Kaifi Khalil

{{Short description|Pakistani singer (born 1996)}} {{Use Pakistani English|date=February 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}} {{Infobox person | name = Kaifi Khalil | image = | caption = | native_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1996|9|2}} | birth_place = [[Karachi]], [[Sindh]], Pakistan | occupation = {{flatlist| *Singer-songwriter *Composer }} | years_active = 2016–present | known_for = [[Kahani Suno 2.0]] | website = }}

'''Kaifi Khalil''' ({{langx|ur|{{uninastaliq|کیفی خلیل}}}}; born 2 September 1996) is a Pakistani singer-songwriter and composer based in [[Karachi]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haleem |first=Soomal |date=2022-06-09 |title='Kana Yaari' is just a pit stop on Baloch singer Kaifi Khalil's journey |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1190240 |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=Dawn |language=en}}</ref> He rose to prominence in 2022 after his debut in [[Coke Studio (Pakistani TV program)|''Coke Studio'']]'s Balochi song "Kana Yaari".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-29 |title=Pakistani music in 2022: How newbie artists proved they're here to stay |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2393263/pakistani-music-in-2022-how-newbie-artists-proved-theyre-here-to-stay?amp=1 |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=The Express Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-20 |title=Not language, but music unites: Fans can't stop grooving to Balochi track 'Kana Yaari' |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2339608/not-language-but-music-unites-fans-cant-stop-grooving-to-balochi-track-kana-yaari?amp=1 |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=The Express Tribune}}</ref> His song "[[Kahani Suno|Kahani Suno 2.0]]" topped [[Spotify]] charts in Pakistan, Bangladesh and India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-14 |title=Kaifi Khalil sings 'Kahani Suno' for Ahsan Khan |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1020035-kaifi-khalil-sings-kahani-suno-for-ahsan-khan |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=The News International |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-31 |title=Top Pakistani tracks of 2022 |url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/1045886/top-pakistani-tracks-of-2022/ |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=Daily Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=13 January 2023 |title=Kaifi Khalil's 'Kahani Suno' bags a spot in Youtube's top global music video charts |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/13-Jan-2023/kaifi-khalil-s-kahani-suno-bags-a-spot-in-youtube-s-top-global-music-video-charts |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=Daily Pakistan}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ali |first=Imtiaz |date=2023-01-09 |title=Singer Kaifi Khalil denies being injured at Karachi Eat, slams harassment of women by individuals lacking 'decency' |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1191370 |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=Dawn |language=en}}</ref>

==Life and career== Kaifi was born and raised in [[Karachi]]'s neighborhood of [[Lyari]] to a family of [[Baloch people|Baloch]] musicians.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kaifi Khalil tops local charts on Spotify with over 19 million streams |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2396749/kaifi-khalil-tops-local-charts-on-spotify-with-over-19-million-streams?amp=1 |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=The Express Tribune}}</ref>

In 2015, he started his own YouTube channel and uploaded his first video in 2016. His first song was a cover of "Mani Tawe Dost," a Balochi tune.<ref name="Web Desk">{{Cite web |author=Web Desk |date=2022-06-21 |title=Kaifi Khalil and his life after "Kana Yaari" |url=https://www.aajenglish.tv/news/30289987 |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=Aaj English TV |language=en}}</ref>

He used to upload covers of songs and original music by him on his YouTube channel before being discovered in 2022 by ''[[Coke Studio (Pakistani TV program)|Coke Studio]]'''s music producer, [[Zulfiqar Jabbar Khan|Xulfi]]. He wrote and composed his verse in "Kana Yaari" three years prior to releasing it on the Coke Studio platform, singing alongside artists [[Eva B]] and [[Abdul Wahab Bugti]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Essa |first=Sheroz |date=2022-06-19 |title='Jabse Hosh Sambhala Hai, Main Gaa Raha Hoon' – Kaifi Khalil Shares His Musical Journey |url=https://www.parhlo.com/kaifi-khalil-shares-his-musical-journey/ |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=Parhlo |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Web Desk |date=2022-12-12 |title=Singer Kaifi Khalil talks about false perception of Lyari |url=https://arynews.tv/kaifi-khalil-about-false-perception-of-lyari/ |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=ARY NEWS |language=en-US}}</ref>

