DJ Khaled, I’m the One | Track Review 🎵

DJ Khaled returns with another star-studded hit, “I’m the One” featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, and Lil Wayne.

DJ Khaled is back…again.  Does DJ Khaled ever really go away? No.  But after a big year in 2016, it’s hard to blame him.  After giving us a treat with “Shining”, featuring Beyoncé and JAY Z, he’s back with the star-studded “I’m The One.” He enlists Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, and Lil Wayne.  To quote Kendrick Lamar, “DAMN”.

Had DJ Khaled enlisted Justin Bieber alone, he would’ve had a juggernaut.  Bieber handles the pre-chorus and chorus duties, appearing at the top of the track – well – following the intro by Khaled.  The pre-chorus is where the meat lies:

“Yeah, you’re lookin’ at the truth
The money never lie, no
I’m the one, yeah, I’m the one...
And you sick of all those other imitators
Don’t let the only real one intimidate ya
See you watchin’, don’t run outta time now
I’m the one, yeah.”

Following the hook, Quavo takes the first verse.  Notably, he references Migos’ “Bad and Boujee” (“She the one that bring them rain drops”).  Essentially, he asserts himself as the real deal, as is the M.O. of the song itself.  He does drop a questionable lyric, however: “Had to pull up on your mama, see what you’re made of…”Chance the Rapper arrives on the second verse, flaunting his signature style.  Like Quavo, he argues his case for being the one:

“Plug, plug, plug, I’m the plug for her
She want a n***a that pull her hair and hold the door for her.”

Finally, Lil Wayne takes the third verse.  Surprisingly, he’s less sexual than usual and arguably, the tamest of the three rappers.  However, Wayne does reference the effects of the molly: “And when she on the molly she a zombie.”

Final Thoughts 

All in all, “I’m the One” is a bright, enjoyable record.  This isn’t the second coming, despite the hype, but Khaled certainly knows how to assemble a hit.  Undoubtedly, “I’m the One” is well on its way to giving the DJ another platinum single.

DJ Khaled • Grateful • Release: 6.23.17 

Photo Credit: Epic