We the Best Forever

We the Best Forever is the fifth studio album by American disc jockey and record producer DJ Khaled. It was released under We the Best Music Group, Terror Squad Entertainment, Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, and Universal Motown Records on July 19, 2011 instead of June 28, 2011.[1] It is his first album to be released on a major label, his first four albums being released on the independent label Koch Records, which later changed its name to E1 Music.

"It Ain't Over Til It's Over" redirects here. For the Lenny Kravitz song, see It Ain't Over 'til It's Over.

We the Best Forever
Studio album by
DJ Khaled
ReleasedJuly 19, 2011 (2011-07-19)
RecordedOctober 2010 – May 2011
StudioWe the Best Studios, North Miami, YMCMB Studios, New Orleans, Hollygrove
GenreHip hop
Length53:42
Label
Producer
DJ Khaled chronology
Victory
(2010)		 We the Best Forever
(2011)		 Kiss the Ring
(2012)
Singles from DJ Khaled
  1. "Welcome to My Hood"
    Released: February 1, 2011
  2. "I'm on One"
    Released: May 20, 2011
  3. "It Ain't Over Til It's Over"
    Released: July 8, 2011
  4. "Legendary"
    Released: October 4, 2011

Background

Khaled announced via Twitter on August 16, 2010 that the album would be titled We the Best Forever.[2] On August 19, 2010, three days after announcing the album title he announced he had signed with Cash Money Records.[3] On December 7, 2010 Khaled said the album was 75% done.[4]

Khaled confirmed in September 2010 that the people he's made past hits with including, Birdman, Lil Wayne, would be featured on the project.[5] Khaled revealed that he really wanted Eminem featured on one of his "street anthems" and asked Eminem to "do it for hip hop music as a whole."[5] In February 2011 Khaled confirmed that Drake, Rick Ross, T-Pain, and Plies will be featured in the album.[6] In April 2011, Khaled revealed additional guest appearances, including Fabolous, Young Jeezy, Fat Joe, Ace Hood, B.o.B, Cee Lo Green, Keyshia Cole, Ne-Yo, Chris Brown, and Akon.[7][8] On his first webisode Khaled confirmed production from The Runners on the album.[9] This is the first DJ Khaled album since his debut to feature production by DJ Khaled himself.[6]

Singles

Khaled originally announced the first single would feature Lil Wayne.[4] The album's first single "Welcome to My Hood" featuring Rick Ross, Plies, Lil Wayne, and T-Pain, and produced by The Renegades, Cubic Z, DJ Nasty & LVM, and Khaled was released on January 18, 2011.[10] It peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at number seventy-nine.[11] On February 10, 2011, the music video was released for "Welcome to My Hood" featuring Rick Ross, Plies, Lil Wayne, and T-Pain.[12] On April 27, 2011, the music video was released for the "Welcome to My Hood" (Remix) featuring T-Pain, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Twista, Mavado, Birdman, Ace Hood, The Game, Fat Joe, Jadakiss, Bun B and Waka Flocka Flame.[13]

On May 12, 2011, Khaled premiered the second single titled "I'm On One" featuring Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne and produced by T-Minus, Noah "40" Shebib, and Kromatik. It was released in the United States for digital download on May 20, 2011, and was released to U.S mainstream radio on August 23.[14][15] It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number seventy-eight, and has since peaked at number ten, becoming his then highest peaking song on the chart.[11] On June 26, 2011, the music video was released for "I'm On One" featuring Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne.[16]

The next single with a video to be released is Infinity-produced "It Ain't Over Til It's Over", featuring Mary J. Blige, Fabolous, and Jadakiss, released on iTunes on July 8. The next day, the official music video for "It Ain't Over Til It's Over" was premiered. The song was released to U.S. Rhythmic radio on August 30.[17]

The fourth single is "Legendary", featuring R&B singers Chris Brown, Keyshia Cole, and Ne-Yo.[17] It was produced by DJ Nasty, Cubic Z & LVM, and was released to U.S. Rhythmic radio on October 4, 2011.[17]

Reception

Critical reception
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic61/100[18]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[19]
HipHopDX[20]
Now[21]
PopMatters4/10[22]
Rolling Stone[23]
XXL (XL)[24]

