‘I represent love’: DJ Khaled discusses his ‘beautiful’ identity as a Palestinian American as he sports multi-coloured outfit in bold fashion shoot
DJ Khaled has told how he thinks his Palestinian American identity is ‘beautiful’ as he posed for an edgy new shoot.
The hitmaker, 45, was born in New Orleans to Palestinian parents who immigrated to the United States, with his mother and father often playing Arabic music in the house as he was growing up.
Speaking to GQ Hype, Khaled said it is ‘incredible’ to be one of the most publicly visible Palestinian Americans.
Identity: DJ Khaled has told how he thinks his Palestinian American identity is ‘beautiful’ as he posed for an edgy new shoot
He said: ‘It’s incredible, because, you know, that’s what I represent: love, positivity, family, peace, happiness, prosperity, progress. I mean, just to be able to say that I’m American Palestinian, that’s so beautiful.’
Khaled sported an eye-catching double print jacket for his cover shoot as he posed behind the wheel of a convertible.
Having released 11 studio albums, the record producer said he has a high standard when it comes to the music he makes, not wanting to ‘waste’ his fans’ time.
He said: ‘Look, any feature can look good on paper,’ he said of his approach to making hits. But I’m about making a great song.
He said: ‘It’s incredible, because, you know, that’s what I represent: love, positivity, family, peace, happiness, prosperity, progress. I mean, just to be able to say that I’m American Palestinian, that’s so beautiful’
‘So, if I get a chance to work with a great artist, I don’t want to waste their time. And I don’t want to waste my time. And I for sure don’t want to waste my fans’ time. So the question with me is that I hit home runs. I won’t do it no other way, period.’
On his clothing collaboration with Dolce & Gabbana, he said: ‘God forbid there was a dress code… because you fulfilled it. The dress code [for this collection] is ‘flyness’ – you prepared no matter what.
‘Confidence is key. This means that you have to know when you step in, not only are you ready to be great and come out great, [but] you have to spread this energy.’
Patty, DJ Khaled’s executive assistant of the last 15 years joined the interview and discussed whether he really is the same guy that we see on videos and social media.
Career: Having released 11 studio albums, the record producer said he has a high standard when it comes to the music he makes, not wanting to ‘waste’ his fans’ time
He said: ‘It’s hard to believe, but if I’m having a bad day, he’ll say to me, “Come to the light, come to light. Everything will be good”. It’s good to have that positive reinforcement, you know?”
Khaled added: ‘When anything negative comes my way, I hit ’em with the light.’
Read the full feature online at GQ Hype: https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/culture/article/dj-khaled-interview-2021.
He said: I for sure don’t want to waste my fans’ time. So the question with me is that I hit home runs. I won’t do it no other way, period.’ (pictured with his wife Nicole Tuck in 2019)