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DJ Khaled Reminds Donald Trump That 'Every Leader Should Have Love'

Not many of us can command the attention of millions with a simple phrase.

ByABC News
December 9, 2016, 12:48 PM

— -- Not many of us can command the attention of millions with a simple phrase. Very few of us could write songs that become anthems of inspiration. But Snapchat king and music mogul DJ Khaled seems to know the way to finding those sweet spots. Just look at his life.

PHOTO: DJ Khaled performs onstage during the 2016 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater, Nov. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles.
DJ Khaled performs onstage during the 2016 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater, Nov. 20, 2016, in Los Angeles.

Khaled stopped by the ABC studios this week just after snagging a Grammy nod for Best Rap Album of the year. He talked about his Grammy nomination and his apparent string of good fortune.

"This is an accomplishment, especially because this album and this year has been like a big year for me," DJ Khaled said. "It’s something I’ve always worked hard and dreamt [of], so I’m very grateful for it."

And talk about your sweet spots! DJ Khaled's Grammy nomination comes the very same week that his first book is released. It's called "The Keys." And it's already on The New York Times bestsellers list. But why would a hit music maker and social media giant want to add a book to the mix?

PHOTO: DJ Khaled at ABC Studios, Dec. 7, 2016
DJ Khaled at ABC Studios, Dec. 7, 2016

"I always wanted to be an author. It felt good and was the right time," the New Orleans native, 41, told ABC News. "With all the blessings I was getting with 'The Keys,' you know, I was like I know it’s time to tell the world my journey of how I got here. But also give them keys that I know that worked."

DJ Khaled added that he wants to "uplift the young world and inspire them because when I was growing up, they hid the keys from me."

In the book, DJ Khaled's keys to success include tips on staying away from your enemies and glorifying your own success.

DJ Khaled, a devout Muslim, made headlines earlier this year when he expressed concern over then-presidential candidate Donald Trump's proposed ban on nearly all Muslims from overseas. When asked what keys to success he'd share with the now president-elect, Khaled said there's only one needed.

"The key is love. Love is the key," he said. "Every leader should have love. Because we’ve got to feel that love. Love is the key."

It's that kind of positive thinking that anyone who follows Khaled's path has grown to expect. His songs offer the kind of inspiration and motivation that may account for the over 70 million video views of his big chart-topper, "All I do Is Win."

He said it's important to stay focused.

"It’s a lot going on in the world, a lot of great things," DJ Khaled said. "I don’t want to be part of the negative things. It’s just something I don’t want to be a part of. It’s something I don’t invite in my air space."

Khaled added that it's his 7-week-old son, Ashad, who now inspires him.

"My son is my biggest blessing. Everything is for my son. We’re so grateful to have life," he said.

"But just to see a new life come, and it’s my son. I look at him like it’s me. So it’s like everything’s for him. And he’s brought me joy and happiness more than words could really explain it. My son is everything."

Khaled hopes to spread even more of his positive energy to the next generation. He has been named the national spokesman for Get Schooled, a nonprofit put in place to motivate students to graduate from high school and succeed in college.

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