DJ Khaled had no idea what was coming. When Justin Bieber took the stage at the 2026 Coachella Music and Arts Festival and pulled up his laptop to find the perfect song, he landed on the 1 track that sent Khaled’s phone into a frenzy. Out of every hit in his catalog, Bieber chose to perform “I’m the One,” the diamond-certified collaboration the two made together back in 2017. For Khaled, 50, that moment meant everything.
The celebrated music producer opened up about his reaction while speaking exclusively with People aboard a yacht en route to the VCARB Livery Launch Party ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix on April 29. Khaled described how Bieber’s decision to spotlight their shared work, rather than lean solely on his own solo catalog, caught him completely by surprise and filled him with genuine emotion. He made clear that his feelings for Bieber go far beyond a professional relationship, describing the singer as family and expressing excitement about what the two of them might create together going forward.
Why “I’m the One” carries so much weight
Released in April 2017 and featured on Khaled’s album Grateful, “I’m the One” brought together an extraordinary lineup of talent. Beyond Khaled and Bieber, 32, the track also featured Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne. The song became a landmark moment for everyone involved. It marked Khaled’s first No. 1 single to debut atop the Billboard Hot 100, a milestone that cemented his status as one of the most commercially powerful figures in music.
The record’s legacy only grew over time. In December 2024, the RIAA certified “I’m the One” as diamond, a distinction that recognized over 10 million units in certified sales and streams. That certification marked a historic achievement across the board. It became Khaled, Chance the Rapper and Quavo’s first diamond record, Bieber’s fourth and Lil Wayne’s third. Few collaborations in recent memory have aged as well or meant as much to everyone who contributed to them.
Bieber’s Coachella set drew strong reactions
Bieber headlined both weekends of Coachella 2026, delivering a set that drew a wide range of responses from fans and critics alike. His performance included songs from his 2 most recent albums, SWAG and SWAG II, alongside a series of beloved throwbacks. Hits such as Baby, That Should Be Me, Up and Never Say Never all made appearances, giving longtime fans the nostalgia they came for.
What divided audiences, however, was the format of the show itself. Rather than relying on choreography or the high-energy production that defined his earlier tours, Bieber performed in a stripped-down style, using YouTube clips of his throwback music videos played from a laptop on stage. Some fans found the approach flat and lacking the intensity they expected from a Coachella headliner. Others, though, read it as something far more meaningful a full-circle tribute to the YouTube era that launched his career in the first place, a quiet and deliberate nod to where it all began.
Khaled’s excitement extends beyond music
The conversation with Khaled did not stop at Bieber. As a proud Miami local and devoted Formula 1 fan, he also shared his enthusiasm for the race weekend unfolding around him. Khaled attended the event as part of the celebration surrounding the VCARB team’s new livery, a vibrant design inspired by Red Bull Summer Edition Sudachi Lime. He reflected warmly on his experience at the previous year’s Miami Grand Prix, recalling how much the weekend meant to him and his family, and expressing clear anticipation for what this year’s race would bring.
The combination of music, motorsport and genuine friendship made for a revealing portrait of Khaled away from the studio. Whether talking about Bieber’s Coachella headline set or the roar of Formula 1 engines on a Miami street circuit, his enthusiasm never wavered. For a man who has built his entire brand around celebration and gratitude, moments like these are exactly what he lives for.
Source: People
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