DJ Khaled

Biography

Khaled Mohammed Khaled (born November 26, 1975), known professionally as DJ Khaled, is an American DJ, rapper, and record producer. Originally a Miami-based radio personality, Khaled has since become known for enlisting music industry artists to perform on singles and albums, for which he typically serves as producer and hype man. His distinctions are his maximalist production style, booming voice presence, "motivational" abstractions, and numerous catchphrases.
Khaled was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Palestinian immigrant parents. He first gained recognition as a radio host in the 1990s for the radio station 99 Jamz, and translated his popularity by working with Fat Joe's hip hop collective, Terror Squad, as a DJ for their live performances and as a producer for the group. Following his production credits on the group's material, Khaled enlisted several hip hop artists associated with the group and his native Miami to perform on his debut studio album, Listennn... the Album (2006). His second album, We the Best×We the Best12 June 2007 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Intro (We the Best)1:582The Movement Skit0:233We Takin’ Over4:234Brown Paper Bag4:585I’m So Hood4:156Before the Solution4:297I’m From the Ghetto5:078Hit Them Up3:209“S” on My Chest4:1110Bitch I’m From Dade County5:4711The Originators6:1912New York5:55 (2007), spawned the hit single "I'm So Hood" (featuring T-Pain, Trick Daddy, Rick Ross and Plies). His two subsequent releases—We Global (2008) and Victory (2010)—both peaked within the top ten of the Billboard 200; the latter was supported by the single "All I Do Is Win" (featuring T-Pain, Ludacris, Snoop Dogg and Rick Ross), which received triple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
His fifth studio album and major label debut, We the Best Forever×We the Best Forever19 July 2011 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1I’m on One4:562Welcome to My Hood4:103Money3:554I’m Thuggin4:175It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over3:146Legendary4:167Sleep When I’m Gone5:228Can’t Stop2:509Future5:3610My Life3:3211A Million Lights4:3012Welcome to My Hood (remix)7:11 (2011), saw continued commercial success and brought Khaled to mainstream prominence by spawning his first Billboard Hot 100-top ten single, "I'm on One" (featuring Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne). His following three albums—Kiss the Ring×Kiss the Ring21 August 2012 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Shout Out to the Real4:132Bitches & Bottles (Let’s Get It Started)4:293I Wish You Would3:574Take It to the Head4:275They Ready3:146I’m So Blessed4:137Hip Hop4:238I Did It for My Dawgz4:259I Don’t See Em4:3410Don’t Pay 4 It4:1811Suicidal Thoughts3:1512Outro (They Don’t Want War)3:03 (2012), Suffering from Success×Suffering From Success22 October 2013 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Obama (Winning More interlude)0:442Suffering From Success3:303I Feel Like Pac / I Feel Like Biggie4:004You Don't Want These Problems4:365Blackball4:006No Motive2:457I'm Still4:538I Wanna Be With You4:139No New Friends5:0810Give It All to Me3:3411Hells Kitchen4:0712Never Surrender6:2613Murcielago (Doors Go Up)2:4514Black Ghost2:54 (2013), and I Changed a Lot×I Changed a Lot23 October 2015 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1I Don't Play About My Paper3:152I Ride3:373Gold Slugs4:194I Swear I Never Tell Another Soul3:425I Lied4:416How Many Times4:257You Mine4:008Every Time We Come Around3:369I Ain't Worried3:1610They Don't Love You No More4:1111My League3:4012Hold You Down4:5313Most High1:37 (2015)—were released to moderate critical and commercial reception. Throughout 2015 and 2016, Khaled gained wider recognition as a public figure due to his social media activity. This, along with several Internet memes, foresaw the release of his ninth studio album, Major Key×Major Key29 July 2016 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1I Got the Keys3:392For Free3:033Nas Album Done3:164Holy Key4:415Jermaine’s Interlude3:036Ima Be Alright4:067Do You Mind5:258Pick These Hoes Apart4:519Fuck Up the Club3:5110Work for It4:5011Don’t Ever Play Yourself5:3112Tourist4:3313Forgive Me Father4:0614Progress2:58 (2016), which was met with further critical and commercial success as it debuted atop the Billboard 200 and was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards.
His tenth album, Grateful×Grateful23 June 2017 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 22 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11(Intro) I'm So Grateful4:592Shining4:433Wild Thoughts3:244I'm the One4:495On Everything3:536It's Secured3:397Interlude (Hallelujah)0:528Nobody4:319I Love You So Much4:5010Don't Quit3:49Disc 21I Can't Even Lie4:022Down for Life5:003Major Bag Alert4:574Good Man3:395Billy Ocean3:116Pull a Caper4:077That Range Rover Came With Steps4:178Iced Out My Arms4:369Whatever5:0010Interlude2:1811Unchanging Love3:2712Asahd Talk (Thank You Asahd)0:16 (2017), became his second consecutive number-one album and was preceded by the singles "I'm the One" (featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne) and "Wild Thoughts" (featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller), which peaked at numbers one and two on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively. His eleventh album, Father of Asahd×Father of Asahd17 May 2019 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Holy Mountain4:552Wish Wish3:233Jealous4:154Just Us3:415You Stay4:356Celebrate3:267Higher2:578Won’t Take My Soul4:199Weather the Storm2:3310Big Boy Talk2:4611Freak N You3:0612Top Off3:5113No Brainer4:2014Thank You3:0915Holy Ground3:18 (2019), contained the song "Higher" (featuring Nipsey Hussle and John Legend), which won Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards—Khaled's first Grammy Award win. His eponymous twelfth album (2021) and thirteenth album, God Did×GOD DID26 August 2022 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks1NO SECRET0:472GOD DID8:223USE THIS GOSPEL (REMIX)3:444BIG TIME2:545KEEP GOING3:056PARTY3:317STAYING ALIVE2:588BEAUTIFUL3:439IT AIN’T SAFE2:5010LET’S PRAY2:3911FAM GOOD, WE GOOD3:0512BILLS PAID3:2913WAY PAST LUCK2:1714THESE STREETS KNOW MY NAME5:0015Juice WRLD DID3:2816JADAKISS INTERLUDE2:5217ASAHD AND AALAM CLOTH TALK0:2018GRATEFUL2:08 (2022), both debuted atop the Billboard 200. The latter's title track (featuring Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend and Fridayy) earned three nominations at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards: Song of the Year, Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance. Khaled is scheduled to release his fourteenth studio album, Aalam of God, in 2026.
Outside of music, Khaled has gained success as a writer, with his book The Keys featuring on the New York Times Best Seller list. He has also performed as an actor for the films Bad Boys for Life (2020) and its sequel Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024), and had a voice role in the animated film Spies in Disguise (2019). His record label, We the Best Music Group, has distributed his releases since its formation in 2008, though Khaled signed other artists to the imprint including Ace Hood, Kent Jones, Mavado, Flipp Dinero, and Vado, among others.

