Khaled M
Chicago, Illinois, United States | INDIE
Music
Press
Khaled M. is an up and coming rap artist here in Chicago with a deeper understanding of the Crisis in Libya than most. His family has ties to the struggling country and knows first hand about life under the Ghaddafi regime.
- NBC 5 Chicago
Chicago's #1 Hip Hop blog breaks down Khaled M's "Can't Take Our Freedom" record and gives his story. - Chicago Now - Go Where Hip Hop
UK-based website features the hit record "Can't Take Our Freedom." - 100 Percent UK
As the situation in Libya escalates, the rapper son of a former political prisoner of Gaddafi’s regime releases a free track to increase awareness of his homeland’s plight. - Data Transmission
Debuts the hit record "Can't Take Our Freedom" - Elbo.ws
The Dallas Morning News touches on the story of Khaled M and the debut of the hit single, "Can't Take Our Freedom." - Dallas Morning News
UK-based hip hop website debuts Khaled M's top single, "Can't Take Our Freedom." - UK Rap Music
Chicago's #1 Hip Hop blog site tells Khaled M's story and breaks down his new single, "Can't Take Our Freedom." - Chicago Now - Go Where Hip Hop
Go Where Hip Hop reporter Lara Phillips, interviews recording artist Khaled M. about the past, present and future. Go Where Hip Hop, Chicago's #1 Hip Hop Blog! - Chicago Now - Go Where Hip Hop
A fan/blogger from Zurich, Switzerland gives his personal views on Libyan-American phenom Khaled M and what makes him so great. - Physick
Debuts "Can't Take Our Freedom" and tells the story of Khaled M's father, tortured for years in a Libyan jail for protesting Moammar Gaddafi’s regime before escaping. - Leftover Cake
A Libyan-American emcee who now resides in Chicago, has a direct connection to the violent times and fight for freedom currently going on in Libya under embattled leader Moammar Gadhafi. - Liquida
American-born, Libyan-blooded rapper and political activist Khaled M presents "They Can't Take Our Freedom", a collaboration with Iraqi-British rapper Lowkey. - Donuts and Milk
Vehem Magazine highlights the story of Khaled M and his release of "Can't Take Our Freedom" featuring Lowkey. - Vehem Magazine
The Courier-Journal talks with Khaled M about the release of "Can't Take Our Freedom" and the situation in Libya, Africa. - Courier-Journal
Just as Facebook was a driving force behind the uprising in Egypt, Khaled M hopes hip hop can help rally support in Libya. - WKYT
Khaled M speaks about his music as an inspiration to his countrymen and his role in the Libyan revolution - FOX 56
American-born, Libyan-blooded rapper and political activist Khaled M presents “Can’t Take Our Freedom”, from his upcoming release, FreEP - 7th Boro
As the revolution in Libya continues to attract worldwide attention and media coverage, U.K. Hip-Hop star and political activist Lowkey has teamed up with Khaled M for their new track “Cant Take Our Freedom." - Hip Hop Kings
Khaled M., a Libyan-American emcee who now resides in Chicago, has a direct connection to the violent times and fight for freedom currently going on in Libya under embattled leader Moammar Gadhafi.
- Chicago NOW - Go Where Hip Hop
His father, tortured for years in a Libyan jail for protesting Muammar Gaddafi’s regime before escaping, paved the way for Khaled M to speak out in America. - Knox Nation
Jerome and Radio M host Tony Sarabia chat with Khaled M about his music and politics. - NPR Chicago - WBEZ 91.5
Libyan-American recording artist Khaled M speaks about the significance of social media as a platform to the world about the crisis in Libya, Africa and the role of hip hop music amidst the struggle. - Complex Magazine
ABC's Aaron Katersky interviews Khaled M about his inspiring music and his connection to the revolution in Libya, Africa. - ABC World News
ABC's Aaron Katersky interviews Khaled M about his music and his connection to the revolution in Libya, Africa. - Yahoo! News India
ABC's Aaron Katersky interviews Khaled M about his music and his connection to the revolution in Libya, Africa. - Yahoo! News Canada
ABC's Aaron Katersky interviews Khaled M about his music and his connection to the revolution in Libya, Africa. - Yahoo! News
Music media blog site introduces its readers to recording artist Khaled M. - Ella Emma Pea Media
Host Marcus Riley discusses who will be the next to blow up from the underground Chicago hip hop scene. - NBC Chicago
Junior’s Cave presents the musical lyrical genius of Khaled M who is taking the Hip-Hop genre into new heights. Fans will enjoy his intelligent rhymes, powerful words, and smooth R&B flavor. Check out what the artist had to say about his music in this special spotlight. Enjoy!
