Major Key (album)
Major Key (stylized as Major 🔑) is the ninth studio album by American musician DJ Khaled. It was released on July 29, 2016, by Epic Records and We the Best Music Group. The album features guest appearances from Future, Big Sean, Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Drake, Nas, Kendrick Lamar, Betty Wright, J. Cole, Bryson Tiller, Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, August Alsina, Jeremih, Kodak Black, Jeezy, French Montana, YG, Yo Gotti, Gucci Mane, 2 Chainz, Jadakiss, Fabolous, Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes, Kent Jones, Travis Scott, Lil Wayne, Meghan Trainor, Wiz Khalifa, Wale and Mavado.
This article is about the DJ Khaled album. For major key as the gravity in a Western musical scale, see Key (music).Major Key
July 29, 2016
57:53
- DJ Khaled (exec.)
- 808-Ray
- Ben Billions
- The Beat Bully
- Cool & Dre
- DJ Nasty & LVM
- Dyryk
- Edsclusive
- Frank Dukes
- G Koop
- Hollywood JB
- Jake One
- Jordan Ullman
- Kent Jones
- Key Wane
- Lee on the Beats
- Meghan Trainor
- Metro Boomin
- Frankie Cutlass
- Michael Foster
- Mineral Boss Productions
- Nineteen85
- Qolorsound
- Southside
- TBHits
- Travis Sayles
- Travis Scott
Major Key was supported by four singles: "For Free", "I Got the Keys", "Holy Key" and "Do You Mind". The album received generally positive reviews from critics and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in November 2016. The album received a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album.
Background[edit]
The album's title and themes originate from Khaled's recently raised profile in social media. In late 2015, Khaled became highly popular on Snapchat, sharing his advice that he calls his "keys to success", utilizing the 'key' emoji as a symbol of his knowledge.[2] The album's title is also a play on words, alluding simultaneously to the major mode and songs being performed in a major key. Some songs featured in this album, like "For Free" featuring Drake, have Khaled announcing the album name in the beginning of the song, shortly after announcing his record label, like in many other recent songs.
Release and promotion[edit]
On April 12, 2016, DJ Khaled announced that he has signed a record deal to Epic Records. He also made the announcement that the title to the album would be called Major Key.[3] On April 18, DJ Khaled joined Beyoncé on her The Formation World Tour.[4] On Twitter, Future hinted that the song with DJ Khaled and Jay-Z was going to be a single for the album.[5] On May 28, 2016, DJ Khaled shot and posted a photo for the album cover artwork, featuring him sitting on a throne, and a bunch of flowers surrounding him and a live lion.[6]
Recording and production[edit]
In an interview with DJ Whoo Kid, record producer Southside revealed that he was producing a song for DJ Khaled, Jay-Z and Future's single.[7] In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, DJ Khaled spoke about the album and revealing on who the guest appearances stated "I've got another record with me, Future, and Jay Z. I want to clarify and make sure everybody knows that I have two verses from Jay Z on this record with me and Future. Amongst other artists, me and Kanye West, we talking right now about making something special. Me and Rick Ross. Ross is definitely on the album. Lil Wayne, Big Sean, Chris Brown, August Alsina, Travis Scott, the list goes on."[8] He also hinted that he was going to collaborate with artists such as Mariah Carey and Drake on his Snapchat and Instagram.[6] DJ Khaled slated that the album would have no more than 14 songs.[9]
Singles[edit]
The official lead single from Major Key, "For Free", was released on June 3, 2016.[10] The song features a guest appearance from Canadian rapper Drake, with production by Nineteen85 and Jordan Ullman, co produced by Frankie Cutlass. The track premiered on Beats 1, during an interview with Zane Lowe and Khaled.[11]
The official second single from Major Key, "I Got the Keys", was released on June 4, 2016. The song features guest appearances from American rappers Future and Jay-Z, with production by Southside, Jake One and G Koop.[12] The music video was released after the 2016 BET Awards.[13]
On July 22, 2016, DJ Khaled would premiered his third single from the album, "Holy Key" featuring Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean and Betty Wright, during episode 24 of his primetime radio show We The Best Radio on Beats 1 radio.[14]
"Do You Mind" featuring Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown, August Alsina, Jeremih, Future and Rick Ross, was released as the fourth single on July 28, 2016.[15]
Commercial performance[edit]
In its home country of the United States, Major Key debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, with 96,000 equivalent album units, marking Khaled's first number one album.[31] While it was the best-selling album of the week, selling 59,000 copies in its first week.[32] The album sales launch is DJ Khaled's second-biggest first week in his career, behind We the Best (2007).[31] In its second week, the album remained in the top ten at Billboard 200, fell to number seven, with 43,000 equivalent album units, it sold 12,000 copies.[33][34] On September 27, 2019, Major Key was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[35]
Track notes
Sample credits