DJ Khaled can always count on the support of his A-list rap buddies when he's making his "movies." MTV News caught up with the Miami-based DJ and recording artist in New York City on the set of the video for his "Welcome to My Hood (Remix)."
Always in promotion mode, the Palestinian (by way of New Orleans) revealed that his new album is going to be available by the summertime. "It's a historical event, man," Khaled told. "We the Best Forever, the album, June 28th. This remix is just a sample of some of the things I'm 'a be doing on the album."
We the Best Forever will be Khaled's fifth album and his first since signing to Cash Money Records last year. The original version of "Welcome to My Hood," produced by Khaled, the Renegades and the Nasty Beatmakers, is the album's lead single and features Rick Ross, Plies, Lil Wayne and T-Pain. The remix's roster features a hip-hop who's who with added verses from Waka Flocka Flame, Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes, Ace Hood, Jadakiss, Bun B, the Game and Ludacris.
"I'm happy to be a part of it," said Ludacris, wearing a sweatshirt emblazoned with an image of the late Nate Dogg. "I just left a movie set, and now I'm on a video set. We just continuing making moves, believe that."
Dancehall artist Mavado is on the remix as well, but according to Khaled, his part will be filmed in Jamaica because he was unable to obtain a travel visa. Other performers at the NYC shoot included Ace Hood, Busta Rhymes, Twista and Rick Ross, who noted that his Maybach Music Group compilation album, Self Made, will be in stores May 24.
Fat Joe revealed he is working on new material. "We in the studio right now; we doing the new album," he said. "We doing a mixtape with Pharrell — it's crazy. Darkside 2: I'm giving it out as a mixtape for the street, and I'm coming with the album. It sounds amazing right now."
Joe Crack also mentioned a "My God" remix with Pusha T is in the pipeline. Khaled is part of Joe's Terror Squad and all of his previous albums were released via Koch Records (now E1 Entertainment). Thanks to his new alliance with Cash Money, which is distributed by Universal Motown, We the Best Forever will be Khaled's major-label debut. It should make paying the bill for bringing a dozen artists, including cameos, together for one video easier to handle.
"We're definitely in overtime, and overtime costs a lot of money," Khaled said. "But I'm real passionate about my music. I'm real passionate about winning. I'm real passionate about all my supporters out there. So, we shooting this video for you. It's a remix. We shooting this to show you this is real hip-hop right here."
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