We the Best Forever was met with generally positive reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream critics, the album received an average score of 61, based on 7 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews ".[18] Amanda Bassa of HipHopDX gave the album three out of five stars, saying "At this point listeners are either down with his movement or they aren't, and while We The Best Forever is a solid piece, it's not different enough from his previous work to change any minds about him. But with emcees ranging from Jadakiss to B.o.B., there really is a little something on his latest LP to satisfy just about anyone who enjoys mainstream Hip Hop."[20] AllMusic editor David Jeffries gave the album three and a half stars out of five, saying "We the Best Forever may be DJ Khaled's first release for the Cash Money label, but little else has changed. The good news is that the ringleader's formula of rounding up superstar talent for an album jammed with potential singles still works, unless you think everything on 2011 radio is trash and that big money ruined hip-hop."[19] Adam Fleischer of XXL gave the album an XL, saying "Though the content of We The Best Forever is what we've come to expect from a DJ Khaled offering—grandiose odes to the grind and getting yours—that he understands how to create those better than most is what makes a DJ Khaled track, and album, worthwhile."[24]

Jody Rosen of Rolling Stone gave the album three out of five stars, saying "As usual, his imperial victory-march hip-hop songs are fun, and mildly exhausting."[23] Kevin Ritchie of Now gave the album two out of five stars, saying "DJ Khaled's fifth curatorial compilation of posse raps is a forgettable snapshot of mainstream hip-hop despite an all-star roster of emcees, R&B singers and producers. An industry fixture, the Miami radio DJ and Terror Squad member takes few stylistic chances, making We The Best Forever a mostly tedious listen despite its flashes of lyrical invention."[21] PopMatters contributor David Amidon gave the album a four out of ten, saying "It's certainly worth noting that We the Best Forever is Khaled’s most complete album since its namesake, for whatever that may be worth to you, and despite all kinds of reasons provided to do otherwise (Khaled actually spitting a verse on "Sleep When I’m Gone" comes to mind) it's not an incredible struggle to listen to a Khaled album front-to-back for once."[22]

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number five on the Billboard 200, selling 53,000 copies its first week.[25]

Track listing
Standard edition
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."I'm On One" (featuring Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne)Khaled Khaled, Aubrey Graham, William Roberts, Dwayne Carter, Jr., Tyler WilliamsT-Minus, Noah "40" Shebib[b], Nikhil "Kromatik" Seetharam[b]4:56
2."Welcome to My Hood" (featuring Rick Ross, Plies, Lil Wayne and T-Pain)Khaled, Roberts, Algernod Washington, Carter, Faheem Najm, Johnny MollingsThe Renegades, Cubic Z, DJ Khaled[a], DJ Nasty[a]4:10
3."Money" (featuring Jeezy and Ludacris)Khaled, Jay Jenkins, Chris Bridges, Lexus LewisLex Luger3:55
4."I'm Thuggin" (featuring Waka Flocka Flame and Ace Hood)Khaled, Juaquin Malphurs, Antoine McCollister, LewisLex Luger4:16
5."It Ain't Over Til It's Over" (featuring Mary J. Blige, Fabolous and Jadakiss)Khaled, Jason Phillips, Mary Jane Blige, John Jackson, Kelly Sheehan, Olivia WaitheInfinity & Zaay Alexander3:13
6."Legendary" (featuring Chris Brown, Keyshia Cole and Ne-Yo)Khaled, Christopher Brown, Keyshia Cole, Shaffer Smith, Lundon Knighten, J. Mollings, Christopher Whitacre, L. Mollings, Justin Henderson, Gary CarollaTha Bizness, DJ Nasty & LVM, Gary Carolla, DJ Khaled[a]4:16
7."Sleep When I’m Gone" (featuring The Game, Busta Rhymes and Cee-Lo)Khaled, Nate Hills, Jayceon Taylor, Timothy Callaway, Trevor Smith, Kelly SheehanDanja5:22
8."Can't Stop" (featuring Birdman and T-Pain)Khaled, Bryan Williams, Najm, Matthew Samuels, Matthew BurnettBoi-1da, Matthew Burnett, Cubic Z2:49
9."Future" (featuring Ace Hood, Meek Mill, Big Sean, Wale and Vado)Khaled, Samuels, McCollister, Robert Williams, Sean Anderson, Olubowale Akintimehin, Teeyon Winfree, Maurice Carpenter, J. Mollings, Leigh Elliot, L. MollingsBoi-1da, The Inkredibles, Bass Line5:35
10."My Life" (featuring Akon and B.o.B)Khaled, Aliaune Thiam, Bobby Ray Simmons, Luis Diaz, Benjamin Diehl, Kelly Sheehan, Heather BrightLuis Diaz, Ben Diehl3:31
11."A Million Lights" (featuring Tyga, Mack Maine, Cory Gunz, Jae Millz and Kevin Rudolf)Khaled, Kevin Rudolf, Michael Stevenson, Jermaine Preyan, Jarvis Mills, Peter Pankey Jr., Andrew Harr, Jermaine Jackson, Andre Davidson, Sean Davidson, Walter Douglas PowersThe Runners, The Monarch4:29
12."Welcome to My Hood (Remix)" (featuring T-Pain, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Twista, Mavado, Birdman, Ace Hood, Fat Joe, The Game, Jadakiss, Bun B and Waka Flocka Flame)Khaled, Mollings, Mollings, Najm, Christopher Bridges, Smith, Carl Mitchell, David Brooks, Williams, McCollister, Joseph Cartagena, Phillips, Bernard Freeman, Taylor, MalphursThe Renegades, Cubic Z, DJ Nasty & LVM[a], DJ Khaled[a]7:10
Total length:53:42
Deluxe edition bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
13."Self Paid" (featuring Rox and Rick Ross)Khaled, RobertsJohnny Juliano3:24
14."Rock N Roll (Remix)" (performed by Raekwon featuring DJ Khaled, Game, Pharrell and Busta Rhymes)Khaled, Corey Woods, Taylor, Pharrell Williams, Smith, Abdul-RahmanDJ Khalil5:13
15."Bottles & Rockin' J's" (performed by Game featuring DJ Khaled, Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross, Fabolous and Lil Wayne)Khaled, Taylor, Smith, Roberts, Jackson, Carter, LewisLex Luger5:39
Notes
  • ^a signifies a co-producer
  • ^b signifies an additional producer
Sample Credits

