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).
THANKFUL
DJ Khaled Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh (We The Best Music)
Ooh, ooh, ooh (another one)
DJ Khaled
And I know that somebody been prayin' for me
Head above ground and I could've been six feet deep
Out on these streets, when I get down on my knees
I'm thankful (I'm thankful), I'm thankful (I'm thankful)
I'ma blow this bag for everybody who counted me out
And I still got love for all my dawgs who holdin' me down
Head above ground for my niggas and my dons
I'm thankful (I'm thankful), I'm thankful (I'm thankful)
I done dodged a few heartbreaks, yeah
Never lost a thing I can't replace yet
Couple times, thought I wouldn't make it (thought I wouldn't make it)
Then I came up ten toes out the basement
I done had to mute, fuck noise
Did a couple things, they left me no choice
I done hit some licks that my mama won't be proud of
Said we gon' be rich, give her somethin' she can smile for
The devil on the block and he lurkin'
Tryna hit me up with a dozen
But when I look around, shit ain't worth it
That's for certain, yeah
And I know that somebody been prayin' for me
Head above ground and I could've been six feet deep
Out on these streets, when I get down on my knees
I'm thankful (I'm thankful), I'm thankful (I'm thankful)
I'ma blow this bag for everybody who counted me out
And I still got love for all my dawgs who holdin' me down
Head above ground for my niggas and my dons
I'm thankful (I'm thankful), I'm thankful (I'm thankful)
But I'm still out here makin' moves, ooh
I'ma do what I got to, I'ma do what I got to
Too many niggas gone too soon (I'm gonna do what I got to)
Ain't tryna lay up in a box two feet wide, six deep
You won't catch no R.I.P.'s off me
I'ma do what I got to (I'ma do what I got to) (I'ma do what I got to)
I'm gonna do what I got to (I'ma do what I got to)
Somebody's been prayin' for me, for me
I could've been six feet deep
When I get down on my knees, I'm thankful (I'm thankful)
I'm thankful
I'ma blow this bag for everybody who counted me out (everybody who counted me out)
And I still got love for all my dawgs who holdin' me down (holdin' me down)
Head above ground for my niggas and my dons
I'm thankful (I'm thankful)
I'm thankful (I'm thankful)
I'm thankful (I'm thankful)
Sit down, be thankful
Big smile although it's painful
I look up and see clouds, weed angels
Seen white chalk make street angels
You're welcome, look down, feet dangles
Be proud, be shameless
Yeah, be now, be ancient
Yeah, it been my turn, let me cut off these blinkers
I cut off these strangers and ifs ands and buts of the strangers
I never relinquish, I'm thankin' Franklin as an acquaintance
Destiny danger, I done seen from every angle
From my neck to my ankle, the spots on this leopard ain't changin'
Nigga, that's for the wankstas, 50 told me that, I say thank you
I been got the bag, I done turned that to the blanket
I been out of hand so I don't wanna dap 'less you bangin'
I'm bein' quiet, man, just waitin' for these rappers to thank me, de nada
And I know that somebody been prayin' for me
Head above ground and I could've been six feet deep
Out on these streets, when I get down on my knees
I'm thankful (I'm thankful), I'm thankful (I'm thankful)
I'ma blow this bag for everybody who counted me out
And I still got love for all my dawgs who holdin' me down
Head above ground for my niggas and my dons
I'm thankful (I'm thankful), I'm thankful (I'm thankful)
But I'm still out here makin' moves, ooh
I'ma do what I got to, I'ma do what I got to
Too many niggas gone too soon (I'm gonna do what I got to)
Ain't tryna lay up in a box two feet wide, six deep
You won't catch no R.I.P.'s off me
I'ma do what I got to (I'ma do what I got to) (I'ma do what I got to)
I'ma do what I got to (I'm gonna do what I got to)
Sit down, be thankful
Big smile although it's painful
I look up and see clouds, weed angels
Seen white chalk make street angels
You're welcome, look down, feet dangles
Be proud, be shameless
Yeah, be now, be ancient (be ancient)
Yeah (yeah, yeah)
The lyrics of DJ Khaled's song "Thankful" express gratitude for life and the ability to overcome adversity with the help of prayer and support from loved ones. The song's opening lines acknowledge the power of prayer and the fact that someone has been praying for the artist's well-being, enabling him to stay alive despite the dangers of the streets. Khaled reflects on the challenges he's faced, including heartbreak, difficult decisions, and the temptations of the criminal lifestyle. Despite the hardships, he remains grateful and determined to succeed.
Throughout the song, Khaled expresses his appreciation for the loyalty of his friends and supporters who have "held him down," or supported him through tough times. He is also determined to help those who counted him out, as he plans to "blow this bag" or use his resources to make a difference. At the same time, he acknowledges the many Black men who have died too young and expresses a desire to avoid the same tragic fate. The song ends with a call to be proud, shameless, and ancient, or connected to one's roots and history.
Overall, "Thankful" is a powerful tribute to the resilience and perseverance of people who face adversity, but manage to find hope and gratitude through the support of their loved ones and their faith.
