Overall Grade B-
For all you people who are wondering what DJ Khaled does its pretty simple, he’s a DJ. He mixes, masters, and sometimes produces a record. That’s it. Yeah he screams and gets on your nerves every now and then but why not? If you got 80% of the quality artist in hip hop on your album you would feel like you’re the best as well. That was pretty much the situation when the New Orleans born, Miami bred DJ dropped his fourth album We The Best Forever on July 19.
He has the song of the summer so far with the album’s lead single “I’m on One”. Much credit goes to the highly anticipated return from Drake along with memorable verses from Rick Ross and Lil Wayne. If you thought Khaled had more tricks up his sleeve on this project you’re terrible mistaken.
We The Best Forever doesn’t really separate itself from the rest of Khaled’s work in terms of originality. This album is complete with the catchy T-Pain hooks, mandatory Birdman solo and overwhelming Cash Money/ Ace Hood features. All of which are understandable because that’s his family. Khaled did hit a few bombs to left field with tracks like “My Life” (B.o.B. and Akon), “Sleep When I’m Gone” (Cee-lo, Busta Rhymes and Game) and “Money” (Ludacris and Young Jeezy).
Money would definitely be a follow up single but it’s a buzz kill because of how short the song is. Whenever you get Luda and Jeezy together on a Lex Lugar beat you would like to have at least five minutes to enjoy it. Future is another dope song with a creative beat. The concept is refreshing all the newcomers in the game battling it out for the best verse on the song. Ace Hood, Meek Mill, Big Sean, Wale, Vado all came correct. Nice lineup.
It’s implied that Khaled has been the best DJ when it comes to making collaboration albums over the past few years. Yet, for some reason he keeps telling us as if we don’t know. When listening to this album you catch yourself searching for the best verses over the best beats. Dropping this album in the summertime was a great move by Khaled but, does he seem to be taking the mainstream route this time? It’s hard to grade this album off of the usual lyrics, flow, beats, originality rubric due to the fact there were so many artist. So it was easier to give it an overall rating. Check it out for yourself.
Here is the track list for We The Best Forever:
I’m On One Feat. Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne
2. Welcome To My Hood Feat. Rick Ross, Plies, Lil Wayne & T-Pain
3. Money Feat. Jeezy & Ludacris
4. I’m Thuggin Feat. Waka Flocka & Ace Hood
5. It Aint Over Til It’s Over Feat. Mary J. Blige, Fabolous & Jadakiss
6. Legendary Feat. Chris Brown, Keisha Cole & Ne-Yo
7. Sleep When I’m Gone Feat. Busta Rhymes, Cee-Lo & The Game
8. Can’t Stop Feat. Birdman & T-Pain
9. Future Feat. Ace Hood, Meek Mill, Wale, Vado & Big Sean
10. My Life Feat. Akon & B.O.B.
11. A Million Lights Feat. Tyga, Cory Gunz, Mack Maine, Jae Millz & Kevin Rudolf
12. Welcome To My Hood (Remix) Feat. Ludacris, T-Pain, Busta Rhymes, Twista, Mavado, Birdman, Ace Hood, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Bun B, The Game & Waka Flocka
Take a listen to “Money” featuring Young Jeezy and Ludacris and the video for “It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over”:
Follow Al on Twitter: @TheKidSpoon and @HipHopEnqMag
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