Grammy nominee and winner of the 2017 American Music Awards favorite hip-hop song, DJ Khaled , rocks the cover of Ocean Drive magazine’s April issue. Inside the vibrant glossy, the self-proclaimed mogul poses alongside his son and muse, Asahd.
In his interview, the Miami resident opens up about his fearless dive into the DJ booth at a young age, the inspiration behind his Billboard No. 1 album Grateful and how his now 16-month-old son instantly won his heart and inspired his new album, Father of Asahd.
Khaled also discusses the importance of promoting love in the wake of the Parkland shooting, the significance and power of today’s youth and his work with nonprofits Get Schooled and We the Best Foundation.
On the bravery of the teens speaking out following the Parkland shooting
“We have to listen to them. The new generation of kids, they’re the ones who are going to be the next Khaled, the next Oprah, the next Obama, the next Ocean Drive, you know what I’m saying? They’re the ones. It’s important for all of us to embrace them.”
His perseverance and hard work to build his DJ career
“I remember throwing my own parties. I was never the guy who was waiting for someone to hire me. I hired myself. I rented out halls, passed out my own flyers… Why wait on a promoter when you can invite the same way they would invite?”
DJ Khaled & how he became ‘one of the greatest’ by staying grateful
“I’m one of the greatest, you know? So many people out there are fighting to be great but aren’t grateful. I’ve worked my whole life and have never been the guy who complains. Why would I waste my energy complaining [about] setbacks when I can put my energy toward the solution to be great?”
His son and muse for his new album, Father of Asahd
“My son is my everything. I told my son the other day, ‘What you’ve accomplished in one year took me 42 years. Man, he’s so smart. He understands every word I’m saying. The moment he was born, I let him know: ‘You’re a boss. You’re self-made. You’re the greatest that ever did it. You can be anything you want to be.’ It’s our job to put the right environment around them and the right energy.”
Follow the interview at Oceandrive.com
Photos credit: Warwick Saint