Early life

Khaled Mohammed Khaled was born on November 26, 1975, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Palestinian parents who immigrated to the United States. His father was from Al-Mazra'a ash-Sharqiya and his mother was from Ramallah. His brother, Alec Ledd (also known as Alaa Khaled), is an actor.
His parents were musicians and played Arabic music; Khaled started developing an interest in rap and soul music at a young age, and his parents supported his interest. He worked in a local Merry-Go-Round record store.

Career

During his early career, Khaled became acquainted with several young artists and helped them before their breakthrough; these include Birdman, Lil Wayne, and Mavado. One of his first jobs was at the New Orleans record store, Odyssey, where he met both Birdman and Lil Wayne in 1993. After leaving Odyssey, he began DJing in reggae sound clashes, mixing dancehall and hip-hop. His first radio gig was on a pirate station. In 1998, he moved to Miami and co-hosted The Luke Show on WEDR "99 Jamz" with 2 Live Crew's Luther Campbell. In 2003, he started hosting a weeknight radio show on 99 Jamz called The Takeover.
During his career, Khaled has used many monikers, including "Arab Attack", "Big Dog Pitbull", "Terror Squadian" (used during his time with the hip hop group Terror Squad), Beat Novacane (a moniker under which he produces beats), The Don Dada, Mr. Miami etc. Khaled explained that "Arab Attack" meant "attack with music"; he stopped using it after the September 11 attacks to avoid appearing insensitive.

