DJ Khaled has defied the existing stereotype by challenging the idea that diva behavior is not the preserve of female entertainers. In an Instagram video, the renowned mogul took fans aback with details of his Miami performance, surprising fans with his unique approach to maintaining his shoes’ pristine condition.
“I don’t want to get my Jordans dirty. Can I get everybody to help me? Please. Everybody help me,” he blurted out as he stepped out of his Maybach before jumping onto the shoulders of two security guards who helped him into the back of a driving cart, as reported by Hiphop DX.
“Thanks, brothers, appreciate it. Can’t mess up the J’s. I’m performing live right now, right here in Miami Beach. We ’bout to light the whole stage up,” he added, prepping himself up for the stage.
The unusual video attracted backlash from many social media users, with some advising DJ Khaled to humble himself and others explicitly urging him to step down from his perceived high status.
“That’s some lazy ass shit he could have got on the truck himself,” another critic said.
Someone else suggested his security guards need a pay rise, writing: “Guards don’t get paid enough for data [laughing emoji].”
DJ Khaled’s diva behavior coincides with his efforts to build anticipation for his upcoming album. The 48-year-old artist confirmed via Instagram that the project will feature two collaborations with Drake, whipping up anticipation among fans.
“Love to everybody that has ever had a chance to work with Drake or got to experience the greatness of my brother,” DJ Khaled said.
“But what I have locked and loaded in the can? You ever heard word-for-word, sing word-for-word?” he asked, miming a performer singing onstage and asking the crowd to respond.
In the same clip, DJ Khaled also said: “It’s time to get back to the hits.”
DJ Khaled’s statement is significant given his limited success in the past five years, with only three songs breaking into the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart—all collaborations with Drake (“Popstar,” “Greece,” and “Staying Alive”).
His most significant hits occurred in mid-2017, reaching No. 1 with “I’m the One” in May and No. 2 with “Wild Thoughts” in July.
The mention of two Drake songs on his forthcoming album was initially discussed by DJ Khaled late last year. During one of Drake’s It’s All a Blur Tour shows in October, DJ Khaled joined the superstar on stage, brandishing a large sign declaring, “I have 2 Drake songs on my new album — coming 2024.”
“When you come out with the 6 God, you gotta go hard, ” Khaled said in a video he posted on Instagram showing Drake laughing beside him. “You can’t just come out. We ain’t playing with this!”
DJ Khaled has revealed that his upcoming album will include collaborations with Lil Baby, Future, and Lil Uzi Vert, all of whom were featured on his single “Supposed To Be Loved” released last year.
