Maps of Music

Major Key (2016)

Where the lyrics of Major Key take you, and where it was really made.

The album's cover photo was shot on May 28, 2016 and shows DJ Khaled seated on a throne beside a live lion.

Place unknown

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Major Key (stylized as Major 🔑): ninth studio album by DJ Khaled
Released July 29, 2016 by We the Best Music Group and Epic Records
Features guest appearances from a long list of rappers and singers, including Jay-Z, Future, Drake, Nas and Kendrick Lamar
Four singles: "For Free", "I Got the Keys", "Holy Key" and "Do You Mind"

In late 2015, Khaled became popular on Snapchat, sharing advice he calls his "keys to success"
The key emoji served as the symbol of that knowledge, which led to the album's title
April 12, 2016: Khaled announced a record deal with Epic Records and the title Major Key
April 18, 2016: Khaled joined Beyoncé on her The Formation World Tour

Southside produced a song for the lead single alongside Khaled, Jay-Z and Future
Khaled said the album would have no more than 14 songs
Khaled said he had two Jay-Z verses on the Future track

Born Khaled Mohammed Khaled on November 26, 1975, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Palestinian immigrant parents.
Parents were musicians who played Arabic music; he developed an early interest in rap and soul.
Worked at a local Merry-Go-Round record store.

Started DJing in reggae sound clashes in New Orleans and later co-hosted The Luke Show on WEDR 99 Jamz in Miami from 1998.
Worked with Fat Joe's Terror Squad as a DJ and producer.
Debut album Listennn... the Album (2006) debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200.
Breakthrough with "I'm So Hood" (We the Best, 2007) and "All I Do Is Win" (Victory, 2010, triple platinum).
Major label debut We the Best Forever (2011) produced his first Billboard Hot 100 top ten single, "I'm on One".
Albums Major Key (2016), Grateful (2017), and Khaled Khaled (2021) reached number one on the Billboard 200.
Won his first Grammy for "Higher" at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards.
Known for maximalist production, motivational catchphrases, and a strong social media presence.

Andy Kellman of AllMusic: the contrast between Khaled's all-positive demeanor and his facilitation of misogyny is stark, most evident in "Work It" and "Pick These Hoes Apart"
KC Orcutt of Consequence of Sound: an absolutely mixed bag, though Khaled's presence unifies the record
Nolan Feeney of Entertainment Weekly: few albums this year came preloaded with this many obvious singles
Scott Glaysher of HipHopDX: some instances prove Khaled's worth as a hip hop orchestrator, but they come too few and far between
Kris Ex of Pitchfork: a mixed bag, fitting for a maestro who blends chest-thumping and humility
A. Harmony of Exclaim!: strong start with "I Got the Keys", "Nas Album Done" and "For Free", but it barely strikes a chord afterward
Michael G. Barilleaux of No Ripcord: the production is mostly composed of bothersome loops, leaving the work to the emcees
Nathaniel Schwass of PopMatters: proves Khaled is not simply a meme, though he swings too hard and misses too often
Christopher R. Weingarten of Rolling Stone: a blast in small doses but a little bludgeoning taken as a whole
Matthew Ramirez of Spin: like a summer blockbuster, too front-loaded
Metacritic: generally positive reviews, average score 67 out of 100 based on 11 reviews

Debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 for the week ending August 20, 2016, with 96,000 equivalent album units
Khaled's first number one album and best-selling album of that week, with 59,000 copies sold in its first week
Second-biggest first week of Khaled's career, behind We the Best (2007)
Fell to number seven in its second week, with 43,000 equivalent units
Certified gold by the RIAA in November 2016, platinum on September 27, 2019
Nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album

Khaled had two Jay-Z verses on the Future track, according to his own interview with Entertainment Weekly
Khaled said he was in talks with Kanye West about making something special, and he hinted at collaborations with Mariah Carey and Drake
"For Free" was premiered on Beats 1 in an interview with Zane Lowe and Khaled
"Holy Key" was premiered on the We The Best Radio show on Beats 1 during episode 24
"Nas Album Done" samples "Fu-Gee-La" by the Fugees
"Do You Mind" samples "Lovers & Friends" by Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz featuring Usher and Ludacris