DJ Khaled

Heard the phrase We the best! recently? Chances are it came from Miami's DJ Khaled.

A New Orleans native, the Palestinian-American DJ Khaled (real name: Khaled Khaled) began his radio hustle in the mid '90s. With trademark enthusiasm that sometimes borders on the obnoxious, DJ Khaled became one of the top jocks on WEDR 99 Jamz, the biggest hip hop station in South Florida. The Terror Squad-affiliated DJ eventually moved into production, plying his trade on underground mix-tapes before releasing Listennn... The Album in 2006. But his considerable talent behind the boards may not be as key to his success as the numbers on his cell – from Bun B to Kanye West.

A star-studded affair, DJ Khaled's debut launched his breakthrough single, Holla At Me Baby, with appearances by high-profile homies Lil Wayne, Pitbull, Paul Wall and Rick Ross. Khaled followed a year later with the approriately titled We The Best and scored two major hits: party banger We Takin Over with Akon, T.I., Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Birdman and Lil Wayne, and the synth-drenched ghetto anthem I'm So Hood, featuring Plies, T-Pain, Trick Daddy and usual suspect Rick Ross. His third album, We Global, is due September 16 but the first single, Out Here Grindin' is a clear sign there's more hyper collabs on the way with verses from Ace Hood, Akon, Lil' Boosie, Plies, Rick Ross, Trick Daddy and Young Jeezy.

Asked how he's been able get so many superstars on his albums, DJ Khaled demurs: "We the best!"