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What makes a hit record soar?
Is it vibrant melodies and impactful lyrics syncing up with driving, anthemic production?
Is it the world-beating verve of a hungry new artist with a unique history and perspective?
Is it all just chemistry, the careful mixing and matching of star power?
The Albumand never looked back.
Rappers make much more music than what we hear once or twice a year when a proper project drops.
(They can just drop a pack or a compilation of their own.
Drakes 2019Care Packagedebuted at No.
1 with songs we all had on hard drives for years.
Why give these records to someone else?
Theyd have to be charming.)
Khaled albums are a lot like class photographs in a high-school yearbook.
You see Kendrick Lamar evolve from the jarring tenacity of They Ready to the regal arrogance of Holy Key.
Khaled weathers these changes by remaining unchanging and affable.
He understands that he is a brand and his friendships are his best-selling product.
Im, like, theBerry Gordy, theQuincy Jonesof hip-hop, he told King.
Listen toWe Globals Standing on the Mountain Top and its apparent Khaled is not a rapper.
Scan the credits of an album and its not entirely clear when and if hes making the beats.
We know he was instrumental in getting Rihanna on Wild Thoughts.
We do not see the G.O.O.D.
Music classic Grammy Family or the Drake smashes as belonging to Khaled.
In spite of its merits, this springs newKhaled Khaled, his 12th album,is almost cynically nostalgic.
Theres anundeniable commercial savvy to the guest list, but also a trace of formula.
The right people were called, butKhaled Khaleddoesnt know what to do with them.
Hearing Justin Timberlakes take onGhostfaceand Mary pissed people off.
OnKhaled Khaled, though, the beats write humongous checks the vocals arent always cashing.
But will you remember why?
If you forget the album, maybe youll catch thenew Dolce & Gabbana collab.
If D&Gs too pricey, maybe youll like whateveralcohol hes pushing.
If sobrietys your thing, maybe youll stumble on afunny TikTok videoor anextravagant Instagram shot.
Wherever you reside on the internet, DJ Khaled will find you.
