His fifth studio album We the Best Forever (2011) also saw similar commercial success, and helped bring Khaled to international prominence, as it featured the song "I'm on One", which was his first top ten hit. His sixth and seventh albums, Kiss the Ring (2012) and Suffering from Success (2013), charted in the top ten on the Billboard 200, and his eighth studio album, I Changed a Lot (2015), peaked at number 12.[5] In 2015 and 2016, Khaled gained worldwide attention as a media personality, due to his activity on social media. This foresaw the release of his ninth studio album Major Key (2016), which gained critical and commercial success; it debuted at number one the Billboard 200, was certified gold, and received a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album.
He released his tenth studio album, Grateful, in 2017, which contained the singles "I'm the One" and "Wild Thoughts", which charted at number one and number two on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, and was also certified platinum. His eleventh album, Father of Asahd, was released in 2019; it peaked at number two, and the song "Higher" won Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, Khaled's first Grammy award win. His eponymous twelfth album was released in 2021.
Outside of music, Khaled has gained success as a writer, with his book The Keys featuring on the New York Times Best Seller list. He has also featured as an actor, appearing in Spies in Disguise (2019) and Bad Boys for Life (2020).
Hells Kitchen
DJ Khaled Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, back from the dead
Like Michael Jackson in red jackets, with naps in my head
Who's white or black, it's a rare package
Get smacked if you said that I'm neck and neck with these square rappers
My guest room's got plantinum plaques, and an air mattress
No time for furniture shopping, too busy burnin' you
Word to Pac, I'm plottin' to murder you
Sure the thought can occur to you
My next album flop, then I'm goin pop, like Nelly
With tops dropped on convertible Porsches
Born Sinner, not burning no crosses
Might burn a couple bridges, I'm losing by double digits
I gotta do somethin'
Fightin' depression I'm trying my nigga
But everytime I think about it I'm cryin' my nigga
Cried myself to sleep on thousand dollar sheets
I reak of the scent of a vendetta that's deep
I'm playing for keeps, but you ain't think I'd bounce back
They love to hear black nigga count stacks, count stacks
Forty thousand in my pocket (you see it)
Another twenty on the way (you see it, ay)
I got a fish for a dollar (you see it, uh)
Five hundred for the Jays (you see it, ay)
I get money out the ass (you see it)
I thought I'd never see the day (you see it, ay)
They put a price on my head (you see it)
But they don't ever have to pay (you see it, ay)
I fell down on my knees and yeah I prayed
'Cause heaven seems a million miles away
I dreamed of all the things that I would say
On that day
But for now I'm cooking up in hells kitchen, hells kitchen
Nigga fuck you and your fake well wishing
Now get out of hells kitchen, hells kitchen
Tell my story I'm just hopin' they'll listen
Cooking up in hells kitchen, hells kitchen
Nigga fuck you and your fake well wishing
I get out of hells kitchen, hells kitchen, one day, hey
Yeah
Omission's usually, an admission to guilt
Hari Kari yourself, all the way to the hilt
You get nothin', no love
Zip, zero, zilch
We don't mention you lames, man I be pleadin' the fifth
There's a Judas in every crew, concealed in a kiss
Kiss of death, let's put the rest all to tedious bits
Fucks sake you niggas emanate a feminines traits
Bitch nigga when could never relate
Nah, cause man you niggas is birds
You learn that at bird school, or somethin'
You eaten that bird food, or somethin'
You sick with that bird flu, or somethin'
That's my word, cause every where I turn
When folks I known for years, that couldn't pronounce my name
And asking me for pics, there's something bout this game
It's somethin' for the bitches, it's somethin' for the bitches
Forty thousand in my pocket (you see it)
Another twenty on the way (you see it, ay)
I got a fish for a dollar (you see it, uh)
Five hundred for the Jays (you see it, ay)
I get money out the ass (you see it)
I thought I'd never see the day (you see it, ay)
They put a price on my head (You see it)
But they don't ever have to pay (you see it, ay)
I fell down on my knees and yeah I prayed
'Cause heaven seems a million miles away
I dreamed of all the things that I would say
On that day
But for now I'm cooking up in hells kitchen, hells kitchen
Nigga fuck you and your fake well wishing
Now get out of hells kitchen, hells kitchen
Tell my story I'm just hopin' they'll listen
Cooking up in hells kitchen, hells kitchen
Nigga fuck you and your fake well wishing
I get out of hells kitchen, hells kitchen, one day, hey
In the song "Hells Kitchen" by DJ Khaled, rapper J. Cole uses the verse to express his frustrations with the music industry and his desire for success. Cole compares himself to Michael Jackson, stating that he's back from the dead, a reference to his rise in the music industry after years of hard work. He also talks about the rarity and uniqueness of his talent but acknowledges that he's still in competition with "square rappers" who don't understand his artistry.