Since its release in 2022, his [[Urdu|Urdu language]] song "[[Kahani Suno|Kahani Suno 2.0]]" continues to be the top song for [[Spotify]] charts in Pakistan with 350 million plus streams to date. It also topped charts in Bangladesh and became a trending song in neighbouring India. The song's top countries for listeners include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the UK, US and Canada.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-19 |title=Kaifi Khalil tops local charts on Spotify with over 19 million streams |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2396749/kaifi-khalil-tops-local-charts-on-spotify-with-over-19-million-streams?amp=1 |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=The Express Tribune}}</ref> The music video also secured a spot in YouTube's Top 10 Global Charts peaking at number 8, the first Pakistani music video to do so.<ref>{{Cite web |author=News Desk |date=2023-02-26 |title=Kaifi Khalil thanks fans for their support as 'Kahani Suno 2.0' bags spot in YouTube top 10 global videos |url=https://thecurrent.pk/kaifi-khalil-thanks-fans-for-their-support-as-kahani-suno-2-0-bags-spot-in-youtube-top-10-global-videos/ |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=The Current |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Beyond borders: Kaifi Khalil's 'Kahani Suno' trending globally |url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/473139-beyond-borders-kaifi-khalils-kahani-suno-trending-globally |access-date=2023-02-26 |website=www.geo.tv |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title='Kahani Suno' enters to YouTube World Global Charts |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1030660-kahani-suno-enters-to-youtube-world-global-charts |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en}}</ref> It is also listed among the most-viewed Pakistani YouTube videos.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-27 |title=Baloch artist Kaifi Khalil's 'Kahani Suno 2.0' bags 8th spot in YouTube's top 10 global videos |url=https://thebalochistanpost.net/2023/02/baloch-artist-kaifi-khalils-kahani-suno-2-0-bags-8th-spot-in-youtubes-top-10-global-videos/ |access-date=2024-12-25 |website=The Balochistan Post |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2023, he announced his first international tour in [[Jeddah]], Saudi Arabia. During one of his interviews at [[Saudi Arabia]], the artist disclosed his liking for [[Prague]] and plans to visit the city soon.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-28 |title=Sensational Pakistani singer delights Jeddah audience with hit songs |url=https://arab.news/z85df |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref>

He has a vast discography with multiple songs, including ''Dilbar Dila Bide, Afsos, Beqaraar, Jungle Jungle, Tauba Tauba, Drog'' and ''Kadi Kaye.''<ref>{{Cite web |title=WATCH – Indian influencer Faisal Sheikh croons Kaifi Khalil's 'Kahani Suno' |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/29-Jan-2023/watch-indian-influencer-faisal-sheikh-croons-kaifi-khalil-s-kahani-suno |access-date=2023-01-30 |website=en.dailypakistan.com.pk}}</ref>

Other singles released by Kaifi include ''Baali Guraab'' (2021), ''Kadi Kaye'' (2021) and ''Mast'' (2022).<ref name="Web Desk"/>

==Artistry== He is recognized for putting a contemporary spin on traditional [[Balochi language|Balochi]] folk music with modern-day music.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kaifi Khalil |work=Fankar Online |url=https://fankaronline.com/artist/kaifi-khalil/ |access-date=2023-01-27 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Alam |first=Sher |date=2023-01-16 |title=Kaifi Khalil's Kahani Suno 2.0 Makes it to YouTube's Top 100 Global Chart |url=https://propakistani.pk/lens/kaifi-khalils-kahani-suno-2-0-makes-it-to-youtubes-top-100-global-chart/ |access-date=2023-01-27 |website=Lens |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Discography ==

=== Singles ===

==== Urdu songs ==== {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Song !Album !Music !Lyrics !Co-singer(s) !Ref. |- |2021 |"[[Kahani Suno]]" | rowspan="10" {{non-album single}} | colspan="2" rowspan="4" |Himself | | rowspan="2" |<ref name="Haleem">{{Cite web |last=Haleem |first=Soomal |date=2022-06-09 |title='Kana Yaari' is just a pit stop on Baloch singer Kaifi Khalil's journey |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1190240 |access-date=2026-02-14 |website=Images |language=en}}</ref> |- |2022 |"[[Kahani Suno|Kahani Suno 2.0]]" | |- |2023 |"Mansoob" | |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sabeeh |first=Maheen |date=18 June 2023 |title=Kaifi Khalil releases 'Mansoob' |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1081137-kaifi-khalil-releases-mansoob |access-date= |website=[[The News International]] |language=en}}</ref> |- | rowspan="4" |2024 |"Jurmana" | |<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Fatima |first=Noor |date=2024-01-10 |title=Jurmana — Kaifi Khalil announces new single to release on January 12 |url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/10-Jan-2024/jurmana-kaifi-khalil-announces-new-single-to-release-on-january-12 |access-date=2026-02-14 |website=Daily Pakistan English News |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |"Kahani Meri" |Anmol Daniel |Youngveer | |<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=4 January 2025 |title=7 Pakistani Songs That Literally Broke the Internet in 2024 |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2520009/7-pakistani-songs-that-literally-broke-the-internet-in-2024 |access-date= |website=[[The Express Tribune]] |language=en}}</ref> |- |"Khair" | colspan="2" |Himself | |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shabbir |first=Hera |date=2024-08-14 |title=Pakistani Star Kaifi Khalil's Latest Music Video Was Filmed Right Here In Bahrain! |url=https://lovin.co/bahrain/en/latest/pakistani-star-kaifi-khalils-latest-music-video-was-filmed-right-here-in-bahrain/ |access-date=2026-02-14 |website=lovin.co |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |"INTENTIONS" |[[Zack Knight]] |Himself, Zack Knight, Guree |Zack Knight |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 March 2025 |title=Hip-Hop leads Pakistan's Global Impact list on Spotify |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/tns/detail/1287673-hip-hop-leads-pakistans-global-impact-list-on-spotify |access-date= |website=[[The News International]] |language=en}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" |2025 |"Fitrat" | rowspan="3" |Himself | rowspan="3" |Himself, Ali Zaryoun |[[Tulsi Kumar]] |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tagat |first=Anurag |date=7 April 2025 |title=Kaifi Khalil and Tulsi Kumar Team Up for Indo-Pak Collab 'Fitrat' |url=https://rollingstoneindia.com/kaifi-khalil-tulsi-kumar-fitrat-song-video/ |access-date= |website=Rolling Stone India |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |"Daaman" | | |- |"Shikayat" | | |}

