From topping charts to gaining the nod of approval from industry heavyweights like Hype Magazine, CBS, and Shannon Sharpe, Khaleel Mandel’s music has carved a niche for itself in the ever-changing landscape of the global music industry. His latest album, ‘The Most Threatening Artist Of All Time’ (TMTA-OAT), has been hailed as an ‘instant classic’ by platforms like Medium and has been instrumental in shaping the sound of Connecticut’s music scene.
Since the release of his first self-produced album, ‘Original,’ in 2018, Mandel has honed his unique blend of Hip Hop, R&B, Pop, Reggae, Funk, Indie Rock, and Avant Garde music. This uniqueness has shone through in his subsequent releases, including ‘2019,’ ‘Close The Book,’ and ‘Philharmonic.’ His originality and versatility in music composition have not only garnered him critical acclaim but also established him as a promising figure in the music industry.
When ‘TMTA-OAT’ hit the shelves on Christmas Day, the album became a monumental success. It achieved the remarkable feat of ranking simultaneously on the DRT Top 150, a Radio Chart founded by an associate of Oprah Winfrey, The Clintons, and Janet Jackson. The album’s presentation will be featured in the 2023 GRAMMY Book, further cementing Mandel’s reputation as a musician of note. As of today, it has been played over 1 Million times and has just set a record for the highest streaming album from an independent CT artist.
But the magic of Mandel’s work goes beyond just the charts. His ability to craft songs with fresh verbal and sonic perspectives, interspersed with familiar tones, makes his music sound timeless, as if it had been part of listeners’ lives for decades. This knack for creating everlasting music comes from Mandel’s deep-rooted connection to the North Carolina music scene and his lineage to legendary musicians like Scott Joplin, Treemonisha, Duke Ellington, and Billy Strayhorn.
While Mandel’s music speaks volumes about his talent, his work behind the scenes is equally commendable. As a co-founder of DoubleCrown Inc, Mandel has proved his mettle as a producer and composer, contributing significantly to the music scene by producing and composing an album for Keion Jevon, a member of his collective and his older cousin.
Facing and overcoming challenges is a part of Mandel’s journey. Learning a whole new system to mix and master ‘TMTA-OAT’ on the Harrison 4032 Console, the same console used for Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller,’ was one such challenge. But Mandel’s determination and unwavering focus turned these hurdles into stepping stones, ultimately resulting in an album that can be likened to an audio depiction of IMAX Panavision 65 mm Cameras.
As Mandel sets his sights on achieving an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony), garnering more critical acclaim, scoring multiple movies/TV shows, collaborating with A-List musicians, and producing platinum albums, his rise in the music industry seems unstoppable. And yet, he remains grounded, with a philosophy that everything is temporary, and one should not get too caught up in what seems like final outcomes.
At a time when the music industry is more competitive than ever, Khaleel Mandel is a breath of fresh air, infusing it with his unique sounds and timeless music. He is not just a musician, but a trailblazer, leading the charge for Connecticut’s music scene, and the industry had better take note. His work is proof that with unwavering determination, raw talent, and a passion for creating, an artist can make their presence felt and become a significant part of the music scene, independently and on their terms. Indeed, Khaleel Mandel is on track to becoming one of this era’s top-tier artists.
His Links:
Social Media & Personal links
https://ingrv.es/the-most-threatening-42k-o
https://instagram.com/onekhaleelmandel?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
