Kaifi Khalil is a Pakistani singer and composer, who is known for bringing a twist to traditional Balochi music by combining it with modern music.
Wiki/Biography
Kaifi Khalil was born on 2 September in Karachi, Pakistan. His zodiac sign is Virgo. He spent his childhood in Karachi’s urban-slum area of Lyari, which is known for its violence, gangsters, and drugs. Born to a musician father, Kaifi was intrigued by music since childhood. Growing up in a humble household, Kaifi did not pursue schooling. He was introduced to the performing arts academy MAD School, Karachi, by a friend. Thereafter, Kaifi received his formal music training, free of cost, at MAD School, where he collaborated with numerous renowned musicians under the guidance of artistic directors Nida Butt and Hamza Jafri. Kaifi Khalil lives in Lyari with his mother.
Kaifi Khalil at his home in Lyari
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 8″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
His father, Rajab Ali Surizehi, was a musician, who played the Balochi banjo, guitar. Furthermore, his father also manufactured banjo.
Career
After his father’s death, Kaifi struggled to stay afloat and pursued various odd jobs. He saved his income and bought a secondhand guitar to pursue his passion for music. Thereafter, he taught himself to play the guitar via YouTube videos. He established his self-titled YouTube channel in July 2015. In November 2016, he uploaded his first YouTube video, an acoustic cover of the Balochi song “Mani Tawe Dost.” Thereafter, he uploaded covers of numerous Balochi and Urdu songs. His career was kickstarted by the non-profit Karachi-based organisation called ‘I AM KARACHI,’ which aims at promoting socio-cultural activities in Pakistan. I AM KARACHI provided Kaifi with numerous platforms to perform. In 2016, he also became the recipient of the I AM KARACHI HOPE AWARD (2016).
In the same year, he participated in the I AM KARACHI Music Festival.
Kaifi Khalil at I Am Karachi Music Festival (2016)
In 2017, he released the song “Chammani Ars” under his independent label. In 2019, he appeared in the Pakistani talk show ‘The Chiragh Baloch Show.’
Kaifi Khalil in The Chiragh Baloch Show (2019)
In 2020, he came into the limelight with the song “Bya K Bacheke Abdaale,” which has garnered more than 1 million views. His 2020 song titled “Tauba Tauba” was written and composed by his father for his mother, out of his admiration for her.
Tauba Tauba (2020) by Kaifi Khalil
Other singles released by him include Baali Guraab (2021), Kadi Kaye (2021), and Mast (2022). In 2022, Kaifi Khalil struck stardom after receiving a casting call from Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan, the producer of the Pakistani music TV show Coke Studio Season 14. In Coke Studio Season 14, Kaifi Khalil collaborated as vocalist with the Pakistani rapper Eva B and Tambura player Abdul Wahab Bugti for the song ‘Kana Yaari.’ Apart from Eva B’s rap, the song was written and composed by Kaifi Khalil. Garnering 3.2 million views by the third day of its release ‘Kana Yaari’ led Kaifi Khalil to become a YouTube sensation.
Facts/Trivia
- The about section of his Facebook account reads “I’m Ugly.”
- In an interview, Kaifi revealed that while growing up in the notorious neighbourhood of Lyari, he was bullied for pursuing a career in music. He said that people would call out teasy names and pull his guitar when he walked to his guitar classes.
- In an interview, he shared his desire to form a band. Apparently, whenever the singer secured an opportunity to perform at a college or university, they demanded a full-fledged band instead of a solo singer.
- “Somebody Else” by the English pop-rock band 1975 is one of his favourite songs.