DJ Khaled

DJ Khaled's 'Take It To The Head' Video Is A Blockbuster

18 May 2012 12:38:52 EDT

For video, premiering Sunday on MTV Jams, 'We got nothin' but megastars,' Khaled tells MTV News.
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Blockbuster songs deserve blockbuster video treatments, and DJ Khaled made sure his new single, "Take It to the Head," had a big visual to match. When your track features Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj and Rick Ross, there isn't much choice.

"I told [director] Colin [Tilley] when I called him, 'We gotta video, we gotta do the best video, we gotta win awards, and you gotta really take it there because we got nothin' but megastars on one record," DJ Khaled told MTV News' Sway Calloway from the Universal Studios set where he shot the video at the end of April.

Last summer, Khaled hosted "I'm on One," an inescapable rap jam that partnered Lil Wayne, Drake and Rick Ross for the first time. It seemed that the #1 Billboard rap single would be hard to top, but with Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown on "Take it to the Head," the Cash Money DJ is making a serious run for hip-hop's 2012 summer anthem. The stakes are high, and the video, which premieres Sunday on MTV Jams, is equally as huge.

The video set is reminiscent of the 1974 disaster film "Earthquake," where most of Los Angeles is destroyed by a quake that registers 9.9 on the Richter scale. "Colin Tilley is an amazing director, so he had this amazing idea where he wanted fire behind us, trains broken, ground shaking," Khaled described. "We're giving you new stuff."

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DJ Khaled Tallies His Losses After Tour Bus Fire

03 May 2012 15:17:13 EDT

'I was on my laptop listening to my album. It's the only thing I grabbed,' Khaled tells Sway about the incident on 'RapFix Live.'
By Carter Maness, with reporting by Sway Calloway

It all started with a bare tire. At least that's what DJ Khaled told Sway on Wednesday's "RapFix Live" about his recent tour bus explosion. A video of the incident, showing Khaled reflecting on the loss while the bus was engulfed in a mountain of flames, has been making the rounds, but the Miami DJ/producer finally explained what happened in the exclusive interview.

Apparently, a bare tire caused the large bus to overcompensate and heat up on the bottom. The growing temperature hit flammable material on the back end and, upon exiting the bus, everything under the hood was burnt.

"In no longer than five minutes, the whole bus was completely on fire," Khaled told Sway, still dumbfounded by the experience. "I wasn't scared. I got real stressed at a moment. I had to stop, and my camera man, Daze, was like 'I'm gonna film this. I gotta capture this.' "

Losses for Khaled include at least 150 pairs of sneakers and up to $600,000 in jewelry, including two big-faced Rolex watches. Knowing time was limited, he and his crew made sure to grab the most important thing: music for his upcoming album."I was on my laptop listening to my album. It's the only thing I grabbed," he said. "That's the album. Very important... Everybody sacrificed to make sure we got the laptop and the drive."

More than any material loss, Khaled was thankful that everyone got through the experience unscathed. "We all go through pains and stress. We here," he said. "It is what it is, but we got life."

Khaled also has some friends in high places to make life easier. Upon hearing the news, Cash Money honcho Birdman stepped up and immediately gave him a new bus from his fleet. "He called me when his bus blew, and it wasn't too far from where we stash our buses at," Birdman told Sway. "I was fortunate enough to send a bus to him and make sure he could continue his journey."

DJ Khaled's sixth album, Kiss The Ring, is expected later this year.

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DJ Khaled

Rick Ross False Seizure Rumors 'Irritate' DJ Khaled

20 Apr 2012 10:51:28 EDT

'It irritates me in the game sometimes how people will throw rumors out there about health issues,' DJ Khaled tells 'RapFix Live.'
By Rob Markman, with reporting by Sway Calloway

Rozay is OK! Rick Ross gave the rap world a scare when he suffered a pair of seizures last October, and though he has since assured fans that he was taking care of his health, recent rumors began to surface that the Boss suffered another attack. Not true, says Ross' buddy DJ Khaled.

"He's good. It irritates me in the game sometimes how people will throw rumors out there about health issues. You don't play with health issues," Khaled said when he appeared on"RapFix Live" on Wednesday. "He had that one situation and he's been great from that day. Actually I think he's healthier, because it was a wake-up call for all of us."

During a November episode of BET's "106 & Park" Rozay explained that the first set of seizures, that he suffered while trying to board two separate flights, were a result of sleep deprivation. "Being the fastest-growing label in the game, wanting to be the #1 label in the game, it comes with a lot of sacrifices, and in my case it was sleep," he told show hosts Terrence J and Rocsi. "I would get two hours of sleep and keep moving. Me being a hustler."