2006–2008: Listennn... the Album, We the Best, and We Global

On June 6, 2006, his debut album, Listennn... the Album, was released by Koch Records; it premiered on the US Billboard 200 chart at number 12. We the Best (2007) was his second album, whose release was preceded with singles "I'm So Hood" (with T-Pain, Trick Daddy, Plies, and Rick Ross) and "We Takin' Over" (with Akon, T.I., Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Birdman, and Lil Wayne). "We Takin' Over" peaked at number 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 11 on the US Hot Rap Tracks chart and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on November 20, 2007. Khaled made a guest appearance on Birdman's 2007 album 5 * Stunna on the single "100 Million", which also features Rick Ross, Dre, Young Jeezy and Lil Wayne. That year, Khaled won two Ozone Awards: one for Best Video ("We Takin' Over") and another for Best Radio DJ.
In 2008, Khaled's third album, We Global×We Global16 September 2008 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Standing on the Mountain Top2:352Go Hard4:323Out Here Grindin’3:574Go Ahead4:035I’m On4:246Red Light4:217We Global3:228She’s Fine3:219Final Warning4:1610Fuck the Other Side3:4311Bullet4:0812Blood Money4:5513Defend Dade4:36, came out with singles "Out Here Grindin" (with Akon, Rick Ross, Lil' Boosie, Trick Daddy, Ace Hood, and Plies) followed by "Go Hard" (featuring Kanye West and T-Pain). RIAA certified the single "I'm So Hood" Platinum on June 4, 2008. That year, Khaled won DJ of the Year awards from the BET Hip Hop Awards and Ozone Awards. He was appointed the president of Def Jam South in February 2009. That same month, 50 Cent released a video titled "A Psychic Told Me" in which he spoke of harming Khaled's mother and showed alleged footage of her and her workplace. Following this, Khaled refused to comment, not wanting to give 50 Cent the publicity, simply stating: "I'm not gonna let him bait me".

2010–2012: Victory, We the Best Forever, and Kiss the Ring

His fourth studio album Victory×Victory2 March 2010 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Intro2:342All I Do Is Win3:473Put Your Hands Up5:124Fed Up4:115Victory3:136Ball3:487Rockin All My Chains On3:408Killing Me3:449Bringing Real Rap Back4:0410Bring the Money Out3:2011On My Way5:5012Rep My City3:38 was released on March 2, 2010. The album featured guest appearances from Drake, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Nas, Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, Nelly, and more. The single "All I Do Is Win" featuring Ludacris, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg, and T-Pain was certified as a double-platinum single. Other singles include: "Put Your Hands Up" featuring Ross, Young Jeezy, Plies, and Schife, and "Fed Up" featuring Usher, Drake, Ross, and Jeezy. The album had low sales and debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200. DJ Khaled announced the title of his next album, We the Best Forever×We the Best Forever19 July 2011 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1I’m on One4:562Welcome to My Hood4:103Money3:554I’m Thuggin4:175It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over3:146Legendary4:167Sleep When I’m Gone5:228Can’t Stop2:509Future5:3610My Life3:3211A Million Lights4:3012Welcome to My Hood (remix)7:11, on Twitter. On August 19, Khaled signed to Cash Money Records along to Universal Motown, the album will be released under the label, also under E1 Entertainment, Terror Squad, Def Jam South, and Khaled's own label We the Best Music Group, with confirmed guests as Fat Joe, Chris Brown, Keyshia Cole, Cee Lo Green, Cool & Dre, Rick Ross, Kanye West, Jay-Z, Nas, Birdman, Lil Wayne, T.I., Akon, Drake, and Nicki Minaj
The first single, "Welcome to My Hood", featuring Rick Ross, Plies, Lil Wayne and T-Pain was released on January 13, 2011; it was produced by the Renegades, and co-produced by DJ Khaled himself along with the Nasty Beatmakers. The song was his first release under Cash Money Records and Universal Motown Records, a music video was filmed in Miami, Florida, and directed by Gil Green, featuring cameos by Flo Rida, Bow Wow, Busta Rhymes, and other artists. The next single, "I'm on One", featuring Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne, was released on May 20, 2011. Khaled performed the song at BET Awards 2011, which aired on June 26, 2011. On December 10, 2011, DJ Khaled announced the title of his next album, Kiss the Ring×Kiss the Ring21 August 2012 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Shout Out to the Real4:132Bitches & Bottles (Let’s Get It Started)4:293I Wish You Would3:574Take It to the Head4:275They Ready3:146I’m So Blessed4:137Hip Hop4:238I Did It for My Dawgz4:259I Don’t See Em4:3410Don’t Pay 4 It4:1811Suicidal Thoughts3:1512Outro (They Don’t Want War)3:03, in an online video, with the release date as "coming soon" in 2012. Guests on the album include T-Pain, French Montana, Future, Wiz Khalifa, Nas, Plies, Ace Hood, Kanye West, Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Jadakiss, Kirko Bangz, Mack Maine, Tyga, T.I., J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Big K.R.I.T., Mavado, and Wale. Khaled mentioned that he had a verse from someone "very special", which was later revealed as Scarface. The first single released was "Take It to the Head", featuring Chris Brown, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne. The second single was "I Wish You Would", featuring Kanye West and Rick Ross. Kiss the Ring was released on August 21, 2012 and debuted at number four on the Billboard 200. The third single was "Bitches and Bottles" featuring T.I., Lil Wayne, and Future. In 2012, Khaled and other producers, including No I.D., worked with Kanye West on his sixth studio album Yeezus, although Khaled's contributions were ultimately omitted from the album.

