Khaid Reveals Early Struggles: “My Father Worked as a Tailor, While I Pursued a Career as a Mechanic.”

Khaid, the emerging Nigerian artist, reminisces about his modest origins, sharing that he was raised by a tailor father and a mother who worked as both a teacher and a hairstylist.

Khaid, born into a family of 10, including his parents and eight siblings, provided further insight into his journey. He disclosed that he didn’t pursue higher education after high school, avoiding university due to apprehensions about taking the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) exam. Instead, he delved into various occupations, including working as a mechanic, barber, and painter, to sustain himself.

In his words:

“I grew up in a family of eight kids. My dad was a tailor and my mum was a teacher as well as a hairstylist. I grew up in the Ojo area of Lagos State. My primary and secondary education was at Ola Greater Tomorrow School, Ojo. I started singing when I was in secondary school after which I dabbled in different street hustles. I was once a mechanic, painter and a barber.

I was influenced to do music from a very young age because my parents were music lovers. My dad loved fuji music and my mum listened to Michael Jackson. From constantly listening to Michael Jackson, I got exposed to more foreign music. That was where my love for trap music grew and I started making trap songs.”

“I was still a mechanic then when Sydney Talker sent me a message on Instagram. When I saw that he followed me and ‘liked’ some of my posts, I thought it was a fake account.

So, I did not bother to check it out. When I eventually checked it, I wanted to send him a message to thank him for following me. But I realised he already texted me. We kept talking until one day, I just told him I was in Lagos Island and asked if I could come see him. I went to his house and I came up with about six songs. After a freestyle session, I later got signed and we did the paperwork.”