Wiz Khalifa, born Cameron Jibril Thomaz on September 8, 1987, is a prominent American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor. He gained recognition with the release of his debut album, “Show and Prove,” in 2006, and subsequently signed with Warner Bros. Records in 2007. One of his notable tracks, “Say Yeah,” infused with Eurodance elements, garnered airplay on urban radio stations and made appearances on the Rhythmic Top 40 and Hot Rap Tracks charts in 2008, marking his initial breakthrough.
Following his departure from Warner Bros., Thomaz independently released his second album, “Deal or No Deal,” in November 2009. He later treated his fans to the mixtape “Kush and Orange Juice” as a complimentary download in April 2010 before joining Atlantic Records. Embracing a more pop-oriented sound suited for radio, his debut single for Atlantic, “Black and Yellow,” paid homage to his hometown of Pittsburgh. The track debuted at number 100 and eventually ascended to the coveted number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Serving as the lead single for his third album, “Rolling Papers,” released in March 2011, it was accompanied by the Top 40 hits “Roll Up” and “No Sleep.”
The success of his album paved the way for the arrival of “O.N.I.F.C.” in December 2012, bolstered by the singles “Work Hard, Play Hard” and “Remember You” featuring the Weeknd. Thomaz’s fifth album, “Blacc Hollywood,” hit the scene in August 2014, led by the breakout single “We Dem Boyz.” In March 2015, he contributed the track “See You Again” featuring Charlie Puth to the soundtrack of the movie “Furious 7.” The song went on to claim the number one position on the Billboard Hot 100 for an impressive 12 non-consecutive weeks.
Beyond his musical pursuits, Thomaz has ventured into acting, showcasing his talent in television series like “Punk’d,” “Dickinson,” and “The Eric Andre Show.” He has also lent his voice to animated series such as “American Dad!,” “Duncanville,” and “Big City Greens.” In 2008, he established Taylor Gang Entertainment, a record label that has welcomed artists like Juicy J, Ty Dolla Sign, and Berner into its ranks. Notably recognized for his association with cannabis, Thomaz introduced his own cannabis brand, Khalifa Kush, in 2016, which expanded to nationwide dispensaries in 2022.