Cole also reveals some personal struggles he is going through, including depression and the pressure to succeed. He talks about his fear of failing and going pop like Nelly, a sentiment that many artists can relate to. Despite all his struggles, Cole is determined to keep moving forward and working hard to achieve success. He likens his journey to cooking up in hells kitchen, a metaphor for the tough and unforgiving music industry.
The chorus of the song also expresses Cole's frustration with fake well-wishers who only care about his success and not about him as a person. He talks about his desire to tell his story, but he's not sure if anyone is listening. Overall, "Hells Kitchen" is a gritty and honest portrayal of the challenges and triumphs of being a successful artist.
Line by Line Meaning
Cole World, DJ Khaled!
Introducing himself and DJ Khaled
Yeah, back from the dead
Like Michael Jackson in red jackets, with naps in my head
Comparing his return to music to Michael Jackson's comeback, also referencing his hair
Who's white or black, it's a rare package
Get smacked if you said that I'm neck and neck with these square rappers
Asserting his uniqueness and warning anyone who compares him to other rappers
My guest room's got plantinum plaques, and an air mattress
No time for furniture shopping, too busy burnin' you
Watching you, learning you
Word to Pac, I'm plottin' to murder you
Sure the thought can occur to you
Boasting about his success and fame, while also warning his rivals that he is watching and ready to defeat them. Referencing Tupac's line 'I'm plottin' to murder you'
My next album flop, then I'm goin pop, like Nelly
With tops dropped on convertible Porsches
Born Sinner, not burning no crosses
Might burn a couple bridges, I'm losing by double digits
I gotta do somethin'
Fightin' depression I'm trying my nigga
But everytime I think about it I'm cryin' my nigga
Cried myself to sleep on thousand dollar sheets
I reak of the scent of a vendetta that's deep
I'm playing for keeps, but you ain't think I'd bounce back
They love to hear black nigga count stacks, count stacks
Acknowledging the pressure to maintain success, possible failure and repercussions, while also opening up about depression and his struggles. Stating that he has a vendetta against anyone who doubted him
Forty thousand in my pocket (you see it)
Another twenty on the way (you see it, ay)
I got a fish for a dollar (you see it, uh)
Five hundred for the Jays (you see it, ay)
I get money out the ass (you see it)
I thought I'd never see the day (you see it, ay)
They put a price on my head (you see it)
But they don't ever have to pay (you see it, ay)
I fell down on my knees and yeah I prayed
'Cause heaven seems a million miles away
I dreamed of all the things that I would say
On that day
But for now I'm cooking up in hells kitchen, hells kitchen
Nigga fuck you and your fake well wishing
Now get out of hells kitchen, hells kitchen
Tell my story I'm just hopin' they'll listen
Cooking up in hells kitchen, hells kitchen
Nigga fuck you and your fake well wishing
I get out of hells kitchen, hells kitchen, one day, hey
Boasting about wealth and success while acknowledging the negative aspects of fame including threats to his safety. Expressing his desire to eventually leave his current struggles behind and achieve even more success
Omission's usually, an admission to guilt
Hari Kari yourself, all the way to the hilt
You get nothin', no love
Zip, zero, zilch
We don't mention you lames, man I be pleadin' the fifth
There's a Judas in every crew, concealed in a kiss
Kiss of death, let's put the rest all to tedious bits
Fucks sake you niggas emanate a feminines traits
Bitch nigga when could never relate
Nah, cause man you niggas is birds
You learn that at bird school, or somethin'
You eaten that bird food, or somethin'
You sick with that bird flu, or somethin'
That's my word, cause every where I turn
When folks I known for years, that couldn't pronounce my name
And asking me for pics, there's something bout this game
It's somethin' for the bitches, it's somethin' for the bitches
Dismissing his critics and calling out disloyalty in the music industry. Accusing some of his rivals of exhibiting feminine traits and comparing them to birds. Expressing frustration with the superficial aspects of fame