Charts

See also

References
  1. Jacobs, Allen (March 9, 2011). "Cash Money Reportedly Scheduling Releases From Lil Wayne, Bow Wow, Lil Twist Next". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Archived from the original on March 14, 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
  2. Harling, Danielle (August 16, 2010). "DX News Bits: The Outlawz, DJ Khaled, Ludacris". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
  3. Vasquez, Andres (August 20, 2010). "DJ Khaled Joins Cash Money Records, Bizzy Bone Praises Label Already". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Archived from the original on August 22, 2010. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
  4. Rodriguez, Jayson (December 7, 2010). "DJ Khaled Teases Lil Wayne Collabo On We The Best Forever". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
  5. Reid, Shaheem (September 1, 2010). "DJ Khaled Says An Eminem Collabo Would 'Rip The Streets Apart'". MTV. Viacom. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
  6. Ryon, Sean (February 8, 2011). "DJ Khaled Enlists Kanye West, Drake for Cash Money Debut". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Archived from the original on February 14, 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
  7. Kuperstein, Slava (April 2, 2011). "DJ Khaled Enlists Nas, Kanye West For New Album". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Archived from the original on September 3, 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
  8. "DJ Khaled Recruits Nas, Kanye for New LP [VIDEO". XXL. Townsquare Media. April 1, 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
  9. "DJ Khaled "We The Best Forever" Episode 1". YouTube. September 18, 2010. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
  10. "iTunes - Music - Welcome to My Hood (feat. Rick Ross, Plies, Lil Wayne & T Pain) - Single by DJ Khaled". iTunes (US). Apple. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  11. "DJ Khaled - Chart history". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  12. : damaya919 (February 10, 2011). "New Video: DJ Khaled Ft. Rick Ross, Plies, T-Pain & Lil Wayne "Welcome To My Hood"". Rap Radar. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  13. "Video: DJ Khaled f/ Various Artists – 'Welcome to My Hood (Remix)'". Rap-Up. Devin Lazerine. April 27, 2011. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  14. "I'm On One (Feat. Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne) [Explicit]: DJ Khaled: MP3 Downloads". Amazon.com. Retrieved May 24, 2011.
  15. "Top 40/M Future Releases | Mainstream Hit Songs Being Released and Their Release Dates". Allaccess.com. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
  16. : B.Dot (June 26, 2011). "New Video: DJ Khaled Ft. Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne "I'm On One"". Rap Radar. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  17. "Radio Industry News, Music Industry Updates, Arbitron Ratings, Music News and more!". FMQB. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  18. "We The Best Forever Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  19. Jeffries, David. "We the Best Forever - DJ Khaled". AllMusic. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  20. Bassa, Amanda (July 25, 2011). "DJ Khaled - We the Best Forever". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  21. Ritchie, Kevin (October 24, 2013). "DJ Khaled - We The Best Forever". Now. NOW Communications. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  22. Amidon, David (August 22, 2011). "DJ Khaled: We the Best Forever". PopMatters. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  23. Jody Rosen (August 2, 2011). "We the Best Forever". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  24. "DJ Khaled, We The Best Forever". XXL. Townsquare Media. July 22, 2011. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  25. "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 7/24/2011". HipHopDX. Cheri Media Group. July 27, 2011. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved March 14, 2012.
  26. "DJ Khaled Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
  27. "DJ Khaled Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
  28. "DJ Khaled Chart History (Top Rap Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
  29. "2011 Year-End Charts: R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
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