We the Best Forever
Encyclopedia
We the Best Forever is the fifth studio album
by DJ Khaled
. It was released under We the Best Music Group
, Terror Squad Entertainment
, Cash Money Records
and Universal Motown Records
on July 19, 2011 instead of June 28, 2011. 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.
on August 16, 2010 that the album would be titled We the Best Forever. On August 19, 2010, three days after announcing the album title he announced he had signed with Cash Money Records
. On December 7, 2010 Khaled said the album was 75% done. On the official remix to "Welcome to My Hood", DJ Khaled states that the album will be released on June 28. DJ Khaled delayed his album to July 19, 2011 according to his Twitter
.
Khaled confirmed in September 2010 that the people he's made past hits with including , Birdman, Lil Wayne
, would be featured on the project. 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." In February 2011 Khaled confirmed that Drake
, Rick Ross
, T-Pain and Plies
will be featured in the album. In April 2011, Khaled revealed additional guest appearances, including Young Jeezy
, Fat Joe
, Ace Hood
, B.o.B
, Cee Lo Green, Keyshia Cole
, Ne-Yo
, Chris Brown, and Akon
. On his first webisode Khaled confirmed production from The Runners
on the album. This is the first DJ Khaled album since his debut to feature production by DJ Khaled himself. Cool & Dre
produced for the album after notably being left off of the final tracklist for his last album, Victory
.
T-Pain
and Ace Hood
was featured on three tracks, Lil Wayne
and Rick Ross
was featured on "Welcome to My Hood
" And "I'm On One
". Ludacris
, Waka Flocka Flame
, Jadakiss
, The Game, Busta Rhymes
and Birdman
was featured in two tracks.
Bun B
, Birdman, Rick Ross, and Young Jeezy
appear on the album, making We the Best Forever the fifth straight DJ Khaled album that the rappers appeared on.
. The first official single is "Welcome to My Hood
". It was released on January 18, 2011. It features Rick Ross
, Plies
, Lil Wayne
and T-Pain
, and produced by The Renegades
, DJ Nasty & LVM
, and Khaled. It peaked on the Billboard Hot 100
at number 79. On May 12, 2011, Khaled premiered the second single titled "I'm On One
". It features Drake
, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne and was produced by T-Minus
, Noah "40" Shebib, and Kromatic. 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. It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100
at number 78, and has since peaked at number ten, becoming his highest peaking song on the chart. 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 18. The song was released to U.S. Rhythmic radio on August 30. On July 19, 2011, the official music video for "It Ain't Over Til It's Over" was premiered. The fourth single is "Legendary", featuring R&B singers Chris Brown, Keyshia Cole
and Ne-Yo
. It was produced by DJ Nasty & LVM and Gary Carolla, and was released to U.S. Rhythmic radio on October 4.
, selling 53,000 copies its first week. The album is the highest charting album for DJ Khaled. As of October 12, 2011, the album has sold 129,000 copies in the United States.
Studio album
A studio album is an album made up of tracks recorded in the controlled environment of a recording studio. A studio album contains newly written and recorded or previously unreleased or remixed material, distinguishing itself from a compilation or reissue album of previously recorded material, or...
by DJ Khaled
DJ Khaled
Khaled bin Abdul Khaled , better known by his stage name DJ Khaled, is an American record producer, radio personality, DJ, and record label executive. He is a radio host for the Miami-based urban music radio station WEDR and the DJ for the hip hop group Terror Squad. In 2006, Khaled released his...
. It was released under We the Best Music Group
We the Best Music Group
We the Best Music Group is a record label founded by DJ Khaled. It is distributed through Def Jam Recordings, Interscope-Geffen-A&M and Universal Motown.-Artists:* DJ Khaled* Ace Hood* Cameo* Hollyhood Bay Bay* Cubic Z* Ice Berg* Jarvis* Red Rum...
, Terror Squad Entertainment
Terror Squad Entertainment
Terror Squad Records is a hip hop record label founded by Fat Joe in The Bronx, New York. The label has been distributed by Atlantic Records, and Imperial Records and now E1 Music .-History:...
