Rae Khalil, Grammy Award®-winning songwriter and R&B/hip-hop artist celebrates signing to Def Jam Recordings via Anderson .Paak’s APESHIT label, check out the signing video HERE. In celebration, Rae shares a soulful new single + video “IS IT WORTH IT” available across all platforms today. Listen HERE. Watch HERE.
Anderson .Paak on signing Rae Khalil: “Rae is not only one of my favorite artist/collaborators but one of my favorite human beings. I’ve seen her go from a contestant on a Netflix show to us winning Grammys together. Once Tunji signed her he asked me to do my “ Quincy Jones” thing and it’s been such an amazing experience being part of her journey and helping with her incredible project. The best is truly yet to come! We are super proud to have her on the APESHIT roster and can’t wait for the world to see what’s next.”
26-year-old Rae Khalil, from Torrance, California, originally came to prominence for her songwriting and background vocal contributions to “Lockdown” by Anderson .Paak. The track won for Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards® in 2021, Rae’s first Grammy® honor.
To her credit, Rae Khalil has received co-signs from world-class artists including .Paak, Queen Latifah, Chance The Rapper, Common, Free Nationals, and others. Rae first gained popularity in 2019, as a contestant on Rhythm + Flow – Netflix's first original music competition program. Her captivating live performances established her reputation, as seen on Rhythm + Flow and in her NPR Tiny Desk (Home) Concert.
Possessed with all the qualities of a true star, Rae Khalil was encouraged in her youth through musical theater. Her early influences range from the traditional – Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, Whitney Houston – to the likes of Eryka Badu, Brandy, Queen, Michael Jackson, Q-Tip, Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and more. This is only the beginning for Rae, who promises to stay true to her roots, while crafting new music on her albums to stand the test of time.
RAE KHALIL SIGNS WITH DEF JAM RECORDINGS VIA ANDERSON .PAAK’s APESHIT LABEL
