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It’s been a busy holiday season for Khalid, who dropped his Scenic Drive mixtape on December 3, and recorded “Fall in Love at Christmas” with the Queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey, and gospel icon Kirk Franklin. He also performed the song with the five-time Grammy winner, and Franklin, in the holiday TV special, Mariah’s Christmas: The Magic Continues.
It was an unforgettable experience for the “Location” singer.
“I had a personal call with Mariah and we talked about the vision she had,” Khalid tells Billboard. “Everything was supernatural. I’m grateful I was a part of it.”
Scenic Drive also features another female superstar, Alicia Keys, who he says has “become like a mentor to me in the industry.”
One of the tracks from the mixtape, “Open” featuring the Canadian duo Majid Jordan, is a theme song for Coca-Cola’s new TikTok challenge designed to increase visibility and recognition for Black creators.
“Growing up, Coca-Cola has always been in my life, and with the release of my EP, it felt like the stars aligned themselves,” Khalid says. “They told me they were fans of my music as much as I’m a fan of them, so it’s truly a partnership. I’m blessed and honored to be a part of this.”
Scenic Drive is the 23-year-old singer’s first new music since his double-platinum second studio album, Free Spirit, in 2019.
“From the intro song, which I’m excited for people to hear Alicia Keys slams the keys so beautifully, right down to the last song [‘Scenic Drive’] with Ari Lennox and Smino. It reminds me so much of home, normalcy and being with the people I love.”
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