, Cash Money Records
Cash Money Records
Cash Money Records is a record label founded by brothers Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Universal Republic Records as of 2011...
and Universal Motown Records
Universal Motown Records
Universal Motown Records was a record label that operated as a division of Universal Motown Republic Group. It was the contemporary incarnation of the legendary Motown Records label, and the "urban" half of UMRG, although there was some rock artists on the label as well.Changes were made at...
on July 19, 2011 instead of June 28, 2011. It is his first album to be released on a major label, his first four albums being released on the independent label Koch Records
Koch Records
E1 Music , the primary subsidiary of E1 Entertainment LP, is the largest independent record label in the United States. It is also distributed by the Universal Music Group in Europe under the name E1 Universal...
, which later changed its name to E1 Music.
Background
Khaled announced via TwitterTwitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
on August 16, 2010 that the album would be titled We the Best Forever. On August 19, 2010, three days after announcing the album title he announced he had signed with Cash Money Records
Cash Money Records
Cash Money Records is a record label founded by brothers Bryan "Birdman" Williams and Ronald "Slim" Williams. Today it operates as a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and is distributed by Universal Republic Records as of 2011...
. On December 7, 2010 Khaled said the album was 75% done. On the official remix to "Welcome to My Hood", DJ Khaled states that the album will be released on June 28. DJ Khaled delayed his album to July 19, 2011 according to his Twitter
Twitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
.
Khaled confirmed in September 2010 that the people he's made past hits with including , Birdman, Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
, would be featured on the project. Khaled revealed that he really wanted Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
featured on one of his "street anthems" and asked Eminem to "do it for hip hop music
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
as a whole." In February 2011 Khaled confirmed that Drake
Drake (entertainer)
Aubrey Drake Graham , who records under the mononym Drake, is a Canadian recording artist and actor. He originally became known for playing Jimmy Brooks on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation....
, Rick Ross
Rick Ross (rapper)
William Leonard Roberts II , better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. He derived his stage name from the drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, to whom he has no connection...
, T-Pain and Plies
Plies (rapper)
Algernod Lanier Washington , better known by his stage name Plies, is an American rapper and founder of Big Gates Records. Born in Fort Myers, Florida, Washington was a wide receiver on the football team of Miami University in Ohio in 1996 and 1997 before he became a rapper. After dropping out of...
will be featured in the album. In April 2011, Khaled revealed additional guest appearances, including Young Jeezy
Young Jeezy
Jay Wayne Jenkins , better known by his stage name Young Jeezy, is an American rapper. He is the member of the hip hop group United Streets Dopeboyz of America and a former member of BMF...
, Fat Joe
Fat Joe
Joseph Antonio Cartagena , better known by his stage name Fat Joe, is an American rapper, CEO of Terror Squad Entertainment, and member of musical groups D.I.T.C. and Terror Squad....
, Ace Hood
Ace Hood
Antoine McColister, better known by his stage name Ace Hood, is an American rapper. He is signed to DJ Khaled's label We the Best Music Group and Def Jam Recordings...
, B.o.B
B.o.B
Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. , better known by his stage name B.o.B, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer. He is currently signed under the labels of Grand Hustle Records, Rebel Rock Entertainment, and Atlantic Records. His debut single "Nothin' on You" reached number one in both...
, Cee Lo Green, Keyshia Cole
Keyshia Cole
Keyshia Myeshia Cole Gibson born October 15, 1981) is an American singer–songwriter and actress. She gained nationwide acclaim when her 2005 debut album, The Way It Is went platinum. Her sophomore album Just Like You went into production shortly after that and was released in September 2007...
, Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
, Chris Brown, and Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
. On his first webisode Khaled confirmed production from The Runners
The Runners
The Runners is a hip hop production duo from Orlando, Florida, consisting of Andrew "Dru Brett" Harr and Jermaine "Mayne Zayne" Jackson. They came together to form the team in 2000, but they have known each other since they were in kindergarten. They are best known for producing the hit singles "Go...
on the album. This is the first DJ Khaled album since his debut to feature production by DJ Khaled himself. Cool & Dre
Cool & Dre
Cool & Dre are a team of hip hop producers from Miami, Florida, consisting of Marcello "Cool" Valenzano and Andre "Dre" Christopher Lyon.-Epidemic Records:...
produced for the album after notably being left off of the final tracklist for his last album, Victory
Victory (DJ Khaled album)
Victory is the fourth studio album by Miami based mixtape DJ and Terror Squad member, DJ Khaled. It was released on March 2, 2010. under the We the Best Music Group imprint of E1 Records.-Background:...
.
T-Pain
T-Pain
Faheem Rasheed Najm , better known by his stage name T-Pain, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actor, currently signed to Young Money Entertainment. His debut album, Rappa Ternt Sanga, was released in 2005. In 2007, T-Pain released his second studio album Epiphany,...
and Ace Hood
Ace Hood
Antoine McColister, better known by his stage name Ace Hood, is an American rapper. He is signed to DJ Khaled's label We the Best Music Group and Def Jam Recordings...
was featured on three tracks, Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
and Rick Ross
Rick Ross
Rick, Ricky or Richard Ross may also refer to:* Rick Ross , American rapper* Richard J. Ross, a Massachusetts State Senator* Richard Ross , an American photographer...
was featured on "Welcome to My Hood
Welcome to My Hood
"Welcome to My Hood" is the first single off of American hip-hop artist DJ Khaled's fifth album We the Best Forever. The song features American rappers Rick Ross, Plies and Lil Wayne on the verses, and American singer T-Pain on chorus...
" And "I'm On One
I'm On One
"I'm on One" is a song by American hip hop artist DJ Khaled, released as the second single from his fifth studio album, We the Best Forever. The song features hip-hop artists Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne, and features production from Canadian producers T-Minus, Kromatik and Noah "40" Shebib. It...
". Ludacris
Ludacris
Christopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
, Waka Flocka Flame
Waka Flocka Flame
Juaquin Malphurs , better known by his stage name Waka Flocka Flame, is an American rapper signed to 1017 Brick Squad and Warner Bros. He is a Southern hip hop artist best known for his singles "O Let's Do It", "Hard in da Paint" & "No Hands", along with his debut album, Flockaveli...
, Jadakiss
Jadakiss
Jason Phillips , better known as Jadakiss, is an American rapper. He is a member of the group The LOX. Jadakiss is one of the three owners of the imprint known as D-Block. In early 2007, Jadakiss signed to Roc-a-Fella Records / Def Jam Records.-Early life:By the age of 16, Jadakiss was a freestyle...
, The Game, Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes
Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
and Birdman
Birdman
Birdman, birdmen or bird people are terms applied to people with avian characteristics. The terms may also apply to:-Titles:*The Crow Nation, known in their language as Absaroka, or the Bird People.*The Junior Birdmen of America...
was featured in two tracks.
Bun B
Bun B
Bernard Freeman better known by his stage name Bun B, is an American rapper and was one half of the southern hip hop duo UGK . He is also a guest lecturer at Rice University located in Houston, Texas...
, Birdman, Rick Ross, and Young Jeezy
Young Jeezy
Jay Wayne Jenkins , better known by his stage name Young Jeezy, is an American rapper. He is the member of the hip hop group United Streets Dopeboyz of America and a former member of BMF...
appear on the album, making We the Best Forever the fifth straight DJ Khaled album that the rappers appeared on.
Singles
Khaled originally announced the first single would feature Lil WayneLil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
. The first official single is "Welcome to My Hood
Welcome to My Hood
"Welcome to My Hood" is the first single off of American hip-hop artist DJ Khaled's fifth album We the Best Forever. The song features American rappers Rick Ross, Plies and Lil Wayne on the verses, and American singer T-Pain on chorus...
". It was released on January 18, 2011. It features Rick Ross
Rick Ross (rapper)
William Leonard Roberts II , better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper. He derived his stage name from the drug trafficker "Freeway" Ricky Ross, to whom he has no connection...