2013–2015: Suffering from Success and I Changed a Lot

In January 2013, Khaled announced that he began work on his seventh album, Suffering from Success×Suffering From Success22 October 2013 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Obama (Winning More interlude)0:442Suffering From Success3:303I Feel Like Pac / I Feel Like Biggie4:004You Don't Want These Problems4:365Blackball4:006No Motive2:457I'm Still4:538I Wanna Be With You4:139No New Friends5:0810Give It All to Me3:3411Hells Kitchen4:0712Never Surrender6:2613Murcielago (Doors Go Up)2:4514Black Ghost2:54. After attending a doctor due to a bald spot on his beard, Khaled was told that he was "suffering from success", which inspired the album's title. The first single from the album, "No New Friends", features Drake, Lil Wayne and Rick Ross, and was produced by Canadian producers Boi-1da and Noah "40" Shebib. On April 14, 2013, Khaled released a promotional video for Suffering for Success, and the music video for the aforementioned single. The single was premiered the following day and released to iTunes of April 19, 2013. "No New Friends" has since debuted at #55 on the Billboard Hot 100. On June 10, 2013, it was announced that Suffering from Success would be released on September 24, 2013. On July 25, 2013, Khaled publicly "proposed" to fellow Cash Money artist Nicki Minaj via MTV. He supported his offer with a 10-karat diamond ring from Rafaello & Co., valued at about $500,000. Later, he reaffirmed his proposal in an interview with Power 106's DJ Felli Fel, stating: "I ain't a young boy no more. I'm on my thinking the future. I just had to be honest. I always liked her. She's my friend, of course. And I like her. It's more than a crush." On July 29, 2013, in an interview with Funkmaster Flex, Minaj denied Khaled's proposal, saying: "Khaled is my brother and Khaled was not serious with that damn proposal, y'all. Please let it go. He was kidding." The same day, Flex premiered Khaled's new single, "I Wanna Be with You", which featured Minaj, as well as frequent collaborators Future and Rick Ross. This lead some to believe that his proposal was a publicity stunt to promote his new single.
On April 28, 2014, DJ Khaled announced in an interview with MTV that Jay-Z would be featured on his new single. The interview was noted due to Khaled "cursing, gesturing, and tossing the microphone to the floor in an effort to convey the importance and impact of the music he has coming this summer." A few hours after that, he released the single called "They Don't Love You No More", also featuring frequent collaborators Rick Ross, Meek Mill and French Montana. The song was included on his eighth studio album, I Changed a Lot×I Changed a Lot23 October 2015 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1I Don't Play About My Paper3:152I Ride3:373Gold Slugs4:194I Swear I Never Tell Another Soul3:425I Lied4:416How Many Times4:257You Mine4:008Every Time We Come Around3:369I Ain't Worried3:1610They Don't Love You No More4:1111My League3:4012Hold You Down4:5313Most High1:37, which was released in 2015. The following day, "They Don't Love You No More" was serviced to mainstream urban radio in the United States.
On July 1, 2014, Khaled announced that he has partnered with Danish audio company Bang & Olufsen to launch his own brand of headphones, titled "We the Best Sound". The brand is advertised in the video "They Don't Love You No More." On August 8, 2014, Khaled released the official artwork for the second single from I Changed A Lot entitled "Hold You Down×Hold You Down11 August 2014 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Hold You Down4:53" which features Chris Brown, August Alsina, Future and Jeremih, and is produced by Bkorn, Lee on the Beats and LDB. The single was released on August 11, 2014, along with a music video, directed by Gil Green. On November 3, 2014, Khaled released the remix to "Hold You Down" featuring Usher, Rick Ross, Fabolous, and Ace Hood. On May 11, 2015, DJ Khaled revealed that he had amicably parted ways with Cash Money Records. "I'm not signed to Cash Money at all. I've been off for a minute," Khaled revealed. "It's not that I'm here to promote that I've been off. That's family. But, nah, it's just We The Best. Nothing negative, everything's beautiful." On the same day, DJ Khaled released the third single off the album I Changed a Lot titled "How Many Times", featuring Chris Brown, Lil Wayne and Big Sean produced Bkorn, Lee on the Beats and OZ. DJ Khaled revealed that his long-delayed album, I Changed A Lot, would be released on October 23, 2015, and also revealed the album's artwork.

