Wiz Khalifa

Who Is Wiz Khalifa?

Wiz Khalifa, the renowned rapper and songwriter, began his musical journey at a young age, showcasing a talent for writing and recording songs early in his life. His breakthrough came in 2011 with the release of the chart-topping single “Black and Yellow.” Around the same time, Khalifa made his acting debut, co-starring with Snoop Dogg in the comedy film Mac and Devin Go to High School. His musical career flourished with the release of acclaimed albums such as O.N.I.F.C. in 2012 and Blacc Hollywood in 2014. Khalifa achieved remarkable success in 2015 with the poignant track “See You Again,” a collaboration with Charlie Puth that resonated with audiences worldwide.

Early Life and Career

Born Cameron Jibril Thomaz on September 8, 1987, in Minot, North Dakota, Wiz Khalifa experienced a nomadic childhood due to his father’s military career. This frequent relocation instilled in him a love for music from an early age. He began writing lyrics at the age of nine and, shortly thereafter, started recording his own tracks.

Khalifa spent his high school years in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he cultivated a local following as an artist. His talent soon attracted national attention with the release of his 2006 mixtape Prince of the City: Welcome to Pistolvania. The following year, he gained his first significant success with the hit single “Say Yeah.” During this period, he continued to release a series of mixtapes, including Grow Season (2007) and How Fly (2009), a collaborative project with Curren$y, further establishing his presence in the hip-hop landscape.

Albums

Rolling Papers

Wiz Khalifa’s career reached new heights with the release of “Black and Yellow” in 2010, an ode to his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers. This track propelled him into the spotlight, although it was not without controversy; Khalifa was arrested on drug-related charges when approximately 60 grams of marijuana were discovered on his tour bus in North Carolina. Despite his team’s loss in the Super Bowl, Khalifa’s popularity soared, with “Black and Yellow” topping the charts in 2011. This hit was featured on his album Rolling Papers, which climbed to the number two position on the album charts. The album also included a bonus track titled “Taylor Gang,” named after his dedicated fan base, inspired by the Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers Khalifa is often seen wearing.

O.N.I.F.C.

In 2012, Wiz Khalifa collaborated with Snoop Dogg for the comedic film Mac and Devin Go to High School. His subsequent album, O.N.I.F.C., released in the same year, featured singles such as “Work Hard, Play Hard” and “Remember You.” Khalifa worked alongside prominent artists including Juicy J and Pharrell Williams on this record. He also launched his own concert series, the Under the Influence of Music tour. Additionally, Khalifa achieved further success as a guest artist on Maroon 5’s hit song “Payphone.”

Blacc Hollywood

In 2014, Khalifa released Blacc Hollywood, which included the popular track “We Dem Boyz,” featuring guest appearances from Rick Ross and Nas. He also partnered with Raw Rolling Papers to create a line of smoking-related products. In 2015, Khalifa topped the charts once again with his collaboration with Charlie Puth on “See You Again,” a poignant ballad honoring the late actor Paul Walker. This song, featured on the Furious 7 soundtrack, received multiple Grammy nominations.

Personal Life

Wiz Khalifa was previously married to model Amber Rose, with whom he shares a son, Sebastian. The couple divorced in 2014.