Khalil Harrison continues to cement his place as one of South Africa’s most exciting musical exports, with his sound increasingly resonating far beyond local borders. In a recent exclusive sit-down with Billboard Africa, the producer and artist reflected on his journey since his breakout hit “Jealousy”, his growing international presence, and his latest collaborative project with LeeMcKrazy titled “Skeem Sam.”
Already dominating international stages, Khalil Harrison addressed questions around why his bookings are often outside the country rather than locally. Speaking candidly, he explained that the reception of his music abroad has played a major role in shaping his career direction. “It’s the sound, the type of sound that we do, they love it too much that side and also for me that’s our target market,” he shared. He added that the international market offers clearer opportunities for growth, noting that “the business is not booming here, outside that where things are moving, you can see where you are as an artist.”
During the interview, Khalil also spoke about the evolution of his sound and how key collaborations helped him discover his musical identity. He revealed that meeting LeeMcKrazy marked a turning point in his creative journey. “I found my style, I met LeeMcKrazy, I had the taste of this type of music,” he said, before crediting Ceeka RSA and DJ Exit for introducing him to what he now calls GqomPiano—a fusion of Amapiano and Gqom that has become his signature.
The conversation naturally led to “Skeem Sam,” his collaborative project with LeeMcKrazy. Khalil explained that the project goes beyond just music, emphasizing unity and connection. “The whole project is to unite friendships, it doesn’t matter what type of friendship or relationship, it’s just to unite,” he said. Following the success of tracks like “Balimele” and “Jealousy,” the duo realized they had something special. “We were like, no man, there’s something that we can actually put together… they really love the type of music that we make, so we can give them the project which is already moving.”
Billboard Africa echoed this sentiment in their caption, highlighting the project’s roots in street culture, creative chemistry, and the evolving language of Amapiano. As Khalil Harrison continues to grow artistically and expand his international reach, it’s clear that his journey is only gaining momentum—positioning him as a key figure shaping the genre’s next chapter.
