DJ Khaled is all the proof you need to understand that hard work, and consistent positive affirmations can translate to real-world success. The We The Best mogul’s motivational ramblings on social media, despite being cringe-worthy is contagious. It’s no surprise the New Orleans native, as a result of it has enjoyed immeasurable success that transcends the shores of rap,
Before the father of Asahd became hip hop’s version of Calvin Harris, he was largely responsible for some of rap’s biggest summer anthems. Regardless of how you feel about him at this moment, there’s no denying Khaled, whose real name is Khaled Mohammed Khaled served us, endless slappers. From “I’m On One”| to “I’m The One,” here are 28 of his most popular songs, ranked.
30. ”Jermaine’s Interlude” Feat. J. Cole
Album: Major Key
Producer: Hollywood JB
Release Year: 2016
Mr. Platinum with no features once again went solo on “Jermaine’s Interlude.” The popular belief is Cole makes bedtime music due to his usually reclusive demeanor and often laidback flow. However, on Jermaine’s Interlude, Cole rapped with the necessary aggression needed to voice his disdain about labels wanting rappers to trade their innate values for money.
“Tables do turn and labels do burn
The second they ask you to sell your soul
Don’t you do it, don’t you fold
Say “Fuck that shit” and be bold
Cause all them stories you told
On records worth more than gold”
“Jermaine’s Interlude” was clearly not made for radio which makes the Forest Hill’s rapper the right fit.
29. “I Wish You Would” Feat. Kanye West & Rick Ross
Album: Kiss The Ring
Producer: Hit-Boy
Release Year: 2012
“I Wish You Would” is the second single off Khaled’s ‘Kiss The Ring’ and it features both Kanye West and Rick Ross. The two rappers rise above the hate and send death threats to their opps on the Hit-Boy-produced banger. Not really a summer smash but certainly one for the fake gangsters to get hype too.
28. “B-Boyz” Feat. Birdman, Ace Hood, Kendrick Lamar & Mack Maine
Album: Kiss The Ring
Producer: The Olympicks
Release Year: 2012
Originally released by Birdman for his “Billionaire Minds” mixtape with Mack Maine, but was later revamped with a different intro and outro for Khaled’s ‘kiss The Ring’ deluxe edition. The song appears on a Khaled album so we acknowledge it as a Khaled record. Kendrick Lamar on a song with part-time rappers was always going to bring out one winner. No disrespect to Ace Hood.
27. ”For Free” Feat. Drake
Album: Major Key
Producer: Ninteen85
Release Year: 2016
Since bursting into the scene, the 6 god has been a mainstay on every DJ Khaled album. Either supplying some of his trademark catchy hooks or in this case, delivering a raunchy solo verse about charging girls for sex. “For Free” samples Too $hort’s “Blow The Whistle” as well as Akinyele’s “Fuck Me For Free.”
26. “They Ready” Feat. J. Cole, Big K.R.I.T. & Kendrick Lamar
Album: Kiss The Ring
Producer: J. Cole, Canei Finch
Release Year: 2012
Three exciting Hip-Hop prospects at the time. Big K.R.I.T., since then has struggled to keep up with the pace of Cole and Kendrick Lamar who hadn’t dropped “Good kid Mad City” then. The song’s biggest talking point was when K.R.I.T ended his verse with, “This that new KRIT shit, that Cole shit, them country niggas,” and Kendrick swooped in with “Hol’ up, but don’t forget about Compton nigga.”
What will the response be like if this track dropped today?
25. “Sorry Not Sorry” Feat. Nas And Jay-Z
Album: Khaled Khaled
Producers: DJ Khaled, StreetRunner, Tarik Azzouz
Release Year: 2021
“Sorry Not Sorry” depicts how much DJ Khaled has grown in the industry. He’s playing in the big leagues and is unapologetic about it. To help him deliver his message, Khaled enlisted two of hip hops biggest names: Nas and Jay, who both bluster about their luxuries and success. The StreetRunner-produced song, which samples Jay-Z’s 2002 hit “Song Cry,” also features vocals from James Fauntleroy and Beyoncé (under the alias Harmonies by The Hive.)
24. “Every Chance I Get” Feat. Lil Baby And Lil Durk
Album: Khaled Khaled
Producers: DJ Khaled, Tay Keith
Release Year: 2021
If you’re hot, DJ Khaled is going to bag you for one of his albums (pause). Baby and Durk sound off on their haters in one of the standout tracks from Khaled’s twelfth studio album. The voice of the heroes takes turns rapping about street life, women, and their success.