After Rozay missed an April 8 performance in Houston and reportedly canceled an overseas show in Guyana, reports began to swirl that the Maybach Music Boss suffered another seizure. "Nah, there were no new seizures or nothing. When people were hitting me up I was like, 'Wow,' " Khaled said. The charismatic DJ says that after hearing the rumors, he immediately called Ross and got all the confirmation he needed. "He's good and he's making amazing music and he's great," he said.

Check back with MTV News on Monday for a special Maybach Music,/ Rick Ross edition of Mixtape Daily!

What's your favorite Rick Ross song? Tell us in the comments!

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How Will Kanye West, DJ Khaled Follow 'Way Too Cold'?

18 Apr 2012 13:33:00 EDT

'Expect another monstrous earthquake to hit the streets,' Khaled promises MTV News of his next Kanye collabo.
By Rob Markman

If you happen to feel the ground shake in the next few months, don't be alarmed: Chances are, you'll just be feeling the after effects of another Kanye West and DJ Khaled single drop.

Originally, Kanye's Kim Kardashian-loving single "Way Too Cold" (initially titled "Theraflu") was slated for the boisterous Cash Money disc jock's upcoming Kiss the Ring LP, but Khaled didn't mind giving Yeezy first dibs because the two have another in the stash.

"Me and Kanye West went back in the lab and we made another record and got some features on there too," Khaled told MTV News after a taping of "Hip Hop Squares," careful not to let too many deets leak. "I can't really talk about it, so expect another monstrous earthquake to hit the streets."

Throughout his career, Khaled has served as a master matchmaker, pairing the likes of Lil Wayne, Rick Ross and T-Pain on an array of high-powered posse tracks like "We Takin' Over" and "Welcome to My Hood." His latest single, "Take it to the Head," groups Weezy, Rozay, Nicki Minaj and Chris Brown, and on his next LP, the charismatic Khaled promises more of the same. "Kiss the Ring is gonna be the real deal," he said.

When it comes to his collaborations with West, Khaled throws all the rules out the window. On "Way Too Cold," the Chi-Town virtuoso not only pissed off PETA by boasting that his mink was draggin' on the floor, he also confessed his love for Kim Kardashian, tossed a nod to Wiz Khalifa and threw a thinly veiled shot at Kardashian's soon-to-be ex-hubby Kris Humphries. The Hit-Boy-supplied beat and Kanye's ear-catching lyrics are what make the Khaled-assisted track stand out.

"On my end, I got this thing with 'Ye where I tell him there's no rules and there's no regulations. It's no format, and ain't nobody gonna tell us nothing on what we're gonna do," Khaled told MTV News on April 5.

The Miami-based DJ/producer wouldn't say much else about his and Yeezy's next release, but who knows? Maybe he will spill the beans when he appears on today's (April 18) "RapFix Live" with host Sway Calloway.

Catch Future, DJ Khaled and Juvenile on "RapFix Live" today at 4 p.m. ET on MTV.com, and be sure to join the Twitter conversation using the hashtag #RapFixLive. Send your questions for the artists to @MTVRapFix!

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Future, DJ Khaled And Juvenile To Join 'RapFix Live' Party

16 Apr 2012 19:12:57 EDT

Join the hip-hop trio Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET on MTV.com
By Rob Markman

"RapFix Live" is ready to turn up. Last week, Sway welcomed Ace Hood and TDE's Schoolboy Q on the red couch, but this week, he'll have to make even more room because Future, DJ Khaled and Juvenile will all be stopping by to kick it Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET on MTV.com.

On Tuesday, Future is dropping his debut album, Pluto. To celebrate, he will swing through the "RapFix" set and make an appearance on MTV's new weekly talk show "Hip Hop POV" on Wednesday. The "Tony Montana" rapper's first shot features R. Kelly, T.I., Juicy J, Snoop Dogg and Trae Tha Truth. His single "Magic" peaked at #10 on the Billboard Hip-Hop/R&B charts, and his next record, "Same Damn Time," is starting to bubble as well.

It'll be quite the moment if the rap newcomer crosses paths with veteran MC Juvenile, who will also be in the studio. Juvie began his career as the shining star on Birdman's Cash Money Records. His 1998 LP, 400 Degreez, was a pivotal hip-hop album and ultimately established Cash Money as a musical force to be reckoned with. It spawned singles like "Ha" and the rump-shaking "Back That Azz Up." Juvie left CMR in 2002 and has largely carried on by himself. He dropped his last solo album, Beast Mode, in 2010 and earlier this year released his Mardi Gras mixtape with DJ Smallz.

Now you can't have a party without DJ Khaled. Since 2006, the Miami representative has been carving his lane as a hitmaker. On his debut LP, Listennn... the Album, Khaled paired artists like Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Jadakiss and Beanie Sigel on high-powered collaborative cuts. He successfully improved on the formula through the years and has delivered with hit records like "I'm So Hood" featuring T-Pain, Rick Ross, Trick Daddy and Plies, as well as last year's inescapable single "I'm On One" with Drake, Ross and Lil Wayne. Khaled's latest track, "Take It to the Head," partners Chris Brown, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj on a single track. His sixth studio album, Kiss the Ring, is due later this year.

