Khaleel Mandel

Khaleel Mandel, born on September 25, 1994, in Boston, Massachusetts, is a versatile artist known for his talents as a rapper, singer-songwriter, composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Raised in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Khaleel was deeply influenced by his father, Carl Carter, a professional bass player who performed with the Grammy-winning group Digable Planets. This early exposure to music fueled Khaleel’s own passion, inspiring him to explore multiple instruments, including drums, piano, synthesizer, bass, guitar, and organ.

His musical journey began at a young age when, at just four years old, he received his first drum set. This gift from his parents sparked his enthusiasm for live music, which eventually led him to pursue a career in both performance and production. In 2005, Khaleel landed the role of Young Simba in the West Coast tour of Disney’s The Lion King, earning him the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical award from the National Youth Theater Awards. His appearances on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and Law & Order: SVU further showcased his early versatility.

Khaleel’s music blends elements of hip-hop, reggae, R&B, and funk, reflecting his eclectic influences and commitment to artistic innovation. He founded DoubleCrown Inc., a company dedicated to producing diverse musical projects. His debut mixtape Dead Weight (2016) and the EP 2019 (2019) marked significant milestones in his career. In 2024, his single “Chaser and Attracter” reached number one on the UK iTunes charts, cementing his status as an independent artist with global reach.