Khyzyl Saleem is one of those rare creative minds who managed to turn a childhood passion into a global career. Born in Guildford, England, in 1993, he grew up fascinated by cars, video games, and futuristic art. Today, at the age of 33, he is celebrated as a conceptual artist, vehicle designer, and social media star. His work has not only shaped the way people look at digital art but has also influenced the gaming industry and the global car culture.
Saleem first gained recognition while working at Ghost Games, a studio under Electronic Arts (EA), where he contributed to the Need for Speed franchise. His designs stood out because they were not just about cars but about creating entire worlds around them. His art blends futuristic, dystopian elements with hyper-realistic car modifications, making his work instantly recognizable. Over the years, his unique style has earned him more than 994,000 Instagram followers as of 2025.
Early Life and Background
Khyzyl was born on May 3, 1993, in Guildford, England. Growing up in the UK, he was surrounded by a culture that valued both traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation. From a young age, he showed a deep interest in cars. His earliest memories often revolved around watching his father’s vehicles and being fascinated by their design and performance.
As a child, Saleem was not just interested in cars as machines but also as works of art. He would spend hours sketching vehicles, imagining how they could look in the future. This early passion for design laid the foundation for his later career as a conceptual artist. Unlike many children who outgrow their hobbies, Saleem’s love for cars and art only grew stronger with time.
Education and Academic Journey
Khyzyl completed his early schooling at a local high school in the United Kingdom. While he was a good student, his real passion lay outside the classroom. He often spent more time sketching cars and experimenting with design software than focusing on traditional subjects. Teachers noticed his artistic talent early on, and some encouraged him to pursue a career in design.
After finishing high school, Saleem enrolled at a local university in the UK, where he completed his graduation. While details about his exact field of study are not widely public, it is clear that his time at university gave him the space to refine his skills. He continued to explore digital art, often spending late nights working on personal projects.
Khyzyl Saleem – Infobox
| Full Name | Khyzyl Saleem |
|---|---|
| Born | May 3, 1993 (age 33 as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Guildford, England, United Kingdom |
| Nationality | British |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Occupation | Conceptual Artist, Vehicle Designer, Digital Creator |
| Known For | Futuristic and dystopian car designs, hyper-realistic digital art, contributions to Need for Speed (Ghost Games, EA) |
| Years Active | 2015–present |
| Notable Works | Contributions to Need for Speed franchise, Co-founder of Live To Offend (LTO) |
| Social Media | Instagram: @the_kyza/ TikTok: @the_kyza YouTube: @TheKyza/ |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
| Weight | 75 kg (165 lbs) |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Family | Based in Guildford, England (details private) |
| Relationship Status | Private (not publicly disclosed) |
| Net Worth (2025) | Approx. $3 million USD |
| Brand/Company | Co-founder of Live To Offend (LTO) |
| Hobbies | Car culture, automotive photography, digital art, travel |
Formative Years
Growing up in Guildford, Saleem was exposed to a mix of British and global car culture. The UK has always had a strong automotive heritage, from brands like Aston Martin and Jaguar to motorsport events like Formula 1. This environment gave him plenty of inspiration. At the same time, the rise of video games and digital platforms in the late 1990s and early 2000s gave him new ways to explore his creativity.
By his teenage years, Saleem was already experimenting with digital tools, teaching himself how to create 3D renders and conceptual designs. Unlike many artists who rely on formal training, he was largely self-taught, learning through trial, error, and endless practice. This self-driven approach gave his work a unique edge, as he was not bound by traditional rules of design.
Passion for Cars and Automotive Culture
Saleem’s love for cars is not just a casual interest—it is the foundation of his entire career. From a young age, he was drawn to the shapes, sounds, and personalities of cars. His father’s BMW E36 328i Sport, which the family owned in the early 2000s, left a lasting impression on him. Even though it wasn’t a full M-series model, the car’s sleek design, silver paint, and sporty stance became etched in his memory.
As he grew older, Saleem immersed himself in car culture. He collected magazines, cut out pictures of cars, and created his own scrapbooks of dream machines. He also spent countless hours playing racing games like Gran Turismo, Ridge Racer, and Need for Speed, which introduced him to the world of car modifications and tuning.
Another major influence on Saleem was Japanese car culture. During his travels to Japan, he was captivated by the creativity and boldness of the local scene. From Bosozoku and Shakotan styles to Euro-inspired builds roaming the streets of Tokyo, he admired how Japanese enthusiasts pushed boundaries with their cars.
Career Beginnings in Digital Art
Saleem’s journey into digital art began with a simple introduction to Photoshop by his father. Initially, he used it to experiment with car images—lowering suspensions, changing colors, and swapping wheels. By his late teens, Saleem was sharing his work online, particularly on ArtStation and Behance, where he quickly gained attention for his futuristic and hyper-detailed renders.
