The birth of his first child, Asahd, granted DJ Khaled a new perspective on life, and he recalled JAY-Z predicting such a transformative experience.

“It’s all for them,” Khaled, 47, said in a cover story interview with Variety on Wednesday. “Everything — the house we live in, the cars we drive, the watches we wear, the music we listen to… “JAY-Z once told me, ‘Wait until you have a child — that’s when life truly begins.’” 

He added, “And as soon as my kids were born, my life changed. Not just these blеꜱꜱings, but also my mentality. Money doesn’t define success. Money doesn’t define being a mogᴜl. To me, true success is being happy.”

Khaled has two sons, Asahd and Aalam, with his partner Nicole Tuck. In May, he revealed to PEOPLE his detailed morning routine, which involves expressing appreciation for his family. Khaled emphasized that this routine remains consistent regardless of the circumstances, as he believes in embracing gratitude in every aspect of life each day.

In the Variety interview, DJ Khaled touched upon his camaraderie with Drake, emphasizing their connection through parenthood. He characterized Drake’s family as “lovely” and mentioned that Drake’s 5-year-old son Adonis is skilled in basketball, appreciating the court at the “Knife Talk” rapper’s residence in Toronto.