually I like to perform on the spot. If somebody asks me to perform, I could easily do it on the spot. That’s not the way I’d rather do it, but I’ve been doing this for a while now and I feel pretty comfortable in the studio scene and performance. There was a time when I just wanted to get in the zone and sit alone and just think backstage because I felt like that’s the way I can prepare myself best for like going to the Grammys.

7. What is your favorite thing to do with your friends?
I’m definitely a video game guy. I like NBA 2K and shooting games like Call of Duty. I also just like to go to the movies or whatever we’re doing, just hanging out with girls and playing basketball.

8. Have you had your first love yet? Is there a girl you write songs about?
Yes, there is one specific girl I actually write songs about. It’s the girl I had my first kiss with. I write a lot of songs about this because when you’re young you have mixed feelings, you have no idea why you’re getting those feelings. So I feel like with youthful love, you don’t really know what it is. It’s crazy.

9. What is your musical goal as a young, rising artist?
My goal is just to make timeless music. There’s a lot of artists like Donny Hathaway [and] Stevie Wonder who I listen to and I want to bring that old-school feeling to my music. I feel like making timeless music, that’s going to set me apart from everybody else.

10. Who’s the first artist on your playlist?
Drake or Rick Ross. I love both of their new albums. My favorite track right now is [Ross'] “Aston Martin Music.” It’s a crazy song with Drake and Chrisette Michele. It’s great.