23. “No New Friends” Feat. Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne
Album: Suffering From Success
Producer: Boi-1da, Noah “40” Shebib, Vinylz, Alen Ritter
Release Year: 2013
The now interesting thing about this song and the video that followed it is, half the artists featured in the clip can’t stand each other and have moved on to new friends. The fucking irony. Khaled tried to re-create his I’m On One magic using the same formula but he just falls a little short. The song peaked at No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Major disappointment about the YMCMB, We The Best break up is, no more Birdman hand rubs in Khaled videos. Bummer!
22. “I Did It For My Dawgz” Feat. Rick Ross, Meek Mill, French Montana & Jadakiss
Album: Kiss The Ring
Producer: The Beat Bullies
Release Year: 2012
“I Did It For My Dawgz” once again finds DJ Khaled catering to the streets. The collaboration produced two decent street verses from Rick Ross and Meek Mill but Jadakiss was clearly the star of this show, “Yo, watch who you drinking with/Watch who you smoking with/1.7 in my safe/when I open it /If I put 7 in ya face, will I open it/And I know tomorrow ain’t promised but I hope it is”
Proof that DJ Khaled’s initial allegiance was with the streets rather than the pop world.
21. “God Did” Feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend, Fridayy
God Did is one of the stand-out cuts from DJ Khaled’s thirteenth album of the same name. The song features Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, John Legend, Fridayy, and a much hyped-verse from Jay-Z.
On the song, the artists reflect on their hustling days, and how they were able to beat the odds despite the obstacles they faced. Though Ross and Wayne contributed solid sixteens, Jay-Z’s lengthy 4-minute verse is the highlight of the track. The Marcy Projects legend details his past life as a drug dealer and analyzes the current state of his career.
I turned the cocaína into champagne, huh I cleaned up la madrina with the same soap, huh/Me and Loro talk 'bout how we slang dope, huh/Now the weed in stores, can you believe this, Ty? I put my hustle onto Forbes, can you believe this guy?
Jay’s verse on the track has been publicly touted as one of the best verses of his career so far. You can read more about it here.
20. “Take It To The Head” Feat. Chris Brown, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj & Lil Wayne
Album: Kiss The Ring
Producer: The Runners
Release Year: 2012
“Take It To The Head” was the end of Khaled’s traditional hood anthems and the beginning of this new combination of artists we see today on his LPs. The single was somewhat disappointing and even Chris Brown’s ear-filling hook couldn’t save it.
This was Nicki Minaj’s first-ever appearance on a DJ Khaled track.
19. “Welcome To My Hood” Feat. Rick Ross, Plies, Lil Wayne & T-Pain
Album: We The Best Forever
Producer: The Renegades, DJ Khaled, DJ Nasty
Release Year: 2011
We need a T-Pain revival by Khaled forreal. Their chemistry was just beautiful to watch.
(Editor’s side piece) Did DJ Khaled’s hood anthems get curved for more party and audience-friendly records or does he just miss someone who can deliver them with T-Pain’s level of intensity?
It’s no secret Khaled has struggled to fill the void the Nappy Boy rapper left. He even tried to replace him with Future, and most recently Travis Scott but they all sound dud. Do you think Desiigner could do a decent job? Maybe not. [Desiigner was trendy when this article was originally written].
“Welcome To My Hood” is pretty much rappers celebrating black culture and hood trends.
18. “Go Hard (Remix)” Feat. Kanye West & Jay-Z
Album: N/A
Producer: The Runners
Release Year: 2008
Jay-Z loved the “Go Hard” beat so much that he had to jump on the unofficial remix. The solo Kanye west version was great.. in fact, I think he killed it, but we can never say no to a new Hov verse. T-Pain once again showed why he’s regarded as the best hook master since Nate Dogg. RIP
17. “Victory” Feat. Nas & John Legend
Album: Victory
Producer: The Inkredibles, DJ Khaled
Release Year: 2010
The way this song begins still gives me goosebumps. Nas shares some words of wisdom for the go-getters, “For my hustlers, here’s some motivation/He who has begun is half done, why you waiting?” — with John Legend supplying the resonating sounds of victory.
16. ”Holy Key” Feat. Big Sean, Kendrick Lamar & Betty Wright
Album: Major Key
Producer: DJ Khaled, Edsclusive, Cool & Dre
Release Year: 2016
“Holy key” was a perfect opportunity for Big Sean to get his “Control” moment and he took it. “I hear a little bit of me in all your favorite rappers/You know it’s true, bitch I need respect due.”