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Khaled Khaled
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@indyat.8450
Yeah, back from the dead
Like Michael Jackson in red jackets, with naps in my head
Who's white or black, it's a rare package
Get smacked if you said that I'm neck and neck with these square rappers
My guest room's got plantinum plaques, and an air mattress
No time for furniture shopping, too busy burning you
Watching you, learning you
Word to Pac, I'm plotting to murder you
Sure the thought can occur to you
My next album flop, then I'm going pop, like Nelly
With tops dropped on convertible Porsches
Born Sinner, not burning no crosses
Might burn a couples, I'm losing by double digits
I gotta do something
Fightin' depression I'm trying my nigga
But everytime I think about it I'm crying my nigga
Cried myself to sleep on thousand dollar sheets
I reak of the scent of a vendetta that's deep
I'm playing for keeps, but you ain't think I'd bounce back
They love to hear black nigga count stacks, count stacks
Forty thousand in my pocket (You see it)
Another twenty on the way (You see it, ay)
I got a fist full of dollars (You see it, uh)
Five hundred for the Js (You see it, ay)
I get money out the ass (You see it)
I thought I'd never see the day (You see it, ay)
They put a price on my head (You see it)
But they don't ever have to pay (You see it, ay)
I fell down on my knees and yeah I prayed
Cause heaven seems a million miles away
I dreamed of all the things that I would say
On that day
But for now I'm cooking up in hells kitchen, hells kitchen
Nigga fuck you and your fake well wishing
Now get out of hells kitchen, hells kitchen
Tell my story I'm just hopin' they'll listen
Cooking up in hells kitchen, hells kitchen
Nigga fuck you and your fake well wishing
I get out of hells kitchen, hells kitchen, one day, hey
Yeah
Omission's usually, an admission to guilt
Hari Kari yourself, all the way to the hilt
You get nothin', no love
Zip, zero, zilch
We don't mention you lames, man I be pleadin' the fifth
There's a Judas in every crew, concealed in a kiss
Kiss of death, let's put the rest all to tedious bits
Fucks sake you niggas emanate a feminines traits
Bitch nigga when could never relate
Nah, cause man you niggas is birds
You learn that at bird school, or somethin'
You eaten that (undefined), or somethin'
You sick with that (undefined), or somethin'
That's my word, cause every where I turn
When folks I known for years, that couldn't pronounce my name
And asking me for pics, there's something bout this game
It's somethin' for the bitches, it's somethin' for the bitches
Forty thousand in my pocket (You see it)
Another twenty on the way (You see it, ay)
I got a fist full of dollars (You see it, uh)
Five hundred for the Js (You see it, ay)
I get money out the ass (You see it)
I thought I'd never see the day (You see it, ay)
They put a price on my head (You see it)
But they don't ever have to pay (You see it, ay)
I fell down on my knees and yeah I prayed
Cause heaven seems a million miles away
I dreamed of all the things that I would say
On that day
But for now I'm cooking up in hells kitchen, hells kitchen
Nigga fuck you and your fake well wishing
Now get out of hells kitchen, hells kitchen
Tell my story I'm just hopin' they'll listen
Cooking up in hells kitchen, hells kitchen
Nigga fuck you and your fake well wishing
I get out of hells kitchen, hells kitchen, one day, hey
@afrothe8th
Cole's verse gives me chills every time, wish his verse were longer🔥🔥
@simphiwetshabalala3444
2020 still enjoying this one like it was dropped a few weeks back!!!
@Bdair
That first verse on repeat forever
@calebstungiechihlangu7306
will always come back to this classic
@gingman49
Cole killed it (as expected) but I think Bas killed it too
@derekbarrero3511
People slept on Bas's verse Cole is obviously better but because they work together cole blows him out of the water
@mukwesamwanza1511
@@derekbarrero3511I think he's one of the few that stands his ground vs cole
@ffv7805
still to this day it's my favorite song that J Cole is in
@KaraboMothapo
listen to lost ones baby girl
@AgelessPrince
Farrah Vasquez listen to January 28