–Evelyn Kim

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54 Comments

NAfz*
August 24th, 2010 at 7:06 am
he’s kind of cute <3
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From Tokyo
August 24th, 2010 at 8:31 am
Cute!
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lies
August 24th, 2010 at 9:05 am
he likes Beyonce so i like him. And i wanna fuck him. he’s mad cute
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Toot It & Boot It Reply:
March 1st, 2011 at 3:47 pm
@lies, Yhuu Aint Lyinn Boutt Daht !
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Temeira Reply:
July 9th, 2011 at 6:20 pm
@lies, He is sexy as hell
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kani k.
August 24th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
hmm yummy.. does he have some asian or arab blood in him?..
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staryy
August 24th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
damm he is a cutiee, i wanna fuck him too, OMG!!!
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ryyryy
August 24th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
watt a cutiee, I would let himm bang me wat a cutiee
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that girl
August 24th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
yeaah omg i when i first saw him (Diggy “first flight” release party pics) i thought he was half black/half asian. lol
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somethingspecial:)
August 24th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
aww!you are truly beautiful inside and out!
this is amazing ! i never new that (cough cough) was the one you always write about ! <3 does (cough cough) know? ;)
well anyways im very proud of you and im shure you will make timeless music !
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ewwwww
August 25th, 2010 at 12:44 am
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ yalll nasty lil gurls gonna be preganut by 17…
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elijahs gurl! Reply:
March 8th, 2011 at 4:47 pm
@ewwwww, wow! dats fukin true omg!
lmao lil nsty gurls dnt wnt u
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Kay kay Reply:
March 26th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
@elijahs gurl!, right lmaoo they’re like all stressing over him && shit like if he wants them lol like come on he prollie wn’t even read these shits . . .
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Obi Texas
August 25th, 2010 at 8:54 am
Some of these girls are nasty!!! Lol
He is really talented and has the look, voice, and dance moves to be a star. I know he will do well.
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lovable
September 7th, 2010 at 7:12 pm
i repsect what ur trying to do nd i lke your song girlfriend ringtone it does kinda sound lke run it team breezy all tha way
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MissMerrygold
September 9th, 2010 at 6:00 am
If he wasnt 15 i’d have a crush on him but he’s cute…….damn boy couldnt you be 17 right now!=D
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tiffany standford
January 29th, 2011 at 1:32 am
hi khalil what is your numder?
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2CUTEn*11
February 1st, 2011 at 6:12 am
wooooow is all i could say when i found out bout u between music and how cute u r. man kid u got alot of talent and go 4 ur basketball dream i will be yo 1 fan :) have FUN and keep up the gud work
LUV YA :o)
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Inez Stallworth
February 4th, 2011 at 9:26 am
He’s a kutie. 2 bad he’s 15.yungiin.
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luul
February 6th, 2011 at 4:49 pm
Omg hi is just sow cute I LOVE HIM <3 <3
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Ebony Babi
February 17th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
omfg ur major cutiee anywayz i ove ur songz plus im a singer miself not tryin 2 use u if i ever meet u but i <3 -im 13 years old
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ur amazing
February 20th, 2011 at 2:00 am
ur madd cute i love yo song “heyy lil mama”nd ur voice is amazing…we should so make a song together cus i can sing too :) not tryin to use u!!!!
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rabiatou sanogo Reply:
March 20th, 2011 at 8:48 pm
@ur amazing, my god u are trying to use him of cuorse d uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuh lol
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widline
February 21st, 2011 at 8:58 am
u are soo khalil love ur songz ur talented im 13
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widline
February 21st, 2011 at 8:59 am
i meaN U ARE ………… KHALIL UR TALENTED LOVE UR SONGZ IM 13 YRZ OLD WISH WE COUL DATE N STUFF
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nedda thomas
February 21st, 2011 at 3:50 pm
hey khalil do u got a facebook or skype or oovoo
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RAVEIN "OSOCUTE"HARRIS
February 22nd, 2011 at 11:10 am
HEYY WATS UP II WANT TO LET U KNOW U SO CUTE AND IM 15 MYSELF SO CALL ME 6019279081
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Toot It & Boot It
March 1st, 2011 at 3:46 pm
Whatt Ahh Finee Boyy ! I’dd Lett Hymm Smashh 2uu Andd Keep Hymm Fhaa Ahh Whilee (( Inn Myy Basementt !)) Lol Jk Bout Thee Basement Thingg Tho ;; But Yeaa !
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amy
March 1st, 2011 at 7:47 pm
hey i like your song i love sing to and i love playing football i think you are doing good keep up the good work
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asia
March 11th, 2011 at 10:16 pm
he is soooooo fine!!!!!! i just wanna OMG!!!!!!
DONT LET ME SEE HIM I MIGHT DO SOME THINGS TOO HIM OMG HE IS SOOO CUTE
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daia
March 14th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
he iz soooooooooooo fine like really khalil follow me on twitter @hot_baby_hot
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bubbles
March 19th, 2011 at 9:06 am
his a really qood singer i love his song hey lil’mama thats my favorite one
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li mama
March 20th, 2011 at 12:44 pm
mann if i see my mann khalil yall ani’t gonna see him no mo
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rabiatou sanogo
March 20th, 2011 at 8:47 pm
mane u r a talented yung man why wud u give up yo dreams of basketball wateva that is wat they say ur dreams might change
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asjha
March 26th, 2011 at 10:05 pm
omg he is every cute nd them other gurlz r bein mad nasty im like 14 nd i know right from wrong come on now … but anyway i play bball 2 nd im nice wit it if u eva in ny wit me up lol… maybe a lil 1 on 1 i think i can take u lol
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asjha
March 26th, 2011 at 10:06 pm
hit me up***
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olivia
March 30th, 2011 at 8:38 am
ilove u sooo much kahlil i adore u
i wish we can get a chance to talk before my 18 bdaii i love u alwayss
kisssess
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Lil_mama
April 1st, 2011 at 10:41 am
Heyy KhAlIl uu fynn boii…….im 14 n i playy ball2 ill rokk ur worldd 1on1 lol (;
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Laylah Reply:
October 4th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
@Lil_mama, Fienin Ass
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mmeeee......
April 6th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
he iz the hotiz guy ever seen be sides my man
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briana
April 9th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
you luk real gud on dhis pitcha (:
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Gorgeous_Beau
April 10th, 2011 at 10:37 am
Definitely my age;) && your talented
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roni 12
April 14th, 2011 at 6:07 pm
u are fine i love u i wish i could meet u i whot to go out with u omg u but the h in hot
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manijia
May 16th, 2011 at 10:45 am
you look sexy and good
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tanisha
May 30th, 2011 at 11:48 am
he’s kind of cute <3
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jayme
May 30th, 2011 at 11:50 am
he is sohot and smexy i love him!! <3 <3
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alana
May 30th, 2011 at 1:14 pm
OMG UR SO FREAKIN KUTE IM NLOVE WITH YOU….ALSO MY FAV SONG BY U SO FAR IS HEY LIL MAMA I LISTIN TO THAT SONG EVERYDAY!!!:)
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lilshon
June 6th, 2011 at 12:41 pm
MAN MARRY ME I LOVE DIS SEXY ASS FINE ASS LIL BOY :) WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I THINK IM PASS OUT HELP ME:)
>3
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melody
July 27th, 2011 at 6:18 pm
kahil u r so hot,like hotter than the sun..>>lol<<oh i like ur smile,it makes me wanna jump up n down..
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Khalil's girl (;
August 17th, 2011 at 6:06 pm
Wish it waas me he wrote those songs about </3
#LoveThoseCheekBones *love struck*
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Asia sherrief
August 19th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
wow lml luv yu khalil dnt stop watt yu doin cuz wen i get famous it’ll be me an yu lml
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tamariawright
August 22nd, 2011 at 4:41 pm
hey my name is tamaria i want to know if uwant to come to my sweetsixteen
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Laylah
October 4th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
Yall Hoes Is A Hot Ass Mess Fckk Off His Dick Yu Fiening As Bitches..! Its Amazing What Hoes Will Say For Dick. But He Is Cute!
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lay
October 4th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
ha
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