Khaleel Mandel is a producer/composer/MC/singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist from CT. He’s been immersed in music making since he was nine years old in 2004. In 2005 he booked the role of Young Simba in the show’s West Coast Tour company. In 2006 he then won the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical from San Diego’s annual National Youth Theater Awards. Making him the only actor who played Young Simba to win anything for the role.
On October 12th 2018, rapper/producer/singer-songwriter/composer/multi-instrumentalist Khaleel Mandel released his debut self-produced album Original. The album is an intricate combination of genres such as Hip Hop, R&B, Pop, Reggae, Funk, Indie Rock & Avant Garde. There’s versatility from the hard-hitting rap centered title track, to the orchestral ballad containing Harpsichord, Acoustic Guitar & Strings, ’Snow On a Monday’. Work on the new album took place in Connecticut, Massachusetts & Barbados.
On August 31st 2019 he released his critically acclaimed second self-produced album 2019. Songs from it such as the pulsing uptempo romance driven “Her Eyeglasses” or the 5 minute story “Critical Point” are among some specific crowd favorites.
On November 21st 2020 Khaleel released his third self produced album Close The Book, and album where he is only singing. Close The Book is a concept album that’s autobiographical. It touches on topics such as breaking cycles, coping with being overlooked, sabotage & meaningful romance.
On December 1st 2020 Khaleel released his fourth self produced album Philharmonic, which he plays all instruments and is only rapping on. It contains hard hitting, knocking drum patterns, mixed with a newly formed sound bank of synths, real instrument tonalities & original dialogue. Philharmonic encompasses aesthetic value. This album is best described as a Hip Hop Symphony whose verbal content speaks about the current/former societal ethos, solution based scenarios, referring back to history to locate why we’re here in the first place, and just good old fashioned self-acceptance. Philharmonic musically expresses the character of authenticity. Songs such as My Fire illustrate the scenario of being the person who most look to for a recharge. Hum Lullaby highlights prioritizing children’s safety. Staff Of Hermes is a boom bap bounce that emphasizes overcoming opponents. Philharmonic has a record for every mood, A song for every day, and is an album that no other artist has made before.
