“It’s definitely been a crazy year,” declared Khalid on stage to the crowd gathered for Nielsen Entertainment’s fifth annual pre-Grammy Party Friday night (Jan. 26).

The 19-year-old R&B sensation performed his breakout hit “Location” at the Nielsen bash, which took place an iconic New York location, the former Four Seasons restaurant, now The Pool restaurant, off Park Avenue.

The song “Location,” from Khalid’s debut album, American Teen, “changed my life forever,” he said. He wasn’t kidding. Introducing Khalid to the crowd, Nielsen Entertainment president Howard Appelbaum recalled the young singer’s tale.

Appelbaum said,

“Just two years ago, when he was 17, Khalid’s goal was to be crowned prom king at his high school. So how did he win that? He uploaded a song [`Location’] onto Soundcloud which sent his votes soaring. And in less than a year he was in the top 20 on the Billboard charts.

“And how about this?” added Appelbaum. “Four years ago, when he was 15, he tweeted ‘I’d love to go to the Grammys one day.’”

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