2016–2019: Major Key, Grateful and Father of Asahd

On February 5, 2016, DJ Khaled premiered the debut his new We The Best Radio show on Beats 1 with the premiere of Future's fourth studio album EVOL. On February 14, 2016, DJ Khaled announced that he would debut French Montana's new mixtape on We The Best×We the Best12 June 2007 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Intro (We the Best)1:582The Movement Skit0:233We Takin’ Over4:234Brown Paper Bag4:585I’m So Hood4:156Before the Solution4:297I’m From the Ghetto5:078Hit Them Up3:209“S” on My Chest4:1110Bitch I’m From Dade County5:4711The Originators6:1912New York5:55 Radio. The Wave Gods titled mixtape premiered on February 19, 2016. On February 29, 2016, Khaled signed a management-only deal with Jay Z's company, Roc Nation and announced his ninth studio album, Major Key×Major Key29 July 2016 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1I Got the Keys3:392For Free3:033Nas Album Done3:164Holy Key4:415Jermaine’s Interlude3:036Ima Be Alright4:067Do You Mind5:258Pick These Hoes Apart4:519Fuck Up the Club3:5110Work for It4:5011Don’t Ever Play Yourself5:3112Tourist4:3313Forgive Me Father4:0614Progress2:58, was going to be released in 2016, specifically on July 29, and has a lion on the cover. On June 3, 2016, Khaled released the first single off Major Key, "For Free", which was produced by the OVO team of Nineteen85 and Jordan Ullman. He announced his album would feature Jay Z, Future, Kanye West, Big Sean, Lil Wayne, and Rick Ross. He later released a track called "I Got the Keys×I Got the Keys4 July 2016 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1I Got the Keys3:39" with Jay Z and Future, that premiered after the 2016 BET Awards. In late 2015 to early 2016, a number of Snapchat videos of Khaled's detailing his "key to success" received significant attention on the internet due to his larger-than-life persona. This newfound online recognition caused him to gain popularity; becoming an "internet phenomenon", with some now describing him as a "living meme" or "meme in human form". In October 2016, he appeared in advertising for the alcoholic beverage Cîroc Mango and starred in "Let's Get It: Khaled's Odyssey", an episode of Let's Get It.
On December 24, 2016, Khaled announced on Twitter that he was working on his tenth studio album. In January 2017, he was seen in the studio on his Snapchat with potential collaborators, such as Chance the Rapper, Justin Bieber, Migos and Mariah Carey. On February 9, DJ Khaled announced his tenth studio album would be titled Grateful×Grateful23 June 2017 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 22 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11(Intro) I'm So Grateful4:592Shining4:433Wild Thoughts3:244I'm the One4:495On Everything3:536It's Secured3:397Interlude (Hallelujah)0:528Nobody4:319I Love You So Much4:5010Don't Quit3:49Disc 21I Can't Even Lie4:022Down for Life5:003Major Bag Alert4:574Good Man3:395Billy Ocean3:116Pull a Caper4:077That Range Rover Came With Steps4:178Iced Out My Arms4:369Whatever5:0010Interlude2:1811Unchanging Love3:2712Asahd Talk (Thank You Asahd)0:16 and said that it was going to be released in June. On February 12, DJ Khaled released "Shining", the lead single of Grateful which features Beyoncé and Jay-Z. He had a cameo appearance in promotional material for Spider-Man: Homecoming, and later appeared as a fictionalized version of himself in Pitch Perfect 3 (2017), in which his character is featured as both a performer and a major plot point. Also that year, he announced he would join Demi Lovato as the opening act for their Tell Me You Love Me Tour.
On March 1, 2018, Khaled announced his eleventh studio album would be titled Father of Asahd×Father of Asahd17 May 2019 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Holy Mountain4:552Wish Wish3:233Jealous4:154Just Us3:415You Stay4:356Celebrate3:267Higher2:578Won’t Take My Soul4:199Weather the Storm2:3310Big Boy Talk2:4611Freak N You3:0612Top Off3:5113No Brainer4:2014Thank You3:0915Holy Ground3:18, titled after his older son Asahd. The album's lead single, "Top Off", featuring Beyoncé, Jay-Z and Future, was released the following day, on March 2. On July 23, Khaled announced the next single, titled "No Brainer", featuring Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper and Quavo, which was released on July 27. On March 5, 2019, Khaled announced that the album would be released in May 2019. It was released on May 17, 2019. He released several music videos for the album's singles on that day through May 20, including one for "Higher", featuring late rapper Nipsey Hussle and John Legend, a track which also garnered Khaled his first Grammy Award.