- Junior's Cave Magazine
An in-depth interview with recording artist Khaled M. from The Right Kind of Brownies. - The Right Kind of Brownies
Arabic website covers and Khaled M.'s Go Where Hip Hop video interview. - Libya Almostakbal
Aiming is to encourage, inspire and expose talented young artists across the Middle East region, Mideast Tunes features Khaled M. - Mideast Tunes
My Hip Hop Radio features recording artist Khaled M. - My Hip Hop Radio
Pop Culture Magazine Greedmont Park, features Khaled M's Beautiful Feeling - Greedmont Park
GoWhereHipHop.com in affiliation with Chicago Now features recording artist Khaled M, recapping his North Coast Festival Performance - Go Where Hip Hop
Respected Chicago blog features Khaled M's "Beautiful Feeling" track. - The Gutta House
Khaled M is interviewed after being selected as the Independent Artist Talent Showcase winner. - Chicago Hip Hop Connects
Independent blog site features recording artist Khaled M. - The Black Post
Chicago hip hop site features recording artist Khaled M - Chicago Hip Hop Exposure
Internationally recognized FEN Magazine features recording artist Khaled M. - FEN Magazine
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
When was the last time you were listening to a song and you heard a verse that made you immediately rewind the track to hear it again? To quote a Rakim lyric, “it’s been a long time.” Khaled, an emcee who hails from Libya, Africa, but grew up in Lexington, Kentucky, is looking to do something about this. “I’m really trying to get people excited about lyrics again,” he explains, “I’m trying to take it back to the days when rhyming actually mattered.” In an era where dance moves and ringtone sales give an artist more clout than actual talent, Khaled is able to combine his craftiness with genuine song writing ability to appease both hip hop purists and casual fans alike. Khaled’s goal may sound like an uphill battle to some, but he’s not worried, fighting uphill battles is in his blood. In Khaled’s case he gets it from his father, Fathi, who was part of a revolutionary movement in Libya.
Imprisoned for his role in a student protest against the government, Fathi was facing a shortened life in jail that would end with his execution. After five years of brutal, dehumanizing torture, Fathi amazingly managed to escape incarceration. Khaled spent the first few years of his life on the run, moving from city to city, as his father avoided spies and attempts on his life. Fathi and his family finally landed in Lexington, Kentucky, the former American home base for the National Front for the Salvation of Libya. "I remember going to the pool with my father as a child and all the kids staring at his back," Khaled explains. "It was scarred up from the daily whippings he got in jail. Things like that seemed so normal to me as a child...we were born into the struggle." Finally able to grow some roots of his own, Khaled began school and by the time he had reached the sixth grade he was already involved in Hip-Hop.
Fathi was a brilliant poet who undoubtedly passed the gene on to his son. Unfortunately, Fathi would never get to hear his son rhyme as he passed away when Khaled was only nine years old. As the years passed Khaled became more proficient and during high school he would become the king of the lunchroom with his witty battle lines that defeated all comers. After high school came college, and ghostwriting.
Khaled’s ghostwriting resume encompasses a variety of acts including up-and-coming rappers, veterans trying to re-establish themselves, and even R&B songstresses. He says most of his ghostwriting work was for album tracks rather than singles, but he did pen one Top 40 hit. His route to ghostwriting was aided by a chance encounter with a manager for one of his favorite acts. While no record deal was ever agreed upon, Khaled used the opportunity to open networking avenues that he would soon be milking.
After years in the ghostwriting game, Khaled is ready to pick up the mic and make his impact on a rap industry that is in desperate need of new blood to carry the torch. "There are only a few new rappers that have the ability to really spit but also make songs that hook the listener," Khaled explains. "Not to mention content has been limited to strippers, jewelry, clubs, and drugs...is that really all there is to experience in life?" Khaled aims to make music that people can relate to but reaches farther than the same monotonous themes replayed on the radio.
With the rare combination of a quick wit, substance, and lyrical ability, there's no question Khaled’s time is now.
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