Today, Grammy-winning, worldwide megastar DJ Khaled announced an exclusive agreement with Def Jam Recordings for his We The Best label endeavor, as well as his future releases as a multi-platinum recording artist, during a press conference in his hometown of Miami.
Khaled, who has amassed global sales of over 20 million singles and 6 million albums in addition to 4 billion-plus streams in his celebrated career as an artist, producer, DJ, and curator, will also join the Universal Music Group in an executive role, serving as Global Creative Consultant to Def Jam and UMG’s family of artists worldwide.
This momentous revelation marks a homecoming for DJ Khaled, who joined the label as an executive A&R in 2008, generating successes for key performers like as Rick Ross and others.
“This new phase represents a particular time for me,” DJ Khaled says. The enthusiasm in my profession is at an all-time high at this point, and I’m thankful to Sir Lucian Grainge for allowing me to join his empire at this juncture in my path. We will reach even higher heights and take it to the next level if we work together. With newfound vitality, I feel grateful and inspired. I’m pleased not just to collaborate, but also to return to Def Jam.
Tunji Balogun is not just an exceptional A&R executive, but also a real music-man and visionary who is always responsible for exposing the world to some of its next biggest superstars. I’m eager to work with my sister and visionary executive LaTrice Burnette again, as we’ve had incredible success on every project we’ve worked on together in the past. Def Jam is the culture, and together we shall once again make history.”
“DJ Khaled is a tremendous musician, hitmaker, mentor, and cultural pioneer,” stated Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of UMG. It brings me great pleasure to welcome him back to UMG, where we look forward to collaborating to further his remarkable creative instincts and distinct vision.”
“Beyond being a proven hitmaker, amazing producer, unmistakable artist, and consummate showman, DJ Khaled inhabits the rare air of cultural icon,” Def Jam Recordings Chairman and CEO Tunji Balogun remarked. “His extraordinary ability to continually have his finger on the pulse of the culture, to reach audiences all over the world in novel yet authentic ways, and his remarkable knack for marketing, promoting and eventizing anything he touches is absolutely second to none. As a multi-platinum, award-winning performer and recognized executive, we are excited to collaborate with DJ Khaled and We The Best. Without a doubt, Khaled can only help us improve.”
“For over a decade, DJ Khaled has been a good friend and close colleague of mine,” stated LaTrice Burnette, Executive Vice President, Def Jam Recordings/President, 4th & Broadway. “Throughout our years together at Epic, Khaled and I formed a particular working relationship and smashed obstacles via a common goal, dedicated cooperation and hard effort. I like Khaled’s talent, originality, work ethic, marketing expertise, and unlimited positive energy. I’m pleased to have him back at Def Jam, and I can’t wait to see what we come up with next.”
DJ Khaled was joined by an all-star cast last week at the 65th Annual Grammys Awards, including longtime friend, collaborator, and manager JAY-Z, rap superstars Rick Ross and Lil Wayne, and new Def Jam label-mate Fridayy, for a showstopping performance of his ‘Song Of The Year’ nominated smash “GOD DID” – one of his six nominations for the night and ten Grammy nominations overall. Throughout his remarkable career, Khaled has been nominated for 15 BET Awards, an incredible 56 BET Hip-Hop Awards, 15 MTV Video Music Awards, and numerous more awards and recognitions throughout the world.
DJ Khaled’s thirteenth full-length studio album, GOD DID, is the title tune. It marks his fourth career #1 debut on the Billboard Top 200 and his fifth consecutive #1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart. The album was released with an unprecedented amount of music videos, interviews, and cultural commentary, and it charted at number ten on the Billboard Hot 100.
Along with the news of his new label home at Def Jam today, Khaled used the occasion to inform the media and fans on other significant changes in his life.
Khaled has teamed up with Jordan once more for one of the year’s most anticipated shoe releases: the WE THE BEST AIR JORDAN V. The cooperation, which was introduced to the market through an immersive, original, and innovative campaign on par with both companies’ respective reputations, extends a thirteen-year connection that began in 2010. DJ Khaled, a proud member of the Jordan family of athletes, artists, and other partners, embodies the brand’s spirit: dedication to greatness, commitment to perfection, a passion for the culture, and a desire to make a difference in the society. Khaled gladly offers “another one” with this sneaker as one of Jordan’s most enthusiastic and vocal fans.It comes after a tremendous drop on Cyber Monday, culminating in the largest collab launch in Jordan brand history. Khaled is happy to be among the standard bearers of this good message as the firm focuses on “Self-Belief” for 2023. DJ Khaled’s We The Best Foundation will continue to work with the Jordan Brand Black Community Commitment, which has invested nearly seventeen million dollars in over seventy-five nonprofits over the last two years, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Ida B Wells Society for Investigative Reporting, and the Legal Defense Fund.
In keeping with Khaled’s philanthropic spirit and commitment, the We The Best Foundation – a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to uplifting individuals in underserved communities across the United States and supporting various non-profits – announces its inaugural scholarship program this year, in collaboration with Roc Nation.
Felisha Agenor has been granted the scholarship for 2023. Since elementary school, the high school senior has been a member of the Overtown Youth Center. Friends and instructors call her “The Achiever,” and she lives up to the title with a 4.2 GPA and active engagement in seven groups and sports, including Student Government Association, National Honors Society, Volleyball, and Softball, to mention a few. She also works with OYC as a Youth Worker at another nearby elementary school.
DJ Khaled also announced today a collaboration with streetwear store Snipes for a Miami location. Snipes’ Chief Creative Officer, Khaled, has collaborated with the premier sneaker and streetwear shop to provide an unique and engaging retail experience to Miami. The We The Best Snipesstore, which will open its doors in the center of Collins Avenue, will be a real depiction of South Florida’s sneaker and streetwear culture. This concept store will provide a one-of-a-kind shopping experience by featuring the most recent SNIPES clothes as well as special co-branded products. A live DJ, a sound booth for up-and-coming performers, and a presentation of the newest items from local Miami fashion designers will keep visitors delighted. The We The Best Snipes concept shop will open soon.
In other hometown news, DJ Khaled was awarded both the key to the City of Miami and the key to Miami Beach for his continued community service. By proclamation, February 9th is officially designated as “WE THE BEST” day in Miami, and November 26th as “KHALED KHALED” day in Miami Beach.
