Billboard recently caught up with DJ Khaled to break down each individual on his latest album We the Best Forever. During the nine minute interview, the Cash Money star explained how his latest offering shows his growth as an artist, finding him exploring different musical territories while still being able to craft major hit records.
“This album is a special album. It’s my fifth album, I think it’s my biggest album, growth-wise, ‘cus all of my albums to me are classics,” he said. “This one, you can see the growth of me…as an artist and growing with music and touching different stuff that I haven’t touched before.”
Khaled discussed his album’s lead single “I’m On One,” which features Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne. Khaled explained that the track, which has since peaked at position 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, marks his first collaboration with Drake, which has made the mega-hit is extra special for him.
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“This record has a special story ‘cus I’ve been trying to get Drake to do a verse on my album for…a whole full year,” he noted. “[It’s all] in a good, positive way, nothing negative; it’s just his schedule and his creative process to get things done. Actually, Drake was heavily involved [in the song]…as well as [Rick] Ross and Lil Wayne, so it’s just a special record.”
Khaled also discussed the Mary J. Blige, Jadakiss and Fabolous collaboration “It Ain’t Over til’ It’s Over.” Khaled revealed that the track, which is slated to be the album’s next single, was his first time working with the Queen of Hip Hop. He also said that working with her on the track gave him the opportunity to collaborate with her again on a track for her next album.
“If you love Hip Hop and if you love R&B, it’s an undeniable hit record,” he said. “I’m actually about to world premiere the video, and it’s my first time working with Mary J. Blige, and that’s the Queen…working with Mary’s been amazing. On my album, it’s been an amazing process working with her, as well as her [on her album]. Me and the Runners did a track for her on her album, that’s crazy too. It’s opened doors and our relationship is real good.”
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The full interview can be seen below.
