Podcast Summary
Baby, This is Keke Palmer | "Out, Loud & Free with Khalid"
Date: November 4, 2025
Host: Keke Palmer
Guest: Khalid
Episode Overview
This dynamic and heartfelt episode sees Keke Palmer sitting down with multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Khalid as he returns to the spotlight, discussing his bold new era both musically and personally. Together, they dive deep into creativity, identity, and vulnerability—unpacking Khalid’s journey from SoundCloud sensation to out, proud, and joyful artist redefining himself after a transformative hiatus. With humor, candor, and chemistry, Keke and Khalid explore artistic growth, sexuality, mental health, and the power of living freely.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Khalid’s “New Beginnings” and Mindset
- Mood Check: Khalid describes his vibe as “reinvigorated,” reflecting a sense of renewal (02:08).
- Music on the Way: He’s entering a bold new chapter with his latest music, “After the Sun Goes Down,” informed by a break from the limelight and a commitment to deeper honesty (00:28–00:40).
- Universal Impact of Music: Khalid shares a touching fan message about language barriers, saying:
“10 of my family members don’t speak any English, but they've played [‘In Plain Sight’] on repeat.” (03:01)
2. Astrology, Family, and Origins
- Zodiac Talk: Khalid is a double Aquarius (sun and rising) with a Leo moon—Keke calls this combination “fierce," lauding both his intellect and boldness (04:00).
Keke: “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.” (04:03)
- Family Influence: Khalid discusses his strong bond with his mother, her Leo energy, and her encouragement throughout his life and career (04:15; 26:33).
3. Khalid’s Artistic Roots and Early Career
- SoundCloud Discovery: Khalid reminisces about uploading “Location” as a high schooler, feeling distant yet close to those formative memories and the hustle it took to transition from military family life in El Paso to global stardom (07:11–08:47).
“You couldn’t have told me when I was 17...I just want to go to my third period, get the [day] over with.” (07:33)
4. Creative Evolution & Protecting Boundaries
- Growth and Authenticity: Khalid strives now to “be honest” and “raw,” acknowledging earlier self-protectiveness prompted by industry pressures (10:04–10:46).
- Balancing Public and Private Selves: Both discuss the juggling act of sharing enough to connect with fans, yet not overexposing oneself.
Khalid: “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.” (11:46)
5. Hiatus, Healing, and Inspiration
- Time Away (2019–2024): Khalid details stepping back for five years, not writing music for a year and a half to “live,” find new stories, and rediscover joy (13:46, 14:21).
Khalid: “I didn’t write music for a year and a half...It felt like I had to wait that long to know what to actually say.” (14:22)
- Living for the Plot: They laugh about making wild life choices “for the plot” (15:21–15:25).
- Integrity in Art: Khalid won’t release music unless it’s deeply felt:
“Do we think the fans just deserve a half-assed, short, safe [album]? It’s not gonna move anybody.” (17:32)
6. Breakthroughs via Mental Health and Psychedelics
- Self-Talk & Healing: Khalid opens up about negative self-talk, unhealthy relationships, and how psychedelic experiences dramatically shifted his inner dialogue (20:50–23:22).
“I was in the middle of the desert...the positive affirmations that were flooding in my brain: ‘You are light, you are love...’ It changed my life forever.” (21:47)
- Creative Rebirth: This healing period led directly to his album “Sincere” and a restored sense of purpose.
7. Public Outing and Embracing Queerness
- Vulnerability in the Spotlight: Khalid discusses the pain and public embarrassment of being outed—how he found strength in refusing shame, owning his truth, and refusing to hide (27:57–30:18).
“I’m gay. Yeah, okay. I just never said it to you, but I’ve been living my truth.” (30:16)
- Anxiety Before Coming Out: The anticipation of being outed caused severe anxiety, which paradoxically lessened after it happened (33:00–36:10).
- Family Acceptance: Khalid recounts moving conversations with his mother and friends—full acceptance and love (36:39).
“My mom looked at me and she said, ‘Does he make you happy?...That’s all I care about.’” (36:39)
- Queerness in Music: He now unapologetically uses male pronouns in performance (38:53–39:18).
