DJ Khaled

Mogul, entrepreneur, DJ, producer, “the hip-hop Quincy Jones”—DJ Khaled has no shortage of ways to describe himself. And he has consistently demonstrated his knack for connecting the right superstar talent with the right tracks, matching his ambition with equal amounts of hustle, swagger and exuberance. Born Khaled Mohamed Khaled to Palestinian immigrant parents in New Orleans in 1975, Khaled started out as a radio DJ in Miami before forging fortuitous early connections with the hip-hop scene and releasing a string of guest-packed albums beginning in 2006. But while those early efforts gained him growing respect in the rap world, it was 2016’s Major Key that made him a force on the pop charts. The following year’s Grateful hit even bigger, pairing the likes of Beyoncé and JAY-Z; Rihanna and Bryson Tiller; and Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne. Yet, Khaled is more than just a savvy matchmaker who revels in laidback vibes, a luxury lifestyle and siren-like announcements of intent. He is capable of surprising range, including more hard-hitting club joints along the way. He has also made sure to pay his dues to his faith, naming his 2022 album GOD DID while pulling off mind-boggling feats like pairing Eminem and Kanye West on a track produced by Dr. Dre. “Some of these things that came in, it’s a gift,” he tells Apple Music. “It’s a gift from God, and the gods.” And Khaled continues to do the very best work with those gifts.