The Keys

Why might millions of folks follow DJ Khaled with bated breath? What does he have to say?

He's one of many voices explaining Millennial and Gen Z thinking. His centerpiece issue, inequality, with a broad and detailed narrative.

Khaled is an American Muslim whose family immigrated from Palestine to New Orleans where Khaled was born and raised. He faced prejudice and discrimination as a child and numerous impediments to progress.  Recounting the story, he talks about “they,” and those who “don’t want you to win… don’t want you to progress… didn’t want you to prosper.”

Do we need to hear (understand) any of that noise?



Absolutely.  You may or may not appreciate his style but the content is extraordinarily relevant.

In the first chapter of Khaled's book, The Keys, he advises readers to, “Stay Away From They.”  Khaled explains that “they” are the “enemy” and must be avoided in order for you to prosper.

AND NOW I GOT THE KEYS. AND “THEY” HATE IT. “THEY” HID THE KEYS FROM ME BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO END ME. “THEY” DIDN’T WANT ME TO LEARN THAT IF I WORK HARD AND DREAM BIG I’LL WIN. THIS IS EXACTLY THE LESSON THAT I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU. DON’T LET “THEY” EVER TELL YOU ANYTHING DIFFERENT. 

Note: Music producer DJ Khaled, who’s sometimes called the “Quincy Jones of hip-hop and R&B,” has produced hits for the likes of Jay Z, Kanye West, Drake, Ludacris, T.I., and Nicki Minaj, among others. He recently spoke at Harvard Business School to professor Anita Elberse's class on the businesses of entertainment, media, and sports.  His visit was sponsored by Get Schooled, a nonprofit that seeks to motivate young people to graduate from high school and go to college.