2020–present: Khaled Khaled, God Did and Aalam of God

On July 17, 2020, Khaled released two singles simultaneously, titled "Popstar" and "Greece", both featuring Canadian rapper Drake. Two days prior, on July 15, Khaled announced his twelfth studio album would be titled Khaled Khaled, after his legal name. The announcement was accompanied with a video trailer documenting his life and career, including the birth of his sons Asahd and Aalam, who both would executive produce the album, and winning his first Grammy Award. In March 2021, Khaled collaborated with Dolce & Gabbana on a collection of ready-to-wear and beachwear pieces. On April 30, 2021, Khaled released his 12th studio album, Khaled Khaled. The title of the album is taken from Khaled's real name, Khaled Khaled. Allah is, as well as Khaled's two sons, credited as an executive producer due to the Khaled family's religious beliefs and spirituality in Islam. The album included 14 tracks and song features with the likes of Nas, Beyoncé and Jeremih. Two days after the release of the album, Khaled revealed an updated track listing that added the track "Big Paper", which features American rapper Cardi B, which was not on the previous track listing.
On July 6, 2022, he announced the title of his upcoming 13th studio album, God Did×GOD DID26 August 2022 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks1NO SECRET0:472GOD DID8:223USE THIS GOSPEL (REMIX)3:444BIG TIME2:545KEEP GOING3:056PARTY3:317STAYING ALIVE2:588BEAUTIFUL3:439IT AIN’T SAFE2:5010LET’S PRAY2:3911FAM GOOD, WE GOOD3:0512BILLS PAID3:2913WAY PAST LUCK2:1714THESE STREETS KNOW MY NAME5:0015Juice WRLD DID3:2816JADAKISS INTERLUDE2:5217ASAHD AND AALAM CLOTH TALK0:2018GRATEFUL2:08, and released the album on August 26, 2022.
On August 10, 2023, DJ Khaled announced via Instagram that he will release his upcoming fourteenth studio album Til Next Time, promoted by its lead single, "Supposed to Be Loved", which features rappers Future, Lil Baby and Lil Uzi Vert. The title of the album was later changed to Aalam of God.

