Don’t Play Yourself. DJ Khaled is More Than Your Favorite Snap Chat Story
WRITTEN BY: Cristina Jerome
The first story you watch on Snap Chat every day is DJ Khaled’s; don’t lie. Seeing what Chef Dee is cooking, watering the flowers, and finding out the keys to success are all things that over one million people add to their daily schedules. But while we are oh so entertained with his funny snaps and memes, we are forgetting that this guy is an entrepreneur with a lot of music industry history. Are there any DJ Khaled fans out there from before he became Snap Chat King? Shout out to you, you’re loyal.
You’re loyal, smart, and a dedicated fan if you were rocking with DJ Khaled when he started professionally on 99 Jamz in 2003. He rocked the hottest tracks with K.Foxx every weeknight on the TakeOver, which quickly grew his fan base. The radio drop “D-J KHALED” we all know and love was born. Aside from radio, DJ Khaled’s production credits, awards, and nominations are a mile long. But what does this really mean to us?
Many of us are still stuck on “Oh DJ Khaled, the guy that yells his name in front of tracks and never raps?” Well, it’s time to get off of that. Want to know why he’s yelling his name? Because he produced the track. Want to know why he’s poppin’ on Snapchat? Because he has the keys to success. Want to know why so many artists respect his grind? Because he put in over 25 years of hard work to get to where he’s at. Let’s be clear.
For the past few years South Florida has worked hard to put their creatives on the map and those who are truly smart, are watching DJ Khaled’s moves, not only his snap chat. Becoming an artist is little more than hitting a stage or getting a few blog posts, it takes strategic marketing and planning and that’s how DJ Khaled quickly got the game on lock.
Producing records with Chris Brown, Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, Trick Daddy and more set the standard for South Florida artists to create on any level. We’re seeing the work from Denzel Curry, Robb Bank$, Bizzy Crook, and many more get the credit they deserve; clearly they found the keys to success. It’s simple. Be everything that THEY don’t want you to be, and you will win win win no matter what.
Aside from the music business, DJ Khaled has taught South Florida how to turn their mannerisms into a brand. WeTheBestStore.com was birthed soon after Khaled knew he was up to something. Turning popular sayings from his Snap Chat into branded merchandise was a major key. This turned something we thought was humorous into a several thousand dollars into revenue, quick.
Overall, you have to take a step back from the Saturday Night Live appearances, funny memes, and hash tags and recognize greatness. Even though Khaled isn’t from South Florida, he represents Dade County as his own and sparks inspiration in everyone starting off in the music industry. Don’t allow THEY to tell you that you can’t make it. The fan love will come, don’t play yourself.
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