Growing up in Saint Petersburg, Florida, Kalib Music was surrounded by music long before he ever stepped into a studio. Raised in a church family, his foundation was built on faith and live musicianship. His father was a preacher who played the keys, while his mother and sisters sang in the choir. Although music was always around him, his first dream was basketball.
That passion took him all the way to the college level, but deep down, music never stopped calling. After reaching college basketball, Kalib made the life-changing decision to walk away from the game and fully commit to his purpose as an artist.
His journey into creating music started early. At just 11 years old, he taught himself how to record using a jailbroken version of Cubase. By the age of 13, he was making beats on GarageBand, developing the skills that would eventually shape his own sound.
Kalib’s musical influences stretch across generations and genres. He studied artists like Kanye West, Jeezy, Freddie Gibbs, Odd Future, TDE, A$AP Mob, Flatbush Zombies, Chance the Rapper, The Game, Nipsey Hussle, KRS-One, Geto Boys, N.W.A, Wu-Tang Clan, Tupac, The Notorious B.I.G., and Rakim. Beyond hip-hop, he found inspiration in bands and artists like Coldplay, KISS, 30 Seconds to Mars, Skrillex, Paramore, System of a Down, and Rage Against the Machine. His Caribbean roots also played a major role, with legends like Bob Marley, Tarrus Riley, Jah Cure, Pressure, and Christopher Martin helping shape his musical identity. Studying music from every era and every genre gave Kalib a unique perspective that continues to influence his artistry today.
As a kid, he spent time traveling between Saint Petersburg and Lexington, Kentucky, where his mother lived. Sports kept him on the move, but summers with his father back home in St. Pete became some of his favorite memories. One place that left a lasting impact was the historic Royal Theater, a place that represents part of the city’s rich cultural history.
Before having access to professional studios, Kalib recorded wherever he could—his garage, friends’ houses, or any space that allowed creativity to flow. Today, that grind has paid off. He is now signed to Benton Records, an independent label and full-service recording studio based in Tampa, where he also works as an engineer. Alongside his team, Benton Records has built a strong distribution partnership with Symphonic, helping expand the reach of their music.
Kalib Music’s sound is a reflection of everything that shaped him. Built on the foundation of hip-hop while blending influences from rock, reggae, Caribbean music, and beyond, his music carries authenticity, versatility, and purpose.
His latest single, “High Rate,” is available now on all streaming platforms. Looking ahead, Kalib is already working on his next release with UK reggae band The League of Rebelz, continuing to push his sound into new territory while staying true to his roots.
Kalib closes by giving credit to the people who helped make the journey possible. He sends a special shout-out to his team at Benton Records, their distribution partners at Symphonic, his parents, The Garden, and most importantly, his hometown of Saint Petersburg, Florida—the city that continues to inspire everything he creates.
