Khaled Khaled

4.29.21

Khaled Khaled Release Date 4.30.21

Sometimes artists keep us waiting for albums, sometimes they shock drop and album, I think a few days ahead of time is just the right amount for a fair warning. Yesterday, DJ Khaled blasted his Instagram account with an album announcement, album artwork plus the process to get there, the album’s track list, as well as some brief snippets and story moments. DJ Khaled’s 12th album Khaled Khaled will be released tomorrow, April 30th, and we are in for a treat.

We are on the brink of summer time, and most of the country opening up again, which is the ideal time for DJ Khaled to hit us with a new album. He loves the summer anthems, and has been trending for a new album every other summer since Grateful in 2017. The titles and origins of these albums have always been about family to DJ Khaled. The cover of Grateful includes a baby photo of Asahd. In 2019, DJ Khaled dropped Father of Asahd, with an album cover that featured Khaled and Asahd in matching outfits. Now, in 2021, we are getting Khaled Khaled. While being named after himself, both of his songs are featured on the cover with him, all in matching looks. On DJ Khaled first post addressing the new project, he captions “This my name. This is my legacy. This my COVER. Time to bring MORE LIGHT.”

If there is one thing we do know, it is that DJ Khaled is a very spiritual, family man. Khaled Khaled is in fact DJ Khaled’s real name. It could also very well be said to represent the two sons that he has brought into this world, as on the second post, he credits both sons for being executive producers of the album.

Finally, at 3PM, the track list hits the Instagram Grid, and it is stacked from top to bottom. Lil Wayne and Jeremih start off the project together, a classic duo. Lil Baby has clearly done the most work on the album (aside from the Khaled’s), including three tracks. The first with Lil Durk, one with Bryson Tiller and Roddy Ricch, and the third which is the current front runner for song of the summer, which is I Did It, featuring Post Malone, DaBaby, Megan Thee Stallion and Lil Baby. Greece and Pop Star are on the album, so we’ve got Drake on there. Justin Bieber and 21 Savage should be a fun collaboration for sure. I’m super excited about some Meek Mill, H.E.R, and Bryson Tiller, as well as some A Boogie, Rick Ross, Big Sean and Puff. That is going to be some heat right there. If there is one thing about DJ Khaled, it is that he is going to get all the new stars on his tracklist, but he is going to serve what the old-school hip-hop heads want a well. We already believe we have a one hitter quitter on our hands with this Jay-Z and Nas collaboration.

Nas and Jay-Z will both be featured on the track Sorry Not Sorry, which will also come with a music video upfront. These are two guys that many people put each of in their “Top 5” when discussing their favorite rappers of all time. Or, the rappers whom have done the most for the industry. Not only that, but the two have been known to have a rap beef since the early 2000s, However, it seems that these days it is all about love and respect, which is certainly what we have here. It is a gift to be receiving a track with two of the greatest together, and it will be interesting to hear from them. Khaled previewed the music video, where himself, Jay and Nas are in a casino together, and the Harmony vocals play. It is most likely going to be a serious tune with plenty of harmony and melody, but we should certainly except some bars from each party, as well.

Other features include the Migos, Justin Timberlake, Bounty Killer and more. We have seen videos of Meek Mill playing his vocals for DJ Khaled, and they were both clearly feeling the tune. We saw Megan Thee Stallion pull up at DJ Khaled’s mansion to drop off the vocals. My favorite, out of all this, has to be the Kanye West story.

DJ Khaled shares a snippet of himself playing a track for Kanye, wearing a white tee and basketball shorts like he just got out of a bed. Well, the truth of the matter is, he most likely did just get out of bed. DJ Khaled captioned his post telling the story that Kanye showed up at his house at 8 AM, with no warning that he was coming over. They each played each other their music, and Kanye asked DJ Khaled’s chef for some eggs and ketchup. I find that hysterical and amazing, and beautiful how excited they both are for their new music. They were able to capture some moments, both in bliss and excitement. It is sure to be an incredible body of work.