Despite that line, the song is mainly a positive one that touches on police brutality in America. Betty Wright’s contribution to the record was a thunderous chorus.
15. ”Fed Up” Feat. Jeezy, Rick Ross, Drake & Usher – Fed Up
Album: Victory
Producer: DJ Khaled & The Runners
Release Year: 2010
Khaled sure knows how to pick em. His selection of artists is not always straightforward but he certainly knows the winning combination to use when he’s looking to create a hit record. “Fed Up” is a product of a Khaled experiment that turned out to be good. Usher was saddled with the responsibility of hook duty and he wasn’t half bad.
14. “Hold You Down” Feat. Chris Brown, August Alsina, Future & Jeremih
Album: I Changed A Lot
Producer: Lee On The Beat, BKorn, LDB, DJ Khaled
Release Year: 2015
Whenever “They,” ask you what Khaled does, play them this record. Tell me which other DJ would’ve been able to bring together some of RnB’s biggest talents for a single? “Hold You Down” was a huge success but not entirely because of the combination of names featured. On a song that included the likes of Chris Brown & Future, Khaled somehow was able to steal the show. The Miami native took the song from a possible 7 to a 10 and he did it by using words.
“You smart. You loyal. You’re grateful. I appreciate that. Go buy your mom a house. Go buy your whole family houses. Put this money in your savings account. Go spend money for no reason.”
I almost shed a tear when I heard him say those words for the first time.
13. “I Got The Keys” Feat. Jay-Z & Future
Album: Major Key
Producer: Southside, Jake One, G Koop
Release Year: 2016
I believe songs like “I Got The Keys” is exactly why DJ Khaled “do this.” Who else would’ve been able to get Jay-Z to do a track with Future, one of the advocates of modern-day autotune — a sound the “Blueprint” rapper thought he killed back in 2009 when he made DOA. Hov was the beneficiary of one of DJ Khaled’s customary solo cuts, which gave him ample room to deliver special cloth talk.
12. ”Nas Album Done” Feat. Nas
Album: Major Key
Producer: DJ Khaled, 808-Ray, Cool & Dre
Release Year: 2016
It’s been over a year now and still no Nas album. Did we get trolled? I know you don’t rush greatness but one of the main reasons rap fans became hyped for this record when it was originally announced was the thought of a new Nas project. The euphoria the title generated made the single a success way before it dropped.
In the song Esco boasts with vintage flows about his signature fade, starting trends, and the struggles facing minorities in America. Big up to Africa.
[If you’re reading this now then you’re likely reading an updated version. Nas album wasn’t done yet].
11. ”Grammy Family” Feat. Kanye West, Consequence & John Legend
Album: Listennn
Producer: Kanye West, Jon Brion
Release Year: 2006
Kanye West used to be so fun on records, what happened? (i still miss the old Kanye). If this was made today it would sound more political than anything. Over a sample of Lou Rawls’ “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” Ye and Cons celebrate G.O.O.D. Music with an unofficial Grammy nod.
This was before Kanye realized the Grammys ain’t shit.
10. ”Never Surender” Feat. Scarface, Jadakiss, Meek Mill, Akon, John Legend & Anthony Hamilton
Album: Suffering From Success
Producer: StreetRunner
Release Year: 2013
My only downer with “Never Surrounder” is the inclusion of Akon, Anthony Hamilton, and John Legend. Just one out of the three would’ve been enough but that’s just my take. I spoke of Khaled’s experimental combinations above, this was yet another one of those that turned out amazing. Everyone brought their A-game, but Jadakiss takes the cake.
9. “Out Here Grindin” Feat. Akon, Rick Ross, Plies, Lil Boosie, Ace Hood & Trick Daddy
Album: We Global
Producer: Akon and The Runners
Release Year: 2007
DJ Khaled pretty much owes most of his early success to Akon and T-Pain. Them two in their prime could turn an average track into one of the most fire songs you’d ever hear. “Out Here Grindin” is DJ Khaled’s ode to the hustlers who work from sun up to sun down.
8. ”I’m The One” Feat. Justin Bieber, Chance The Rapper, Lil Wayne And Quavo
Album: Grateful
Producers: Bobby Brackins, DaviDior, Nic Nac, DJ Khaled
Release Year: 2017
By now it was clear DJ Khaled had become obsessed with Billboard number ones. The We The Best CEO was willing to do anything for a cross-over hit and he achieved it with “I’m The One.” On the track Justin Bieber, Chance The Rapper, Lil Wayne, and Quavo take turns letting the women in their lives know why they should be picked. I’m The One signaled a change of direction from Khaled, who had become a global star and needed to make music that appeals to his new found younger and more pop-leaning audience
7. “HipHop” Feat. Scarface & Nas
Album: Kiss The Ring
Producer: J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
Release Year: 2012
I remember quoting some of the lyrics to this song on my social media feed and the girl I was kicking it with at the time thought I was lowkey dissing.
