Khamari is an R&B singer, songwriter and producer from Dorchester in Boston, Massachusetts, where he grows up. He is also known as Khamari Barnes. His work combines contemporary R&B, soul and pop with detailed songwriting and polished production.

Background

Khamari is born in 1997 and develops as an artist in Boston’s Dorchester neighbourhood. He studies at Berklee School of Music before leaving early to focus fully on his career. As well as writing and producing, he performs as a vocalist and plays piano and guitar. He also grows up playing a range of other instruments, including the French horn and violin.

Music and style

His music draws on a wide set of influences, including The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Sly Stone, Frank Ocean, Kid Cudi and Mac Miller. The result is described through songs that balance strong melodies with direct, personal writing and modern production. Trackside assist with the production on his work as close collaborators.

Debut project: Eldorado

His debut project, Eldorado, follows a loose narrative arc across its songs. It begins with isolation and uncertainty on “Jealous”, moves through the growth of a relationship on “That Girl” and “Pull Up”, then turns towards collapse on “The Heat”. “Other Side” looks back with nostalgia, and “Demons (Eldorado)” closes the project on a sombre note.

Career and reception

Khamari’s early career includes three Spotify New Music Friday placements, with “The Heat” reaching number 10 among them. He also appears as a cover artist for Spotify’s Fresh Finds and Tidal’s Pop:Rising. Additional playlist support includes Apple Music FEELS, Amazon’s The New Black and Breakthrough R&B. His debut project reaches over 12 million cumulative streams, with “The Heat” collecting 500,000 Spotify streams in its first week.