Suffering from Success is the seventh studio album by American disc jockey and producer DJ Khaled. It was released on October 22, 2013, by We the Best Music Group, Terror Squad Entertainment, Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records and Republic Records. The album has guest appearances from Future, Diddy, Meek Mill, Rick Ross, T.I., 2 Chainz, French Montana, Timbaland, Lil Wayne, Drake, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj and Jeremih. Producers include DJ Khaled, Boi-1da, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Arthur McArthur, Timbaland, Streetrunner, Young Chop and Lee on the Beats.
Suffering from Success was supported by two singles, "No New Friends" featuring Lil Wayne, Drake and Rick Ross, and "I Wanna Be with You" featuring Nicki Minaj, Future and Ross. The album was met with mixed reviews from music critics and debuted at number 7 on the US Billboard 200.
Background
On January 17, 2013, DJ Khaled announced that he had begun working on his seventh album, titled Suffering from Success. In January 2013, during an interview with MTV News, DJ Khaled explained where the album title came from, saying: "We just got done turning in Ross' album, and you know people don't realize, when you turn in an album, it's a lot of work behind the scenes; from clearing records, dealing with lawyers, sample clearances, mix and mastering, marketing plan. At that time, I'm running around and I notice a big bald spot on my beard that kept getting bigger and bigger. I'm acting like I don't want to see it, I'm brushing it away and it kept getting it bigger and bigger. So When I finally got home off the road, I was like you know what, 'I'm gonna go to the doctors.' I don't like going to the doctors, so I go, and she's like it's a disorder that comes from your nerves and your stress, but she said 'I'm going to give you medication, and I'll see you back in 4 months.' Through that whole process while I'm at the doctor's office, my phone's ringing, I'm dealing with marketing people, I'm dealing with lawyers, I'm dealing with Ross, I'm dealing with personal shit, a whole bunch of shit at the same time. It didn't stop, she's thinking I'm crazy. So she gave me my medicine and all that, and she found out who I was, and after watching that 45 minute doctor's session, she grabbed my shoulder and she just goes, 'Son, you're suffering from success.' I looked at her and was like, 'That might be the realest thing you can tell me, and it opened my mind up like, success comes with stress, and happiness. So I'm driving home from the doctor's office and I'm like, "that's gonna be the name of my new album, Suffering From Success.'" On June 10, 2013, it was announced that the album would be released on September 24, 2013. On July 31, 2013, the album cover was released. On August 26, 2013, DJ Khaled announced the album has been pushed back from September 24, 2013 to October 22, 2013.
Guest appearances
In these early reports from MTV, it said that the album would include the features from Lil Wayne, Rick Ross and Kanye West. Drake, Future and Nicki Minaj, which would be featured on the first two singles. In May 2013, Khaled also confirmed to be working with Big Sean on the album. On August 26, 2013, on a vlog, it was revealed that Khaled was in the studio with Meek Mill, Vado, Birdman, Juelz Santana, Ace Hood, Mavado, and Swizz Beatz. On September 12, 2013, American rapper Scarface announced that Akon and himself, would be featured on the album. On September 27, 2013, Khaled revealed that President Barack Obama would be featured on the album in an unspecified way. On October 6, 2013, the final track listing was released, revealing guest appearances on the album from Future, Ace Hood, Diddy, Meek Mill, Rick Ross, T.I., Swizz Beatz, 2 Chainz, French Montana, Big Sean, Timbaland, Plies, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Wiz Khalifa, Wale, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Mavado, Bas, Jeremih, J. Cole, Akon, Anthony Hamilton, Jadakiss, John Legend, Scarface, Birdman, Vado and Kat Dahlia.
Singles
On April 14, 2013, DJ Khaled released a promotional video for Suffering from Success, and the first single, called "No New Friends" featuring Drake, Rick Ross and Lil Wayne, which was released on April 19, 2013. The music video was shot on May 15 and 16, 2013 in Miami, Florida and featured cameos by Ace Hood and Birdman among others. The music video for "No New Friends" premiered on MTV Jams on June 9, 2013, and was co-directed by Colin Tilley and Drake. "No New Friends" has peaked at number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100.