DJ Khaled has found a way to bless up to social media popularity in a sea of dull, uneventful celebrity Snapchats.
Remember that guy who didn’t rap, or do much of anything other than yell his name really loudly on tracks? Well that guy is now a Snapchat legend.
DJ Khaled, producer of anthemic hits like “All I Do Is Win” and “I’m On One,” has become the ultimate social media personality in recent months.
His Snapchat often features his daily life, from the meals his chef makes to him in the shower. DJ Khaled coaches his audience on what it means to have success, how to get it and how to not let detractors stop you.
He’s never negative, instead choosing to focus on the more positive aspects of life, like flowers and jet skiing. He calls his plants his “angels” and waters them incessantly, while saying something to the effect of, “they don’t want you to water your plants, so you know what we gonna do? Water them some more.”
Better than any reality TV show, DJ Khaled’s Snapchat is almost cinematic. Nothing will ever top the Khaled lost at sea adventure. In an amazing series of videos, DJ Khaled rides around on a jet ski at night in Miami after leaving Rick Ross’ home and winds up getting lost.
Despite having no clue where he is, he manages to Snapchat every moment, including him freaking out in the pitch black darkness. He captions videos with prayer hands emojis and “If u know me call zay zee tell her we lost.”
The adventure concluded with him realizing that jet skiing at night is not a good idea and is totally illegal. He returned home safely.
Just as there are stages of grief, there are stages of the audience’s feelings toward DJ Khaled’s Snapchat.
First, it’s jarring, wondering if he’s joking or not. Next, there’s laughter because what he says is so entertaining and utterly ridiculous that it’s impossible not to laugh. Then, it’s confusion, realizing he is dead serious and not putting on an act. Then there’s acceptance that this Snapchat is just irresistible, and finally, obsession.
Try as you might to fight it, Khaledisms will ultimately get the best of you, and you will find yourself saying “bless up,” “another one” and “we the best” and overwatering your plants in search of the “major keys to success.”
In a way, the producer is an inspiration, showing that it’s ok to be unapologetically yourself. After all, his “major keys” have turned him into a social media darling in today’s meme culture, and he’s capitalizing on it and selling “We the Best” merchandise like crazy.
His popularity has exploded, and it’s simply because he’s organic. There are no gimmicks. This is the real DJ Khaled, and it always has been. It just took seeing him in all his glory daily on Snapchat for us to realize it. To show its appreciation, Snapchat has even granted DJ Khaled his own filters.
Everyone seems to be enjoying his hilarious lack of self awareness, including the celebrities he features in each snap. He’s featured Puff Daddy, Kim Kardashian, Dwyane Wade, a various assortment of other Miami Heat players and Drake just to name a few.
In its Snapchat debut, the White House referenced Khaled with the caption “major key: get some rest before the big day” in reference to President Obama’s final State of the Union address.
Even LSU is joining in on the DJ Khaled fun. Students are in the Quad saying “another one” or reciting the “major keys” to success as the semester starts up.
Love him or hate him, you should definitely be following the adventures of DJ Khaled on Snapchat. They don’t want you to ride with him through the journey of more success, but you will anyway.
Kayla Randall is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from New Orleans, Louisiana. You can reach her on Twitter @kay_ran21.