Khaleedthefirst

Khaleedthefirst (born 22 August 2001) is the stage name of Khalid Suleiman Chibuikem, a Nigerian-British singer. In 2022, he garnered widespread recognition with the release of his single Top Boy Remix,^[3] featuring Nigerian rapper Odumodublvck. The collaboration received a total of 1 million views on TikTok and also peaked at number 42 on the Sierra Leone, Apple Music chart.^[4]

In August 2024, Khaleedthefirst released a single titled Shobani ^[5] which Debuted at Number 21 on the top 50 Shazam Global chart.^[6]

Khalid was born on 22 August 2001 in Tottenham, London, United Kingdom, and moved back to Nigeria with his parents at the age of six. He was raised in Benin City, Edo State,^[7] before later relocating to Abuja to further his education. He graduated from Baze University in 2024 with a degree in International Relations and Diplomacy.^[8][9] In 2025, he pursued further studies^[10] in Video and Audio Design^[11] at Madison Area Technical College^[12] in the United States, before returning to Nigeria in November of the same year^[13].

On January 11, 2025, Khaleed took to his official X^[14] (formerly Twitter) to announce his forthcoming Project Sabogidda OrA,^[15] along with its lead single, "Character"^[16] scheduled to drop on 7 March 2025. The track dropped on March 14, 2025, under HoodAfrtn Records^[17] and quickly drew widespread attention, especially after the music video premiered^[18] on MTV Base.

The music video for "Character" was co-directed by Khaleed, which marked a major milestone as his first to air on MTV Base. Within just three weeks, it crossed 50,000 views on YouTube,^[19] becoming his fastest-growing visual project to date.

On March 14 same day "Character" was released, Khaleed opened up to fans via his official X^[20] account (formerly Twitter) sharing that he is currently studying Video and Audio Design at Madison Area Technical College^[21] in the U.S. since January 2025. He credited the course for sharpening his editing and production skills, which he fully poured into the production of "Character"'s^[22] visuals.

On March 18 Just four days after the release, "Character" began charting on Shazam^[23] in the United States, representing a significant breakthrough in his career. In a conversation with Rita Okoye of Vanguard News,^[24] Khaleed spoke about the vision behind the lead single of his forthcoming project:

On April 20, 2025, "Character" peaked at No.16 on the Apple Music Alternative chart in Liberia.^[26][27][28] The single, released on March 14, 2025,^[29] marked another milestone in his career and highlighted his growing presence in the West African music scene.

On April 26, 2025, "Character" secured the No. 111 position on the Top 200 Benin Republic Apple Music Alternative Chart,^[30][31] garnering notable recognition in West Africa. Just one day later, on April 27, 2025, the track jumped to No. 44,^[32][33][34] reflecting its increasing popularity and the rising impact of The first on the region's Alternative music landscape.

On August 22, 2025 - His 24th birthday The First released a new single titled "Șadé",^[35] a name of Yoruba origin meaning "honor confers a crown" or "wealth bestows a crown". The title is a shortened form of the traditional Yoruba name FoláȘadé, often given to daughters and rich in cultural significance. Stylized with the Ș (S-comma), the title is pronounced (sha-DAY), using Romanian orthography to emphasize the "sh" sound phonetically.

In an interview with Purp Kulture,^[36] The First' provided an intimate look into the creative and emotional process behind his song "Șadé". He described the track as having a smooth and melodic surface, while revealing that it is deeply rooted in memory and personal emotion.^[37] The first shared that the song draws from his morning ritual of waking up and listening to his own music—a practice that helps him stay grounded and connected to his past. Through this ritual, he channels his experiences with love and loss, using the song as a medium to express vulnerability and invite listeners into his world. The lyrics of "Șadé" reflect on a past relationship, with "Șadé" functioning not just as a name but as a symbol of heartbreak. The First painted a vivid picture of his ex-partner and the lasting impact she had on him, explaining how music became his safe space to process the emotions left behind.^[38] A standout feature of the track, as discussed in the interview,^[39] is the sample from Omah Lay's "soso", specifically the phrase "soso take my pain." The First highlighted this choice as a meaningful connection to the broader narrative of heartbreak in Afrobeats, while also lending the song a relatable and universal feel. Through the interview, The first positioned "Șadé" as more than just a breakup song—it is a candid confrontation with personal scars and a translation of pain into melody. He emphasized the song's role as an honest and heartfelt expression, showing his willingness to let down his guard and share his truth with fans. On September 6, 2025, "Șadé" secured the No. 25 position on the Shazam Global Top 50 chart^[40] in Beijing, China, marking a significant milestone in its international reach and reflecting its growing resonance with listeners beyond Africa.

On January 30, 2026, Khaleedthefirst released "Shobani" (Live),^[41] a reimagined version of his standout single, delivering a rich melodic experience alongside a bass guitarist, drummer, and keyboardist. The performance quickly gained traction, surpassing 100,000 views on YouTube within just three days of its release. The original track, Shobani, first dropped on August 30, 2024, and has since accumulated over 500,000 streams across all platforms,^[42] laying the foundation for the live rendition's success.

On August 30, 2024, Khaleedthefirst released his single "Chobani^[43] Now Shobani". The release garnered attention not only for the music but also for its striking album artwork, which prominently featured Chobani's yogurt branding. The artwork featured the Chobani logo, and the title was a direct play on the company's trademarked name. This raised immediate concerns about potential trademark infringement, as it appeared that Khaleed had used the brand's logo and name in a way that could cause confusion in the marketplace, a potential violation of intellectual property laws.

At precisely 1:36 PM, On September 9, 2024, Khaleed responded to the controversy via his official Twitter (now X) account with a post that seemed to address the ongoing legal questions. His tweet was implying that there was a deeper, ongoing issue.^[45]

A few days after the release, the title of the song and the artwork were changed. The song was rebranded to "Shobani,"^[46][47][48] and the artwork was updated to reflect the new branding, now free of any direct reference to Chobani yogurt. This quick alteration led many to believe that Chobani had reached out to Khaleed in resolving the issue before it escalated further.

On September 27, 2024, Khaleed posted an appreciation message on his social media platforms, which seemed to suggest that he and Chobani had come to an understanding. The post read:

"Thank you so much Chobani. I and my team sincerely appreciate this."^[49]

The post features Khaleedthefirst unboxing Chobani's latest yogurt products, which were recently sent to him.

On the night of 28 November 2024, Khaleedthefirst took to his X^[50] (formerly Twitter) account to publicly express his frustrations over Nigeria's escalating economic crisis.^[51] In his post, he criticized the government's failure to address the country's worsening economic challenges, which have resulted in widespread hardship for ordinary Nigerians. Khaleedthefirst's comments highlighted issues such as inflation, unemployment, and poverty, and he condemned the Nigerian government for its inability to implement effective solutions to alleviate the suffering of its citizens.^[52]

• Summer Never Ended (2026)^[53]

• TWENTY II (2023)^[54]

• Official Youtube Channel