Wiz Khalifa

Wiz Khalifa, born Cameron Jibril Thomaz on September 8, 1987, in Minot, North Dakota, is an American rapper known for his unique style and chart-topping hits. Raised in a military family, Khalifa moved frequently during his childhood, living in Germany, the UK, and Japan before finally settling in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His passion for music began at a young age, and by the age of 15, he was regularly recording at a local studio called I.D. Labs, where he was mentored by Pittsburgh hip-hop veteran E. Dan.

Khalifa signed with Rostrum Records in 2005 and released his debut mixtape Prince of the City: Welcome to Pistolvania, which paved the way for his first full-length album, Show and Prove (2006). His breakthrough came with the single “Say Yeah” in 2008, which sampled Alice Deejay’s “Better Off Alone” and gained him national recognition.

In 2009, after parting ways with Warner Bros. Records, Khalifa released his second album Deal or No Deal independently. His grassroots approach and the release of the free mixtape Kush and Orange Juice in 2010 garnered him a devoted fan base and significant online buzz, leading to a deal with Atlantic Records.

Khalifa’s mainstream success was cemented with the release of his single “Black and Yellow” in 2010, a tribute to his hometown of Pittsburgh. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100, and his major-label debut album Rolling Papers (2011) peaked at number two on the Billboard 200. He continued to achieve commercial success with albums like O.N.I.F.C. (2012), which featured hits like “Work Hard, Play Hard.”

In 2014, Khalifa released Blacc Hollywood, which became his first album to debut at number one on the Billboard 200. His 2015 single “See You Again,” featuring Charlie Puth, from the Furious 7 soundtrack, became a global hit, topping the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 non-consecutive weeks and earning diamond certification.

Beyond music, Khalifa has explored acting, with roles in films like Mac & Devin Go to High School and voice work in animated series like American Dad! He also founded the record label Taylor Gang Entertainment in 2008, signing artists like Juicy J and Ty Dolla Sign. Known for his love of cannabis, Khalifa launched his own brand, Khalifa Kush, in 2016, expanding it to nationwide dispensaries in 2022.

Throughout his career, Wiz Khalifa has become a prominent figure in hip-hop, known for his laid-back style, catchy hooks, and influence on both music and cannabis culture.