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How to live life according to DJ Khaled’s keys to success

How much more blessed can you be if you actually followed Khaled's many major keys? We put them to the test

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Music mogul. Producer. DJ. CEO. The hip-hop Quincy Jones. These are just some of the terms DJ Khaled used to describe himself when interviewed by talk show queen Ellen DeGeneres recently. The social media phenomenon (just named one of Time’s 30 most influential people on the internet) was on Ellen’s show discussing his recent partnership with Apple Music, his positive outlook on life, and who “they” are. Anyone that follows Khaled on Snapchat (djkhaled305) knows his snaps are full of inspirational quotes, celebrities, and his famed “keys to success.” Feeling inspired after watching his Ellen interview, I decided to spend a day following some of Khaled’s best-known keys to determine if they can actually benefit by life. 

 

  • Words: Tobias Handke

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01. “Watch your back, but more importantly, when you get out the shower, dry your back. It’s a cold world out there”

This is sage advice from Khaled and one key I’m proud to say I already follow. On a daily basis I might add. I feel this is something most people who shower do, so I think we can all tick this one off as a successful key. If all Khaled’s advice is this simple today will be a breeze.

02. “The key to more success is coco butter”

I had an ex-girlfriend who used to lather herself in cocoa butter every morning, and boy, did she smell great. While always tempted to bathe in the sweet smelling lotion myself, I always held back, until today. Trying out Khaled’s favourite brand, Palmers, for the first time, I have to say I’m converted. Not only do I smell fabulous, but I swear my skin feels smoother and has a glow about it. Key achieved.


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03. “They don’t want you to have an amazing breakfast”

According to Khaled, breakfast is a major key to success. Especially egg whites. This is all well and good for Khaled, who has a personal chef on hand to cook him a delicious and healthy breakfast whenever he likes. For a single male like myself, breakfast is usually toast and vegemite, and that’s only if I’ve got time. Today I treat myself to a flavoursome bagel from local café, New Day Rising. Do I feel better having not let them stop me eating breakfast? Damn right I do.


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04. “They don’t want you to exercise”

“They” didn’t want me to eat breakfast but I did. Next up, it’s time to exercise. While not the fittest man alive, I’m in reasonable shape and take in the pleasant surroundings of the Parkville Running Route down Carlton way. I didn’t set any records and am pretty sure a 60-year-old jogger lapped me, but I do feel better for spending an hour out and about in the sun and being active.

05. “The key to more success is to always have a fresh cut”

It’s been six months since my last haircut so I was well overdue to see a barber. As someone who doesn’t get a cut often and isn’t a fan of paying over the odds, I was pleasantly surprised by the folks at Barber Black Sheep in Brunswick. The guys there fixed my hair and beard for 40 bones while supplying a free beer. Bonus. I admit it feels good to have a bit of style and my beard in order. Khaled knows what he’s talking about.

06. “They will close the door on you, just open it”

While this is more of a metaphorical piece of advice about overcoming adversity, in daily life it’s still just as important. The amount of people who don’t hold doors open is crazy. I often find myself having doors closed in my face so I don’t have to try too hard to complete this one.

07. “Apples. The key to more success”

Who would have thought something as simple as an apple could lead to success? Khaled is a big fan of apples, especially the liquid type that are used for Ciroc Apple vodka, a brand he’s often Snapchatting and tweeting about. I prefer my apples green and solid, so I avoid the liquid kind and have one with my lunch. I don’t feel any different but it sure is tasty.

08. “The key is not to drive your jetski in the dark”

DJ Khaled getting lost at sea on his jetski is the greatest story ever captured on Snapchat (watch here). Having stopped off at rapper Rick Ross’ house for a bite to eat, Khaled took off home in the dark and managed to get himself lost in the entwining Miami canals. Now I don’t have access to a jetski or the open water like Khaled, but in Melbourne we do have Albert Park Lake, so I trekked down there to the Boatshed and hired a paddleboat. Ok, so not as exciting as Khaled’s story and I did it during the day, but I quite enjoy the tranquil surroundings and even got to feed the ducks.


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09. “The key to more success is to get a massage once a week”

Now we’re talking. If there’s any piece of advice Khaled’s going to give that I’m prepared to fully embrace, it’s having a massage. Stopping by Let’s Relax in Brunswick I splashed out on a Deep Tissue Oil Massage. While a little extra in pric,e I wanted to feel as successful as Khaled, even if I’m not making bank. After a hard day of exercise and paddle-boating, this is just what I need. It’s fair to say I leave feeling relaxed and refreshed, with this being my favourite key so far.


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010. “The key to more success is to have a lot of pillows. A lot”

I’m already a big believer in pillows so already have this key to success sorted. At anyone time there’s roughly six to eight pillows on my bed. Excessive? Maybe.  Comfortable? You better believe it. After a long day following Khaled’s keys to success all I want is to sink into bed surrounded by pillows and dream of my success.

So do I feel successful? Not really. Did I achieve anything amazing? No. The day was more exhausting than anything. I don’t think I’ll ever reach DJ Khaled levels of success, but that’s cool. What I did take out of the experience is it’s the small things in life, like having a massage or eating a healthy delicious breakfast that make you feel happy with life, and that’s all that matters really. Bless up.