Catch Future, DJ Khaled and Juvenile on "RapFix Live" Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET on MTV.com, and be sure to join the Twitter conversation using the hashtag #RapFixLive. Send your questions for the artists to @MTVRapFix!

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Drake Invites Us To His 'Re-Bar Mitzvah' In 'HYFR' Video

06 Apr 2012 20:50:10 EDT

Lil Wayne, Trey Songz, Birdman and DJ Khaled are along for the ride in celebratory clip.
By Kara Warner

Drake certainly isn't holding back in releasing his new music videos! Minutes before the MTV premiere of the highly anticipated, Rihanna-featuring video for "Take Care," Drake debuted the Lil Wayne-assisted video for "HYFR" on his October's Very Own blog.

As we saw via a few photos from the set recently, the video is a re-creation of Drizzy's Bar Mitzvah.

The clip opens with footage of a very young Aubrey "Drake" Graham at a friend or relative's Bar Mitzvah years ago. Little Drake says "mazel tov" to camera, and then we cut to the video's introduction, which is printed in white lettering over a black background. "On October 24th 2011 Aubrey 'Drake' Graham chose to get re-Bar Mitzvah'd as a re-commitment to the Jewish religion."

We see another few seconds from the archive footage, in which little Drake is busting some moves on the dance floor, looking totally comfortable performing to the camera, before we hear the opening of "HYFR" and cut to Drake dressed to the nines in his freshest bar mitzvah formalwear standing in front of a group of what appear to be his childhood friends — including longtime producer Noah "40" Shebib.

The video takes place in three different settings: The first is the opening shot outside the temple, the Bar Mitzvah ceremony inside the temple and the reception after the ceremony. Over the course of the nearly four-minute clip, we watch Drizzy chillin' with his homies all civilized-like, then we see him going through the motions of the Mitzvah, reciting scripture inside the temple with a rabbi, and then we watch everyone wildin' out at the reception with drinks, dancing and talking to ladies. Decorations and cakes are smashed, and Weezy — who is first shown fully clothed, wearing a panda hat/mask — eventually strips down to just his pants. There are also playful assists/cameos made by Trey Songz, Birdman and DJ Khaled.

Where "Take Care" has a more voyeuristic, contemporary-art feel, "HYFR" is just one big party that we're all invited to watch.

Which Drake video do you like best? Share your reviews of the brand-new clips in the comments!

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Kanye West's 'Theraflu' Was Originally For DJ Khaled

05 Apr 2012 19:44:40 EDT

Khaled promises another 'Ye collaboration on upcoming Kiss the Ring.
By Rob Markman

Whenever hip-hop is in need of an unforgettable moment, Kanye West always seems to have the remedy. The Louis Vuitton Don unexpectedly wowed fans Wednesday night when he gave DJ Funkmaster Flex the go-ahead to premiere "Theraflu," his new Hit-Boy-produced single that features both DJ Khaled and DJ Pharris.

Hit-Boy estimates Kanye recorded the single a little more than a week ago, but initially he didn't even intend for Yeezy to be part of the record. "I actually had sent that beat to Khaled, and Khaled gave it to 'Ye," the G.O.O.D. Music producer told MTV News on Thursday (April 5). "It was supposed to be for Khaled's album, and 'Ye was just like, 'This needs to be out now; this is an urgent record.' "

DJ Khaled, who is overwhelmed by the record's response, said it's been an exciting 48 hours, but he promises that there is more in the works. "I was in the studio with 'Ye, and I was like, 'Let's do something for your album, and let's do something for my album,' " Khaled told MTV News over the phone.

The charismatic DJ, who intros "Theraflu," has even higher hopes for the pair's next single. "Just use your best imagination on how I'mma deliver. I'm not playin'," Khaled teased.

He wouldn't say when their next collaboration would drop, but he did reveal that the two already recorded a song that will appear on Khaled's upcoming Kiss the Ring LP. "When we get together, we just make some amazing music," he said.

Lyrically, Kanye delivered a fiery performance on "Theraflu," baiting PETA on the hook with "Someone tell PETA my mink is draggin' on the floor." He also once again addresses his ex-flame Amber Rose, her fiancé Wiz Khalifa and admitted that he fell in love with Kim Kardashian. It's all pretty intriguing, considering Kanye has shied away from the media for almost two years now.

What do you think of Kanye West's "Theraflu" single? Tell us in the comments!