==== Balochi songs ==== {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Song !Album !Music !Ref. |- | rowspan="6" |2020 |"Daagh E Daata" | rowspan="23" {{non-album single}} | rowspan="23" |Himself | |- |"Bya Ke Bacheke Abdaale" |<ref name="Haleem"/> |- |"Tauba Tauba" | rowspan="2" |<ref name=":0" /> |- |"Drog" |- |"Purr Ka'n de Glass A" | |- |"Beqaraar" |<ref name=":0" /> |- | rowspan="13" |2021 |"Qissa Wafa e Mashup" | |- |"Dilbar Dila Bide" |<ref name=":0" /> |- |"Nazul (Mashup)" | |- |"Baali Guraab" |<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Khairi |first=Wallia |title=FOR THE RECORD |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/magazine |access-date=2026-02-14 |website=www.thenews.com.pk |language=en}}</ref> |- |"Showanag" | |- |"Shuthy Chamma Boro" | |- |"Baali Guraab - Unplugged" |<ref name=":1" /> |- |"Jungle Jungle" |<ref name=":0" /> |- |"Kadi Kaye" |<ref name=":1" /> |- |"Bya Ke Bacheke Abdaale (Unplugged)" | |- |"Mallo Mallo" | |- |"Tayi Yaad Atakagaa'n" | |- |"Afsos" | rowspan="2" |<ref name=":0" /> |- | rowspan="3" |2022 |"Mast" |- |"Tauseep X Urdu Mashup" | |- |"Zolfe Nooda'n" | |- |2025 |"Sotka Dil" | |}

=== ''Coke Studio Pakistan'' === {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Season !Song !Lyrics !Music !Co-singer(s) !Ref. |- |2022 |[[Coke Studio Pakistan season 14|14]] |"Kana Yaari" |Himself, Eva B |Himself |[[Eva B]], [[Wahab Bugti]] |<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2022-01-20 |title=Fans can't stop grooving to Balochi track 'Kana Yaari' |url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2339608/not-language-but-music-unites-fans-cant-stop-grooving-to-balochi-track-kana-yaari |access-date=2026-02-14 |website=The Express Tribune |language=en}}</ref> |- |2024 |[[Coke Studio Pakistan season 15|15]] |"Piya Piya Calling" | colspan="2" |Himself, Delara, Karpe |[[Delara (singer)|Delara]], [[Karpe]] |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=Images |date=2024-10-30 |title=Coke Studio's 'Piya Piya Calling' nominated for Norwegian music award |url=https://images.dawn.com/news/1192903 |access-date=2026-02-14 |website=Images |language=en}}</ref> |}

=== Television soundtracks === {| class="wikitable" !Year !Title !Song !Lyrics !Music !Note !Ref. |- |2022 |''[[Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha]]'' |"[[Kahani Suno|Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha - Title Track]]" | colspan="2" |Himself |Updated version of "Kahani Suno" |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Digital |first=A. R. Y. |title='Kahani Suno' by Kaifi Khalil on No. 36 in YouTube Top 100 Music Videos Global |url=https://arydigital.tv/kahani-suno-by-kaifi-khalil-on-no-36-in-youtube-top-100-music-videos-global |access-date=2026-02-14 |website=arydigital.tv |language=en}}</ref> |}

==References== {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Khalil, Kaifi}} [[Category:1996 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Pakistani male singer-songwriters]] [[Category:Pakistani singer-songwriters]] [[Category:Pakistani male composers]] [[Category:Singers from Karachi]] [[Category:Baloch musicians]] [[Category:Balochi-language singers]]