Influence Profile
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Trending in Wiz Khalifa’s World
Latest Single
Roll and Smoke (hook)
Released Feb 12, 2011
Trending Globally
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Story
Quick Facts
Born
1987
1987
From
United States of America
United States of America
Journey
Born in Minot, North Dakota, Cameron Jibril Thomaz, better known as Wiz Khalifa, spent his early years relocating frequently across the globe and the U.S. due to his father’s military career. However, it was Pittsburgh that truly shaped his identity. Rising out of the city’s vibrant independent rap scene, the American rapper, songwriter, actor, and entrepreneur ultimately transformed his local roots into a massive worldwide music career.
Khalifa began writing and recording music during his teenage years, developing through Pittsburgh’s local recording community before signing with Rostrum Records. His early releases, including "Prince of the City: Welcome to Pistolvania," "Show and Prove," and "Deal or No Deal," established him as an independent artist with a growing regional following. His 2010 mixtape "Kush & Orange Juice" became the project that expanded that following nationally. Released as a free digital download, it demonstrated his ability to build an audience outside conventional album campaigns and helped position him for a new agreement with Atlantic Records.
The breakthrough arrived with “Black and Yellow,” a Pittsburgh-centered anthem that reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Its success introduced Khalifa to a much larger audience and preceded "Rolling Papers," his 2011 major-label debut. He continued with "O.N.I.F.C." and "Blacc Hollywood," with the latter becoming his first Billboard 200 No. 1 album. His catalogue established a recognizable balance between personal lifestyle writing, street-oriented rap, melodic hooks, and collaborative records.
Khalifa reached an even broader audience in 2015 through “See You Again,” his collaboration with Charlie Puth for "Furious 7." The tribute to actor Paul Walker became a worldwide hit and earned multiple Grammy nominations, placing Khalifa among the rap artists whose work had crossed decisively into international pop culture.
His influence extends beyond his individual recordings. Khalifa developed Taylor Gang from a personal crew into an artist-led music company with its own roster, producers, releases, and collaborative network. Artists associated with the organization have included Juicy J, Ty Dolla $ign, Chevy Woods, Berner, and Fedd the God.
Across his catalogue, Khalifa has maintained the independent instincts that shaped his early career while operating on a global scale. His work connects Pittsburgh identity, mixtape culture, mainstream rap, entrepreneurship, and long-term artist development within the Taylor Gang platform.