We recently connected with Khallil Stewart and have shared our conversation below.

Khallil, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Taking risks is what life is all about. When you get too comfortable it is impossible to grow. I recently took a big risk when it came to my day job.

I was working out of a warehouse that my dad manages and had a feeling that it was time for me to go. I began feeling anxious and knew that if I stayed there longer I’d get complacent or just wouldn’t be happy. I am very thankful for the job because during covid I was able to work there while the world was shutdown, but I am a person that has to constantly challenge myself in order to get the best out of me.

After working there from March 2020 to September 2021, it was truly time to go. Though I didn’t know how or where I would work, I knew that I had to leave.

In July of 2021, I was doing a photoshoot for one of my EP’s at ICON in midtown and had a random interaction that changed my life. Someone came up to me, my current boss, and asked me what I did. It was a very genuine interaction that turned into more frequent communication. He told me that he had a lot of connections in the music business which led us to grabbing lunch in late August. During that time at lunch I told him I was unhappy at my job and he began to explain he was looking for someone to help grow his start up. I didn’t know what to expect, but had this inkling feeling that this is what I needed at the time. I honestly only spoke to him around 5 times before that lunch meeting but my intuition pressed me to go take on something new.

My parents were very nervous for me to leave my job and go somewhere new, when I didn’t truly know what I was getting into with I someone I only spoke to a handful of times. But now I can say it was an amazing decision. I now work remote and travel monthly, for the most part, just to travel, Not even work related.

What’s funny about this whole thing is that a month before it happened, I kept journaling how I wanted a job like this that allowed me to travel whenever I want as well as allow me to have time to make music when I wanted, which was the most important.

Though the future was unknown, I believed in myself and jumped. And Im so happy that I did. Take risks. Take a chance on you.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Khallil and I am an artist, producer and songwriter from Atlanta, GA. I have been making music for 18 years but finally decided to release music under my name 4 years ago. Ever since then, I have released 4 EP’s, over 30 singles and performed at venues across South Carolina, and Georgia, including the Buckhead Theatre where I opened up for Warner artist Teddy Swims.

I am currently working on my next EP that I plan to release on November 25th, as well as another single on October 7th.

My main inspirations when it comes to music are Pioneers and Moguls like Kanye West, Jay-Z, Drake and Kid Cudi. One of my goals when it comes to music is to have my name stand tall next to those names above.

When it comes to music, I truly want to make an impact globally. I want to bring people together that wouldn’t necessarily see themselves together. I want to help organizations that are all about bettering societies across the globe. Having a platform where you are able to make a wide impact is what I strive for.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Soccer has always been my first love since a child. I’ve played, and still have goals of playing for the Jamaican national team. I have played for as well as had trials for 1st division and 2nd division pro teams in Germany and Mexico. So all in all soccer is truly my life.

In college, I suffered 5 knee surgeries which dampened my dreams at that moment to continue my soccer career. After every surgery I kept the same attitude and same feeling towards my dreams. And every time I was at a high, I’d suffer another knee injury. As frustrating and as mentally exhausting as that was, it taught me to never give up on the things you want. And never let anything stop you and your dreams.

I use my past experiences and trauma to fuel me today, Everyday is another day to get better, no matter how the day before ended. No matter how many times you get knocked down, just make sure you get back up because you never know when your time is, and would hate to know that you quit right before your life changed and your dreams were attained. So keep going.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding part about being a creative is that your creations. You literally make something out of nothing. And the way we are able to be so vulnerable and allow people into our worlds and them enjoy our worlds is something I never take for granted.

Also, being able to perform your creations live is one of the greatest feeling. Seeing people enjoy what you made and the show you put on in real time is second to none.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/khallilstewart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khallil-stewart
• Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/KhallilStewart
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNkyu28PFJseFUekWv-Lv4Q

Image Credits
Marley Mullis, Jason Lindner, Jordan Ulm, Juan Romero