“Always on my mind so I can’t sleep
She used to tell me she was all mine
Now the only way I see the broad is online
I’m doing drugs trying to feel you
I’m killing me trying to kill you
I built my whole life around ya
I thought I found it all when I found her.
When I look back at it now, I see what she was getting at. I still don’t think the essence of this track was appreciated enough. Scarface, Nas, and DJ Premier are hip hop royalty and all three teaming up for a track was nostalgic. The radio songs with T-Pain and Justin Bieber are good but I don’t think Khaled would ever top this.
6. ”Wild Thoughts” Feat. Rihanna And Bryson Tiller
Album: Grateful
Producer: PARTYNEXTDOOR
Release Year: 2017
DJ Khaled wandered into unfamiliar territory with Wild Thoughts. He had dropped RnB-leaning songs in the past, but none were this sexy. Rihanna made a rare appearance on the seductive bop, which heavily samples the guitar riff from Santana’s 1999 classic “Maria Maria.” The song also features a trifling verse from Bryson Tiller.
5. ”I’m On One” Feat. Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne
Album: We The Best Forever
Producer: T-Minus, Noah “40” Shebib, Nikhil “Kromatik” Seetharam
Release Year: 2011
Drake is surprisingly good when giving hook duties which make you wonder why more people haven’t tried him for their songs. The Toronto rapper seamlessly transitions between singing and rapping using a smooth flow that matches the slow vibe of the song. You could take away Rick Ross and Lil Wayne’s verses and “I’m On One” would still be a smash. Arguably the hottest song of 2011.
4. “I’m So Hood” Feat. T-Pain, Trick Daddy, Rick Ross, Plies
Album: We The Best
Producer: The Runners
Release Year: 2007
The Runners contribution to DJ Khaled’s early success is so underrated. The duo consisting of Andrew “Dru Brett” Harr & Jermaine “Mayne Zayne” Jackson crafted majority of his bangers including one of the most DJ Khaled-Esque songs ever released.
“I’m So Hood” is that disrespectful song that plays well in the whip with the windows down and the speakers blasting at high octane levels — enough to piss off the white supremacist. It did back then and I bet it still would today.
Florida is one of the whitest states in America so it was only right to make a track of this magnitude with rappers from there. Khaled certainly knows what he’s doing.
If the ghetto was to have a soundtrack “I’m So Hood” would be it.
3. ”Brown Paper Bag” Feat. Dre, Young Jeezy, Juelz Santana, Fat Joe, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne
Album: We The Best
Producer: Cool & Dre
Release Year: 2017
Serving as an ode to hustle (illegal) “that RIS can’t tax” money — “Brown Paper Bag” is one of the nicest and depending on who you speak with, greatest rap cut to ever come out of the DJ’s lab. The song samples Yvonne Ellimans disco classic “If I Can’t Have You.”
What’s not to love about this track? the minimalist chorus by Dre, the piano keys, or the grit in Jeezy’s opener? This is what I meant when I said Khaled don’t make em like he used to. They all soared but oh my goodness .. Fat Joe’s verse was just naughty.
2. ”All I Do Is Win” Feat. T-Pain, Rick Ross, Ludacris & Snoop Dogg
Album: Victory
Producer: DJ Nasty, LVM, DJ Khaled
Release Year: 2010
“All I Do Is Win” is exactly what you want playing in the background as you walk to the podium to collect your award for excellence. The song quickly became a fan favorite and was widely used by athletes as a pre-warm-up track to get them ready and hyped for a game. With T-Pain supplying the triumphant vocals, DJ Khaled once again owned the summer with sounds of success. Ludacris, Rick Ross, and Snoop Dogg also helped in turning the song into one of the DJ’s biggest ever songs.
1. ”We Takin Over” Feat. Akon, T.I, Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Birdman & Lil Wayne
Album: We The Best
Producer: Danja
Release Year: 2007
This is still undoubtedly the best DJ Khaled song ever made. Not generally in terms of quality but purpose. Khaled laid out his vision on the track, but we weren’t paying attention. To us, it was just another song but to him, it was the blueprint to world domination. The infectious hook by Akon said “We Takin Over” and Khaled indeed took over.
