The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Joe and Jada - DJ Khaled on Kendrick Lamar–Drake & 50 Cent–Fat Joe Beefs, Jay-Z & Beyoncé, Jadakiss Top 5 DOA

Date: September 11, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of The Herd brings together hip hop powerhouses Joe Budden, Jadakiss, and special guest DJ Khaled for a high-energy conversation covering rap beefs (Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake, 50 Cent vs. Fat Joe), the art of collaboration and brotherhood in the music industry, career-defining moments with icons like Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Big Pun, and insights on legacy, success, and purpose. True to form, the banter is both hilarious and heartfelt, with iconic stories, industry advice, and authenticity for days. The trio dives deep into DJ Khaled's storied career, the importance of unity in hip hop, preserving the culture, and why real love always trumps hate.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power of Unity and Collaboration in Hip Hop

[07:27–10:24]

• DJ Khaled describes his behind-the-scenes role as a unifier in the face of rap beefs (Fat Joe vs. 50 Cent, Ross vs. Jeezy, Beanie Sigel vs. Jadakiss), emphasizing reconciliation over division:

  “I’m the one out the crew that always says, ‘Yo, we don’t need that. We need to come together. We need love. We need positivity…’ At the end of the day, it’s I love my brothers, and my brothers know that.” – DJ Khaled [09:46]

• Khaled credits miscommunication and lack of dialogue as the root causes of most beefs:

  “A lot of this shit is a misunderstanding and a lot of not communication, okay? That’s what it be about…” – DJ Khaled [09:46]

• On the Kendrick–Drake fallout: Khaled, while not intervening directly, underscored the value of staying out of negativity and always choosing love.

2. Staying Grounded Amidst Success & Wealth

[13:33–15:37]

• Khaled grounds his reality in faith and family, despite worldwide fame:

  “God is reality. That’s the problem… Keeping it real? Keep it God. Keep it God.” – DJ Khaled [13:47] “My job is to protect my kids and my wife. That’s my job, and that’s my life.” – DJ Khaled [14:15]

• Flying and conquering fear after the birth of his son, to inspire and provide for family.

3. Giving Back and Creating Opportunity

[15:37–17:04]

• Khaled describes giving back as a core part of life, from his earliest days:

  “When I was broke, I was giving back… We’ve been giving back from day one, that’s what we do.” – DJ Khaled [15:56]

• Shout-out to his chef (Chef Melissa) and his tendency to surround himself with the best, not just hit-makers but people who feed and nurture the team.

4. Industry Advice: The Hustle Never Stops

[17:23–18:53]

• Khaled urges artists to return to the basics – personal connection with fans, hard work, and self-promotion:

  “The game changed. The world moving so fast that they see illusion that starts a collision... It’s back to the basics… The fans gotta see you sweat. They gotta see you put in that groundwork.” – DJ Khaled [17:43]

• Examples: from passing out flyers to Cardi B’s street-level promotions.

5. The Value of Authentic Brotherhood in Hip Hop

[19:44–22:17]

• The rarity of true brotherhood and realness in the industry is celebrated:

  “Ain’t nothing like brotherhood and keeping it real. Ain’t nothing like it. Cause it’s fucking rare.” – DJ Khaled [19:44] “It’s a miracle that you guys keep it real with each other. Why has that been erased?” – Joe Budden [21:11]

• Jadakiss’ personality and authenticity are revealed in ways fans never saw before, with Joe and Khaled reflecting on how the show gives fans deeper access to their favorite artists.

6. Career Highlights: Stories of Hustle and Iconic Records

[32:52–37:56 & 46:12–55:25]

• DJ Khaled recounts milestones from his career trajectory: relentless networking, chasing features from legends, and A&Ring classic records.

  “I was climbing over mansion gates just to get guys on records…” – Joe Budden [34:19] “One of the most consistent, relentless… knock down your doorknob Khaled when he needs his verse.” – Jadakiss [34:34]

• Stories of making records like “Brown Paper Bag,” building the Maybach Music series with Ross and Jadakiss, and how clubhouse moments turn into anthems.

7. The Business of Success & What Truly Matters

[38:08–41:32]

• Humorous exchange over who’s got the “biggest check,” but Khaled refocuses on gratitude:

  “None was ever given to me… It’s not about the number amount we make… When I talk to my mother… and I know that I’m taking care of my mother or father, they ain’t got to pay for nothing… That’s what it’s about.” – DJ Khaled [38:14, 40:15]

8. Top Miami Anthems & DJ Top Fives

[59:32–61:08, 91:25–95:32]

• Miami Anthem Mount Rushmore: Trick Daddy, Uncle Luke, Remy Ma, Rick Ross’ “Hustlin’,” and DJ Khaled’s own records.
• Top 5 DJs of All Time: Kid Capri, Funkmaster Flex, DJ Clark Kent, DJ Premier, and a tie between various legendary mixtape DJs (SNS, Clue, etc.).

