Wiz Khalifa

Wiz Khalifa is an American rapper, singer and songwriter who rose to mainstream prominence in the early 2010s. He is best known for hit singles including "Black and Yellow" and "See You Again," and for a catalogue of albums and mixtapes that helped define a strand of melodic, hip-hop in the 2010s.

Early life

Born Cameron Jibril Thomaz on September 8, 1987, in Minot, North Dakota, he moved frequently during childhood because his parents served in the military, living in several places before settling in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He began writing and recording music as a teenager and built an early following through mixtapes distributed online, developing a reputation in Pittsburgh's local scene before reaching a national audience.

Career

Wiz Khalifa gained wider attention with mixtapes such as "Kush & Orange Juice," which spread rapidly online and built his fan base. He signed with a major label and released his debut studio album "Rolling Papers" in 2011, propelled by the single "Black and Yellow," which reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and became associated with the colours of Pittsburgh's sports teams. The success established him as a leading new artist in hip-hop.

He continued to release albums and collaborations through the 2010s, including the studio records "O.N.I.F.C.," "Blacc Hollywood" and "Khalifa," working with numerous artists across hip-hop and pop. In 2015 he had one of the biggest hits of his career with "See You Again," a collaboration with singer Charlie Puth recorded for the film "Furious 7" as a tribute to actor Paul Walker. The song topped charts around the world and became one of the most-streamed and viewed tracks of its era, earning major award nominations.

Recent work

Wiz Khalifa has remained active as a recording and touring artist, releasing further albums, mixtapes and collaborations, and maintaining a strong presence in live performance and festival line-ups. He founded the record label and collective Taylor Gang, through which he has supported other artists. Beyond music he has pursued business ventures and brand partnerships, including in the cannabis sector, with which he is widely associated and which is a recurring theme in his music and public persona. He has also ventured into acting, appearing in film and television projects. He has also appeared in film and television projects. With a career spanning more than a decade of hits, he is regarded as one of the prominent rappers of his generation.