, Plies
Plies (rapper)
Algernod Lanier Washington , better known by his stage name Plies, is an American rapper and founder of Big Gates Records. Born in Fort Myers, Florida, Washington was a wide receiver on the football team of Miami University in Ohio in 1996 and 1997 before he became a rapper. After dropping out of...
, Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne
Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
and T-Pain
T-Pain
Faheem Rasheed Najm , better known by his stage name T-Pain, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actor, currently signed to Young Money Entertainment. His debut album, Rappa Ternt Sanga, was released in 2005. In 2007, T-Pain released his second studio album Epiphany,...
, and produced by The Renegades
The Renegades
The Renegades was a short-lived ABC TV show from 1982 about a gang that is given the option of going to jail for their crimes or becoming a special police undercover unit. The star of The Renegades, and leader of the gang, was The Bandit played by Patrick Swayze. The gang's police handler is...
, DJ Nasty & LVM
DJ Nasty & LVM
DJ Nasty & LVM are a hip hop production duo consisting of brothers DJ Nasty and LVM . They are best known for working with today's biggest urban music artists such as Blood Raw, Ace Hood, DJ Khaled, Plies, Ludacris, Young Jeezy, Lil Wayne, Brisco, Flo Rida, Rick Ross, Birdman, 8Ball & MJG, Juelz...
, and Khaled. It peaked on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
at number 79. On May 12, 2011, Khaled premiered the second single titled "I'm On One
I'm On One
"I'm on One" is a song by American hip hop artist DJ Khaled, released as the second single from his fifth studio album, We the Best Forever. The song features hip-hop artists Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne, and features production from Canadian producers T-Minus, Kromatik and Noah "40" Shebib. It...
". It features Drake
Drake (entertainer)
Aubrey Drake Graham , who records under the mononym Drake, is a Canadian recording artist and actor. He originally became known for playing Jimmy Brooks on the television series Degrassi: The Next Generation....
, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne and was produced by T-Minus
T-Minus (producer)
T-Minus , is a Canadian hip-hop and R&B producer from Ajax, Ontario. He has produced for artists such as T.I., Ciara, Nicki Minaj, Plies, Ludacris, LeToya Luckett, Birdman, Lil' Wayne, Wale and Drake, & August Rigo among others.-2006:Drake - Comeback Season:* 00. "Replacement Girl" T-Minus (born...
, Noah "40" Shebib, and Kromatic. 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. It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
at number 78, and has since peaked at number ten, becoming his highest peaking song on the chart. The next single with a video to be released is Infinity-produced "It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over", featuring Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige
Mary Jane Blige is an American singer-songwriter, record producer and occasional actress. She is a recipient of nine Grammy Awards and four American Music Awards, and has recorded eight multi-platinum albums. She is the only artist with Grammy Award wins in Pop, Rap, Gospel, and R&B. Blige has...
, Fabolous
Fabolous
John David Jackson , better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Part of his early popularity arose from his hit single "Can't Deny It" in 2001, from his debut...
, and Jadakiss
Jadakiss
Jason Phillips , better known as Jadakiss, is an American rapper. He is a member of the group The LOX. Jadakiss is one of the three owners of the imprint known as D-Block. In early 2007, Jadakiss signed to Roc-a-Fella Records / Def Jam Records.-Early life:By the age of 16, Jadakiss was a freestyle...
, released on iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
on July 18. The song was released to U.S. Rhythmic radio on August 30. On July 19, 2011, the official music video for "It Ain't Over Til It's Over" was premiered. The fourth single is "Legendary", featuring R&B singers Chris Brown, Keyshia Cole
Keyshia Cole
Keyshia Myeshia Cole Gibson born October 15, 1981) is an American singer–songwriter and actress. She gained nationwide acclaim when her 2005 debut album, The Way It Is went platinum. Her sophomore album Just Like You went into production shortly after that and was released in September 2007...
and Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo
Shaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
. It was produced by DJ Nasty & LVM and Gary Carolla, and was released to U.S. Rhythmic radio on October 4.
Sales
The album debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
, selling 53,000 copies its first week. The album is the highest charting album for DJ Khaled. As of October 12, 2011, the album has sold 129,000 copies in the United States.