  “I just remember, SNS premiering Onyx — ‘Slam, slam, slam’… that particular song, if you go back to that tape, the way he premiered that and his voice…” – DJ Khaled [93:44]

9. The Art of Iconic Collaboration (Jay-Z, Beyoncé, God Did, etc.)

[62:03–73:23]

• The story of how “Shining” with Jay-Z and Beyoncé was born from a spark at Zuma restaurant, delivered through Shazam and relentless follow-up.
• Getting a historic verse from Jay-Z for “God Did,” and the meticulous studio process behind it.

  “I played him shining instrumental. I’m like, ‘Yo, I need you on this.’ And he was like this, look…” – DJ Khaled [63:18] “That was a goddamn moment.” – DJ Khaled on “God Did” [71:19]

10. Preserving and Representing the Culture

[76:06–78:19]

• The trio closes with a passionate argument for authenticity, humility, and cultural preservation:

  “As much as they don’t want us to win, there’s actually more that want us to win… If you speaking authentic as Joe and Jada, you can’t question that.” – DJ Khaled [75:26] "This is the culture, but this is for the culture." – DJ Khaled [76:19]

• Khaled emphasizes the insignificance of hate compared to love:

  “The hate is loud… but the love is massive.” – DJ Khaled [76:50]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [09:46] DJ Khaled: “When it comes down to DJ Khaled, I’m the one that’s going to try to fix it. I don’t want no trophy, I don’t want no promotion…I guarantee you they know that. That’s what I’m about.”
• [13:47] DJ Khaled: “God is reality. That’s the problem…Keep it God.”
• [15:56] DJ Khaled: “Ever since I knew what life was, I been giving back. When I was broke, I was giving back, and I’m always going to give back.”
• [17:43] DJ Khaled: “The game changed…if the shit ain’t potent, that shit lasts for a day or two. So it’s back to the basics.”
• [19:44] DJ Khaled: “Ain’t nothing like brotherhood and keeping it real. Cause it’s fucking rare. Ain’t nothing like it.”
• [25:44] Joe Budden: “The reason we love TNT is because Charles Barkley is a Hall of Famer…People want people who really played the game, from the bottom to the top.”
• [32:52] DJ Khaled: “I’m not trying to prove nothing. My only competition is me.”
• [38:14] DJ Khaled: “None was ever given to me.”
• [40:15] DJ Khaled: “The best thing I ever did for my blessings…when I talk to my mother…and I know that I’m taking care of my mother or father…that’s what it’s about.”
• [59:53] Jadakiss: “That’s on Mount Rushmore!” (on Miami anthems)
• [61:08] DJ Khaled: “My catalog is several greatest hits. Not one greatest hits—several different parts of greatest hits.”
• [76:50] DJ Khaled: “Hate is loud and annoying. But real hustlers, true hustlers, always big each other up.”
• [91:09] DJ Khaled: “If anybody want to take time and look at the titles from the beginning of my albums to where I’m at now, you look at my life at that time. I lived that title.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [07:27] – Khaled explains his role in squashing rap beefs & the energy of unity
• [13:47] – On grounding himself in God and family
• [17:43] – The changing landscape of music promotion and “the basics”
• [25:44] – Joe Budden draws parallels between sports commentary and hip hop authenticity
• [32:52] – DJ Khaled reflects on staying focused and self-competition, not outside noise
• [38:14] – Wealth, gratitude, and what really matters
• [46:12] – Iconic Big Pun stories; studying with legends in the studio
• [59:32] – Top Five Miami Anthems
• [62:03] – The story of making “Shining” with Jay-Z and the Queen
• [71:19] – The process of “God Did” and Jay-Z’s marathon verse
• [76:50] – Why hate is small and love dwarfs it in the bigger picture
• [91:09] – DJ Khaled on living out the titles of his albums

Tone and Atmosphere

The episode brims with heartfelt brotherhood, raw honesty, and legendary war stories—punctuated by the signature exuberance and humor of Joe, Jada, and Khaled. The banter is playful, sometimes over-the-top, but always grounded in respect and deep affection for hip hop’s past, present, and future.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a masterclass in hip hop culture, business, and legacy—combining inside jokes and “you had to be there” stories with universal lessons about grinding, gratitude, and keeping it real. DJ Khaled, Joe Budden, and Jadakiss don’t just talk about success—they embody the passion, loyalty, and creativity that’s kept them at the top of the game.