Line by Line Meaning
And I know that somebody been prayin' for me
I am aware that someone out there has been praying for my safety and success
Head above ground and I could've been six feet deep
I am aware of being alive and well, yet I could've died on these streets
Out on these streets, when I get down on my knees
Despite my tough life on the streets, I still take the time to pray and be grateful
I'm thankful (I'm thankful), I'm thankful (I'm thankful)
I am expressing my gratitude for the people in my life who support and believe in me
I'ma blow this bag for everybody who counted me out
I will spend my money to show people who didn't believe in me that I made it
And I still got love for all my dawgs who holdin' me down
I still love and appreciate my friends who have always been there for me
Head above ground for my niggas and my dons
I'm grateful to be alive for my friends and my family
I done dodged a few heartbreaks, yeah
I have narrowly avoided some tough situations that could have broken my heart
Never lost a thing I can't replace yet
I have never lost anything that I can't recover or replace
Couple times, thought I wouldn't make it (thought I wouldn't make it)
A few times, I thought I might not survive or succeed
Then I came up ten toes out the basement
I emerged victorious and successful from a difficult place
I done had to mute, fuck noise
I have had to ignore or silence the negativity and distractions around me
Did a couple things, they left me no choice
I have done some things out of necessity because I had no other option
I done hit some licks that my mama won't be proud of
I have taken some questionable actions that would disappoint my mother
Said we gon' be rich, give her somethin' she can smile for
I promised my mother that I will be successful so that she can be happy and proud of me
The devil on the block and he lurkin'
There are negative, harmful forces in my surroundings, waiting to cause me trouble
Tryna hit me up with a dozen
They are trying to ruin my life with a dozen different problems
But when I look around, shit ain't worth it
However, when I consider my life and my blessings, these problems are not worth it
But I'm still out here makin' moves, ooh
Despite these challenges, I am still actively pursuing my goals and making progress
Too many niggas gone too soon (I'm gonna do what I got to)
Many people have died young, so I will do what it takes to survive and thrive
Ain't tryna lay up in a box two feet wide, six deep
I have no interest in dying and getting buried in a small, deep box
You won't catch no R.I.P.'s off me
I do not want people to mourn my death, because I am determined to live a long life
Sit down, be thankful
I am advising people to take a moment to be grateful for what they have
Big smile although it's painful
Even though life can be tough, we should try to maintain a positive attitude and smile
I look up and see clouds, weed angels
Sometimes, we see beauty and wonder in unexpected places, such as in clouds when we smoke weed
Seen white chalk make street angels
Unfortunately, we also see people who have died and become angels on the streets, marked by white chalk
You're welcome, look down, feet dangles
I am telling people that they are welcome to thank me, but they should also be humble and grounded
Be proud, be shameless
Be proud of who you are and do not be ashamed of your past or your present circumstances
Yeah, be now, be ancient
Live in the present moment but also embrace your history and your roots
It been my turn, let me cut off these blinkers
It is now my time to succeed, so I will get rid of anything that might distract me or hold me back
I cut off these strangers and ifs ands and buts of the strangers
I remove the negative people and the uncertainty in my life that could hinder my success
I never relinquish, I'm thankin' Franklin as an acquaintance
I never give up on my goals, and I am grateful to have money and success like Benjamin Franklin as my ally
Destiny danger, I done seen from every angle
I am aware of the dangers and risks that come with pursuing my destiny, but I have seen it from all angles
From my neck to my ankle, the spots on this leopard ain't changin'
I am proud of who I am, from head to toe, and I remain true to myself and my values
Nigga, that's for the wankstas, 50 told me that, I say thank you
I take advice from 50 Cent and disregard anyone who is not genuine or authentic
I been got the bag, I done turned that to the blanket
I have made a lot of money and I am using it wisely to protect and warm myself and my loved ones
I been out of hand so I don't wanna dap 'less you bangin'
I have been misbehaving, so I will not shake hands with anyone unless they are loyal and trustworthy
I'm bein' quiet, man, just waitin' for these rappers to thank me, de nada
I will stay silent about my contributions and wait for other rappers to acknowledge and thank me, without expecting anything
I'ma do what I got to (I'm gonna do what I got to)
I will do what it takes to succeed, even if it is difficult or uncomfortable
Yeah, be now, be ancient (be ancient)
Keep up with the times but also honor the traditions and wisdom of the past
Yeah (yeah, yeah)
Just a simple affirmation or approval
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dan Walsh, Dwayne Carter, Jeremy P. Felton, Khaled Khaled, Michael Alan Price
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@amaniadams2907
Give Lil Wayne His Flowers While He's Still Here!!
@InvestmentIdea
https://youtu.be/B-y_e_2spLM
@tatumchapman9711
yess!!
@travosavage2226
🌹🥀
@riddimboss4184
https://youtu.be/wwYrbrxQXLA
@rashaudscott2170
Do you really mean that or just what likes?
@HankySwiss
i just live what he feels! Thank you!
@bettercalltoro7662
A like for Jeremih and Lil Wayne, in the game strong as we found em
@toplegends1548
https://youtu.be/_fz8YL6ynP4
@katybarata6059
Thankful lil Wayne was there to make my childhood lit 🙌