“There is one song, ‘Eastside,’...I don’t think I can be on a stage and say ‘she used to meet me...’ It’s just not giving that. So I say ‘he.’” (38:53)
8. Advice and Representation for the Next Generation
- Responsibility and Representation: Now out, Khalid feels a duty to the next generation—especially Black and queer youth—to be “fearlessly queer” and put bold representation in his music and videos (41:25–43:09).
“It’s about 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 okay and that they have a shot...” (43:37)
9. Genrelessness, Pop, and Black Excellence
- Embracing All Genres: Khalid and Keke champion the validity of Black artists in pop music, challenging restrictive labels and celebrating Black contributions to popular music (44:30–45:13).
“We are allowed—we’re allowed to be Black and pop. We’re allowed to be Black, gay, and pop.” (44:41)
10. The New Era: ‘After the Sun Goes Down’
- Comeback Album: Discusses the making and ambition of the new record—writing it in just 2–3 months, capturing a danceable, confident, multi-dimensional sound (45:16–48:01).
- Vibe and Intention: Khalid wants the album to make people feel “alive,” to soundtrack their nights “getting ready...going out...coming home...emotionally and physically” (49:23–50:15).
- Critical Praise: Collaborator Julia Michaels called his melodies “magical” and noted the spontaneity and freedom in the creative process (50:44–52:07).
11. Giving Back and Legacy
- Community Work: Khalid shares his passion for education, his foundation in El Paso, and giving back to the Boys and Girls Club—deepened by his mother’s involvement and his own gratitude (52:12–54:03).
“El Paso adopted me as their own child...I have to give back to that city.” (52:38)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
On Creativity and Honesty:
- Khalid: “I gotta keep growing. I gotta pull that filter back a little bit... it’s also nice to be embraced by the world and for people to be like, I see you.” (10:46)
On Taking Space:
- Khalid: “I didn’t write music for a year and a half...I had to live experiences...get my heart broke...” (14:22, 15:08)
On Coming Out:
- Khalid: “I’m gay. Yeah, okay. I just never said it to you, but I’ve been living my truth.” (30:16)
- Khalid: “I feel responsible, and I feel like with authenticity is ownership. I’m like, I have to own it.” (41:25)
On Representation:
- Khalid: “I’m being honest with my queer identity...hopefully younger individuals see that and realize it’s okay and that they have a shot and they have a chance.” (43:37)
On New Music:
- Khalid: “He’s shaking the table...In Plain Sight is cute. It’s a little, cute little vibe to show people, hey, look, this is where I'm at.” (45:46, 45:53)
- Khalid: “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.” (49:23)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:26 – Keke frames Khalid’s career and major comeback
- 02:08 – Khalid’s mood: “Reinvigorated”
- 03:01 – The universality of music (fan story)
- 04:00–04:15 – Zodiac, Mom as Leo influence
- 07:11–08:47 – Early SoundCloud memories and breakthrough
- 10:04–10:46 – Creative evolution, “drawing the filter back”
- 13:46–14:22 – Purpose of hiatus, "learning how to live"
- 17:32 – “Half-assed album not enough,” integrity in music
- 21:47 – Psychedelic healing and self-affirmation in the desert
- 27:57–30:18 – Public outing, embracing truth
- 36:39 – Coming out to his mother; family support
- 38:53–39:18 – Changing pronouns in songs (“Eastside”)
- 41:25 – Responsibility to queer youth
- 44:30 – Blackness, queer identity, and pop music
- 45:16 – New album “After the Sun Goes Down” and comeback
- 49:23 – What he wants fans to feel
- 52:12 – Community foundation and El Paso roots
Takeaways
- Khalid’s journey is marked by self-discovery, growth, and increasing boldness in living and creating authentically.
- He’s openly embracing his queerness, advocating for vulnerable storytelling, and committed to giving back.
- His new work signals not just a musical evolution, but a powerful, joyful step toward freer, fuller self-expression—intended to inspire both his day-one fans and a new, diverse, global generation.
Ending Quote:
Keke Palmer: "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." (54:44)
Listen to Khalid’s new music and let his new chapter fuel your own journey—out, loud, and free.