Rick Ross

Rick Ross has been described as one of Khaled's "longest-running collaborators". With reference to Khaled, Ross has stated: "He knows what's going to get me excited… He'll run in the room yelling, 'I got some shit, Rozay!' — and nine times out of 10, when he's that excited, it's something that's going to end up feeling good. That's always been the dynamic, since "I'm So Hood," and the list goes on." On their relationship, Khaled states: "Ross is my brother," he said. "That's Day 1. That's family. Me and him come from the bottom, the mud, to marble floors. When he's shouting me out on that record, that's what you call a real friend, family. [He] loves me and I love him back. Me and him are forever. Music or no music. It's Khaled and Ross forever."
In 2006, Khaled produced the song "I'm a G" (featuring Lil Wayne and Brisco) on Ross's debut, Port of Miami. The same year, Ross made guest performances on two singles from Khaled's debut Listennn... the Album: "Born-N-Raised" and "Holla at Me". In 2007, Ross featured on the hit single "I'm So Hood" as part of Khaled's second album, We the Best×We the Best12 June 2007 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Intro (We the Best)1:582The Movement Skit0:233We Takin’ Over4:234Brown Paper Bag4:585I’m So Hood4:156Before the Solution4:297I’m From the Ghetto5:078Hit Them Up3:209“S” on My Chest4:1110Bitch I’m From Dade County5:4711The Originators6:1912New York5:55. Ross also contributed vocals to "We Takin' Over", a song on the same album, which peaked at number 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 11 on the US Hot Rap Tracks chart and was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on November 20, 2007. The same year, both Ross and Khaled made a guest appearance on the single "100 Million" as part of Birdman's 2007 album 5 * Stunna. In 2008, Ross featured on the single "Out Here Grindin" as part of Khaled's third album, We Global×We Global16 September 2008 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1Standing on the Mountain Top2:352Go Hard4:323Out Here Grindin’3:574Go Ahead4:035I’m On4:246Red Light4:217We Global3:228She’s Fine3:219Final Warning4:1610Fuck the Other Side3:4311Bullet4:0812Blood Money4:5513Defend Dade4:36. In 2010, Ross featured on the hit single "All I Do Is Win", part of Khaled's fourth album Victory×Victory2 March 2010 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Intro2:342All I Do Is Win3:473Put Your Hands Up5:124Fed Up4:115Victory3:136Ball3:487Rockin All My Chains On3:408Killing Me3:449Bringing Real Rap Back4:0410Bring the Money Out3:2011On My Way5:5012Rep My City3:38. The track became triple platinum-certified. In 2011, Ross featured on what became a Billboard Hot 100 top ten single, "I'm on One", as part of Khaled's fifth studio album, We the Best Forever×We the Best Forever19 July 2011 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1I’m on One4:562Welcome to My Hood4:103Money3:554I’m Thuggin4:175It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over3:146Legendary4:167Sleep When I’m Gone5:228Can’t Stop2:509Future5:3610My Life3:3211A Million Lights4:3012Welcome to My Hood (remix)7:11. Ross also featured on the song "Welcome to My Hood" in the same album. In 2012, Ross featured on two singles from Khaled's sixth album, Kiss the Ring×Kiss the Ring21 August 2012 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 12 tracks1Shout Out to the Real4:132Bitches & Bottles (Let’s Get It Started)4:293I Wish You Would3:574Take It to the Head4:275They Ready3:146I’m So Blessed4:137Hip Hop4:238I Did It for My Dawgz4:259I Don’t See Em4:3410Don’t Pay 4 It4:1811Suicidal Thoughts3:1512Outro (They Don’t Want War)3:03: "Take It to the Head" and "I Wish You Would".
In early 2013, Ross featured on the single "No New Friends" as part of Khaled's seventh album, Suffering from Success×Suffering From Success22 October 2013 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1Obama (Winning More interlude)0:442Suffering From Success3:303I Feel Like Pac / I Feel Like Biggie4:004You Don't Want These Problems4:365Blackball4:006No Motive2:457I'm Still4:538I Wanna Be With You4:139No New Friends5:0810Give It All to Me3:3411Hells Kitchen4:0712Never Surrender6:2613Murcielago (Doors Go Up)2:4514Black Ghost2:54. On 16 May 2013, Birdman and Ross announced that their collaborative album The H would be released as a mixtape hosted by Khaled on May 23, 2013. In April 2014, Ross featured on the song "They Don't Love You No More", the first single from Khaled's eighth studio album I Changed a Lot×I Changed a Lot23 October 2015 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 13 tracks1I Don't Play About My Paper3:152I Ride3:373Gold Slugs4:194I Swear I Never Tell Another Soul3:425I Lied4:416How Many Times4:257You Mine4:008Every Time We Come Around3:369I Ain't Worried3:1610They Don't Love You No More4:1111My League3:4012Hold You Down4:5313Most High1:37. In August 2014, both Khaled and Ross featured on "Don't Shoot", a single by American rapper the Game. In November 2014, Ross also featured on the remix to "Hold You Down×Hold You Down11 August 2014 · SingleSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 1 track1Hold You Down4:53". In 2016, Ross featured on two songs from Khaled's ninth studio album, Major Key×Major Key29 July 2016 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 14 tracks1I Got the Keys3:392For Free3:033Nas Album Done3:164Holy Key4:415Jermaine’s Interlude3:036Ima Be Alright4:067Do You Mind5:258Pick These Hoes Apart4:519Fuck Up the Club3:5110Work for It4:5011Don’t Ever Play Yourself5:3112Tourist4:3313Forgive Me Father4:0614Progress2:58: the single "Do You Mind" and the track "Fuck Up the Club". In 2017, Ross featured on three tracks from Khaled's tenth studio album, Grateful×Grateful23 June 2017 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 22 tracks · 2 discsDisc 11(Intro) I'm So Grateful4:592Shining4:433Wild Thoughts3:244I'm the One4:495On Everything3:536It's Secured3:397Interlude (Hallelujah)0:528Nobody4:319I Love You So Much4:5010Don't Quit3:49Disc 21I Can't Even Lie4:022Down for Life5:003Major Bag Alert4:574Good Man3:395Billy Ocean3:116Pull a Caper4:077That Range Rover Came With Steps4:178Iced Out My Arms4:369Whatever5:0010Interlude2:1811Unchanging Love3:2712Asahd Talk (Thank You Asahd)0:16: "On Everything", "Down for Life" and "Whatever".
In 2019, Ross featured on one track from Khaled's eleventh studio album, Father of Asahd×Father of Asahd17 May 2019 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 15 tracks1Holy Mountain4:552Wish Wish3:233Jealous4:154Just Us3:415You Stay4:356Celebrate3:267Higher2:578Won’t Take My Soul4:199Weather the Storm2:3310Big Boy Talk2:4611Freak N You3:0612Top Off3:5113No Brainer4:2014Thank You3:0915Holy Ground3:18: "Big Boy Talk". In 2021, Ross featured on one song from Khaled's twelfth studio album, Khaled Khaled: "This Is My Year". In 2022, Ross rapped the first verse of the title track of Khaled's thirteenth album, God Did×GOD DID26 August 2022 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 18 tracks1NO SECRET0:472GOD DID8:223USE THIS GOSPEL (REMIX)3:444BIG TIME2:545KEEP GOING3:056PARTY3:317STAYING ALIVE2:588BEAUTIFUL3:439IT AIN’T SAFE2:5010LET’S PRAY2:3911FAM GOOD, WE GOOD3:0512BILLS PAID3:2913WAY PAST LUCK2:1714THESE STREETS KNOW MY NAME5:0015Juice WRLD DID3:2816JADAKISS INTERLUDE2:5217ASAHD AND AALAM CLOTH TALK0:2018GRATEFUL2:08. The song earned three nominations at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards: Song of the Year, Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance. The same year, Ross and Khaled both featured on the GQ Hype Debate Show, debating the greatest snack of all time. Ross was a proponent of his own Rap Snacks whereas Khaled endorsed Cinnamon Toast Crunch. In 2023, Khaled produced the song "Above the Law" from Rick Ross' thirteenth album, Too Good to Be True.