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Rick Ross Birthday Bash Boasts Dr. Dre, Diddy

30 Jan 2012 20:10:31 EST

Miami's Club Amnesia filled with hip-hop royalty Sunday night in honor of Maybach Music MC.
By Rahman Dukes

MIAMI — Rick Ross cemented a weekend of jet-set partying for his 36th birthday in ultimate style Sunday night at his home base in Miami, surrounded by some of his closest friends and thousands of fans. Club Amnesia was packed wall to wall with almost no wiggle room, filled with hip-hop heavyweights and club revelers watching closely, competing to get a shot of the action.

Ross ascended from a chauffeur-driven black Maybach shortly after 1 a.m. with companion DJ Khaled by his side. Decked out in his signature coconut-colored silk threads, the hefty MC was swiftly ushered by his Maybach Music entourage inside the venue.

Fans cheered, "Happy birthday, boss," as an elated Ross made his way to Amnesia's top-level VIP area, where dozens of music celebrities — including producer/singer Sean Garrett, actor Evan Ross and powerhouse producer Dr. Dre — were waiting in the wings for his arrival. Dre was easily the night's most-talked-about guest, as the sight of him and Ross together confirmed their union after being spotted hanging out together in Miami recently.

Soon after Ross, the celebrity arrivals began to flow in sync with the hundreds of bottles of Moet Rose champagne and Ciroc vodka that were delivered to his seating area. Party host Diddy showed up soon after with an entourage consisting of new Bad Boy artist French Montana, Cassie and his son Justin. Minutes later, Wiz Khalifa and girlfriend Amber Rose joined the party.

"This is your night!" Diddy shouted at Ross, alongside a grinning Khalifa by his side. Ross, with Dre directly behind him, raised a glass filled with pink bubbly.

As the night continued full steam, other hip-hop artists including the LOX, upstart Chicago crew L.E.P. and singer the Dream separately made their way to greet the Bawse. At one point, there were whispers that Young Money superstar Drake was also present in the building, but the Canadian MC was nowhere to be seen.

One of the most-touching moments of the night was a snapshot of Ross and former business manager and Poe Boy head E-Class exchanging hugs and pounds. Class had been a longtime associate of Rozay since his earlier days, until the two had a recent falling out that ended their business relationship.

Wrapping up the night in traditional fashion, Ross and his MMG family exited the empty-bottle-strewn VIP area and made their way to the stage for an impromptu performance. Ross gave the audience their money's worth, performing hit after hit from his war chest of club anthems.

"They say I'm getting money, must be Illuminati/ Talking to the Holy Ghost, in my Bugatti," Ross rapped on the track "Holy Ghost" off his Rich Forever mixtape. "He knockin' on the door, don't let the devil iiiinnn."

On this night, the larger-than-life MC had his way, no doubt to be blessed with another banner year.

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Chris Brown, Meek Mill Rock Powerhouse '11 Show

30 Oct 2011 12:44:16 EDT

Chris Brown, Meek Mill, Wale, Big Sean, DJ Khaled performed rollicking sets at Power 99's Powerhouse '11 on Friday at Philly's Wells Fargo Arena, where Rick Ross was notably absent.
By

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DJ Khaled Says Fat Joe's Weight Loss 'Inspired Him'

27 Jul 2011 15:14:52 EDT

'[It's] just more inspiration for him to make more hit records,' Khaled tells Mixtape Daily.
By Rob Markman

Celebrity Favorites: DJ Khaled
"Fat" Joe is no more. The Bronx, New York, rapper has recently been dropping pounds like he drops hit records, losing more than 80 pounds to date. No word yet as to whether he will consider a name change, but his friend and frequent collaborator DJ Khaled is in full support and astonished by his buddy's new physique.

"Joe lost so much weight that I can't believe it," Khaled told Mixtape Daily. "I was just on the phone with him and he was like, 'Khaled I wear a 1X. I walk into Bal Harbour, go to Gucci and whatever.' "

Shopping in the ritzy North Miami Beach neighborhood is not the only perk to being lighter. According to Khaled, Joe's diet has also reinvigorated his artistic muscle. "Now he goes into any store and buys a 1X. He said he feels the best he ever felt and he's back in the studio working," the We the Best Forever DJ said. "I think by him losing all this weight, it just inspired him, just more inspiration for him to make more hit records."

Back in June, Joe revealed to the New York Daily News that he went on a diet following the deaths of a number of his close friends. "I always loved being fat, obviously. I'm Fat Joe," the rapper told the newspaper. "If I could gain 1,000 pounds and be healthy, I would love to do that. The biggest killer of people is food. It kills more people than AIDS or gun violence or war, anything you can name.

"Everybody keep catching strokes and heart attacks, and what happened to me was, like seven of my friends passed last year from heart attacks, and they were all 32, 34 years old, 35. And I said, 'I got kids, I can't leave 'em like that.' This world is too hard for me to leave my kids, without me supervising and being there for them."

For other artists featured in Mixtape Daily, check out Mixtape Daily Headlines.

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