His early portfolio included radical redesigns of iconic cars like the Ferrari F40, Nissan R34 GT-R, and Mazda RX-7. These projects showcased his ability to balance respect for classic designs with bold, futuristic twists. This growing recognition eventually led to his big break: an invitation to join Electronic Arts’ Ghost Games studio in 2015.
Work at Ghost Games (Electronic Arts)
In 2015, Saleem joined Ghost Games, the EA studio responsible for the Need for Speed franchise. For a young artist who grew up playing racing games, this was a dream come true. At Ghost Games, he worked as a concept artist, contributing to the reboot of Need for Speed and later titles like Need for Speed: Payback.
His role was diverse. While his portfolio was heavily car-focused, he was also tasked with designing environments, cinematic scenes, and body kits for in-game vehicles. This experience expanded his skill set, teaching him how to create immersive worlds that blended cars with storytelling.
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Rise as a Conceptual Artist
After his time at Ghost Games, Saleem continued to build his reputation as an independent conceptual artist. His work became instantly recognizable for its futuristic, dystopian style—a blend of cyberpunk aesthetics, sci-fi influences, and hyper-realistic car modifications.
Saleem’s art also reflected his deep respect for automotive history. He frequently reimagined classic cars like the BMW E30, Ferrari Testarossa, and Toyota Supra, giving them bold new identities while preserving their iconic DNA. This balance between past and future made his work appealing to both traditional car enthusiasts and younger fans drawn to futuristic design.
Founding of Live To Offend (LTO)
One of Saleem’s most significant ventures outside of gaming was the creation of Live To Offend (LTO), an automotive brand he co-founded to bring his digital designs into the real world. The idea for LTO came from the overwhelming demand for his renders to be turned into actual body kits. Fans wanted to drive the cars they saw in his art, and Saleem was eager to make that happen. Along with his co-founder, he launched LTO to produce FRP and carbon-fiber widebody kits for iconic cars like the BMW E30, E36, and Mazda RX-7.
LTO quickly gained international recognition. Its bold, aggressive designs were showcased at major automotive events, including the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where Saleem’s creations drew huge crowds. Beyond body kits, LTO also expanded into merchandise and collaborations with well-known figures in the automotive world, including the late Ken Block and rally driver Travis Pastrana.
Social Media Stardom
Khyzyl Saleem’s rise to fame cannot be separated from his presence on social media. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have played a central role in turning him from a talented artist into a global name. His Instagram handle, @the_kyza, has become a gallery of futuristic car art, with over 994,000 followers as of August 2025. His posts, often featuring hyper-realistic renders of modified cars, average more than 28,000 likes per post, showing just how engaged his audience is.
Beyond Instagram, Saleem has also built a following on TikTok (30,000+ followers) and YouTube (24,000+ subscribers). On TikTok, his short automotive clips reach younger audiences who are drawn to quick, visually striking content. On YouTube, he shares longer car animation videos, tutorials, and creative experiments. These platforms allow him to connect with different segments of his audience, ensuring his work reaches millions across the globe.
Collaborations and Industry Recognition
Saleem’s talent has not gone unnoticed by the automotive and creative industries. Over the years, he has collaborated with major brands, photographers, and drivers. One notable project was his collaboration with Larry Chen, the world-renowned car photographer, where they recreated the Ebisu Minami drift track and iconic shots of driver Daigo Saito in digital form. This project showcased how Saleem’s digital skills could bring real-world automotive culture into new dimensions.
He has also worked on OEM special projects for car manufacturers, designing concept vehicles and body kits that push the boundaries of traditional automotive design. His brand, Live To Offend (LTO), has been featured at global automotive events like SEMA in Las Vegas, where his widebody kits drew massive attention.
Girlfriend, Relationships, and Private Life
When it comes to his personal relationships, Saleem has chosen to remain private. While fans are naturally curious about his dating life, there is little public information available. Sources note that not much is known about his girlfriend or relationships, as he prefers to keep that part of his life away from the spotlight.
This decision reflects his desire to maintain a balance between his public and private worlds. In an era where many influencers share every detail of their lives online, Saleem’s choice to keep his relationships private has earned him respect. It shows that while he is open about his art and career, he values personal boundaries.
Fun Facts and Lesser-Known Details
- Saleem’s nickname is “The Kyza”, which he uses across his social media platforms.
- His birthstone is Emerald, and his birth flower is Lily of the Valley.
- He was born on a Monday, which astrologers often associate with creativity and sensitivity.
- His favorite childhood car memory is his father’s BMW E36 328i Sport, which sparked his lifelong love for BMWs.
- He has a playful side—some of his renders, like the 911-X Porsche project, were created purely for fun, with no intention of being built.
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