DJ Khaled is offering a scholarship to foot the full tuition bill for four years to attend a Brooklyn college specializing in sports, music, and entertainment.
A DJ Khaled-sponsored scholarship will give one lucky student a full ride to the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports and Entertainment at Long Island University, People reported.
According to the LIU website, the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment’s degree programs “prepare students for a wide range of careers in performance, entrepreneurship, and all aspects of music, sports business and management.”
In 2020, Jay-Z’s Roc Nation entertainment company partnered with Brooklyn’s Long Island University to launch the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports & Entertainment. The new school began enrolling students for the fall 2021 semester, and 25% of the incoming freshmen class received Roc Nation Hope Scholarships.
For the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Technology, Entrepreneurship and Production, for example, the school offers such classes as music theory and application, music production for records, and artist management.
Undergraduate tuition at LIU is $38,684 a year.
Give Back Time
The Grammy-winning Khaled, whose net worth is estimated to be $75 million, said doing things for the community is his life mission and the lesson he and his wife, Nicole Tuck, want to give to children.
“Giving back has always been a priority in my life and her life. We’re raising our kids to see that you have to work hard but also always give back and show love,” he told People. “We have a team that works year-round nonstop on how can we give back, do more, uplift, inspire, motivate and hug all the kids in need. Inspire them to keep going and not just the kids, but also the families, the mothers and fathers and give out scholarships.”
Since the birth of his son, the producer has been sponsoring several competitions in an effort to give back.
“I cry every day, man. I cry happiness just seeing my kids. It’s all about them,” Khaled, whose full name is Khaled Mohamed Khaled, said.
Scholarship Application Period Open
Since Feb 9, the scholarship has been open exclusively for incoming students looking to enroll for fall 2023, and it will accept applications until April 16.
Prospective students are also required to submit a written essay or submit a three-minute video that explains their goals, how the scholarship would help them achieve said goals, and how they would see themselves in 10 years, with a comprehensive explanation of how they plan to do it.
Joining Def Jam Recordings
On the same day of the announcement of the scholarship, DJ Khaled and his label have announced his signing with Def Jam Records. He will now serve as a creative consultant for Universal Music Group.
Khaled is now the Global Creative Consultant for Def Jam’s parent company, Universal Music Group.
“This new chapter marks a special time for me,” he said during a news conference. “The energy at this point in my career is at an all-time high and I’m grateful to (UMG chief executive officer) Sir Lucian Grainge for allowing me to join his empire at this stage in my journey. Together, we will achieve even greater heights and take it to the next level.”
This marks a return to Def Jam for Khaled. In 2009, DJ Khaled was named president of Def Jam South. But by 2011, DJ Khaled left Def Jam South when his label became part of Cash Money Records.
Jay-Z’s Roc-A-Fella Records is distributed by Def Jam.
