DJ Khaled Biography

DJ Khaled is an American DJ, music producer, and label CEO. He is one of the main contributors in rap music’s evolution.

Early Life

Khaled Mohamed Khaled was born New Orleans, Louisiana on November 26, 1975, to Palestinian immigrant parents. Musicians themselves, they supported their son in pursuing a career in music. Passionate about rap and soul music, Khaled started working at the local recording store.

Career Beginnings and Success

Since the beginning, Khaled built relationships with new artists and would support them. He soon started DJing reggae, dancehall with hip-hop and hosted various radio shows. Listennn… the Album, his first album was released in 2006 by Koch Records entering in Billboard 200. In 2007, the single collab We Takin’ Over featuring rappers like Rick Ross and Lil’ Wayne, was certified gold by RIAA. I’m So Hood from the 2008 album We Global was certified platinum. The following year he was made CEO of the Def Jam South record label.

Collaborations

The next album Victory released 2010, generated the 2x certified platinum single All I Do Is Win featuring Ludacris, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg, and T-Pain. We the Best Forever album followed in 2011 with numerous new and old collaborations. The same was the case with Kiss the Ring released the next year. After 2 more albums Suffering from Success (2013) and I Changed a Lot (2015) he launched a new radio show, titled, We the Best in 2016. Major Key was released the same year being certified gold and nominated for Best Rap Album at the Grammys. In early 2017 he released a single called Shining featured by Beyoncé and Jay-Z. This was the lead single from Khaled’s upcoming album Grateful.

Photo credit: Billboard