“I was still a mechanic when Sydney Talker messaged me” – Khaid opens up on early struggles

Nigerian singer and rapper, Sulaimon Shekoni Solomon, professionally known as Khaid, has recounted his struggles growing up with a tailor father and mother who was a teacher.

He mentioned that he was raised in a household of ten, consisting of his parents, eight siblings, and himself. He also disclosed that he was still working as a hustler mechanic when he had his big break with Sydney Talker.

He added that he didn’t finish his education after graduating from high school because he was terrified of writing the JAMB and didn’t want to attend university.

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Khaid did point out that he had worked as a mechanic, painter, and barber while hustling after high school.

Khaid said; “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.”

Speaking on his plans to complete his education, Khaid said; “I still have plans to go to university. Immediately after I left secondary school, I did not want to go to university because I was scared of writing the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. Also, I was a mechanic at the time up until I got signed to a record label.”