Drake

The relationship between Drake and Khaled has been described as "uniquely fruitful". On the song "Make Them Pay" from the 2026 Iceman album, Drake criticizes Khaled for not speaking out on the Israel-Palestine war.

Lil Wayne

Lil Wayne has stated: "DJ Khaled is one of one… He's produced so many memorable tracks. There's no one like him."

Public image

Jeff Ihaza of the Rolling Stone has described Khaled thus: "Khaled wears a pristinely lined haircut. His beard follows sharp angles that enforce a perfect symmetry along his face. When he's trying to muster up the right word, either for clarity or comedic timing, his eyes carry a piercing seriousness, like an athlete laser-focused on a play. But he's largely instinctive in his delivery — in plucking whatever he's trying to convey from his brain and placing it into yours." He has also been described as "a natural in front of the camera". Khaled is known for his social media presence; he states: "I don't do too many interviews… cause I've got my own interview: I say what I want to say anytime I want."

Personal life

Khaled and his wife Nicole Tuck have a son, Asahd Tuck Khaled, born on October 23, 2016. On January 20, 2020, Tuck gave birth to their second son, Aalam Tuck Khaled.
In January 2017, Khaled purchased Robbie Williams' former house in Mulholland Estates, a gated community in Los Angeles, California. In 2018, Khaled purchased a waterfront home in Miami for $25.9 million. The mansion is larger than 12,000 square-feet and has been dubbed as "the Resort" by Khaled. Khaled owns several cars, including a Maybach which is one of 150 special-edition models custom-designed by Virgil Abloh. Khaled has named this vehicle the "Cappuccino". Khaled reportedly had a fear of flying for nearly 10 years after experiencing an unpleasant flight on a small aircraft. However, he overcame his fear in 2017 and, by 2021, purchased a $56 million Bombardier Global 6500.
In 2014, Khaled described himself as a devout Muslim. In December 2022, he visited Mecca with Mike Tyson to participate in the Umrah pilgrimage.

Film

Khaled provided a voice in the animated film Spies in Disguise, which was released on December 25, 2019. He also appeared in Bad Boys for Life and Bad Boys: Ride or Die.

Literature

In 2016, his book, The Keys: A memoir, written with Mary H.K. Choi, including his opinions on success, life stories, and stories about contributions from other musicians, became a New York Times bestseller.

Furniture

Inspired by his own home and lifestyle, he designed a new luxury furniture line "We the Best Home" and launched it in August 2018.

Golfing

Khaled is known for his love of golf, paired with his catchphrase: "Let's go golfing!" He has appeared on the cover of Golf Digest and is a frequenter of the Miami Beach Golf Club. Khaled's We the Best Foundation hosted its inaugural golf tournament in 2023, raising thousands for organisations which aid youth in Miami. Sean Combs alone reportedly donated $150,000 to the cause.

2018 SEC settlement

In November 2018, together with Floyd Mayweather Jr., Khaled agreed to a total settlement of $750,000 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for failing to disclose payments accepted from issuers of an initial coin offering, specifying a personal $50,000 promotional payment from beleaguered cryptocurrency firm Centra Tech Inc., whose co-founders were indicted for fraud in May 2018. According to the SEC, "they are its first cases involving charges for violating rules on touting investments in so-called initial coin offerings, or ICOs." As part of the settlement, Khaled agreed to not enter any endorsement or promotional agreement with a securities participant for two years.