In 2005 he released his first official mixtape, Prince of the City: Welcome to Pistolvania, and later in 2006 he released his first full length street album entitled Show and Prove. Since then he has released a further six mixtapes and a collaboration mixtape titled How Fly with friend Curren$y. He released his debut album, Deal or No Deal, in November of 2009, it reached #1 on the iTunes hip hop chart, and then reached the top ten on iTunes' overall album chart the week it was released. Previously signed to Warner Bros. Records, he left the label in July 2009 after numerous delays in releasing his planned debut album for the label, First Flight. Khalifa stated to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that, "I learned a lot during my time there and matured as an artist during the process. I'm happy to be moving on with all of my material and having the chance to be in control of my next moves".He is also the founder of the rap crew Taylor Gang, which includes friends Kev Tha Hustler, Ekko, Smallz Money and Gene Stovall. They derived the name from the fact they always used to wear Chuck Taylor shoes.
Khalifa was born on September 8, 1987 in Minot, North Dakota to a mother and a father serving in the military. The family moved to Pittsburgh when Khalifa was the age of two. His parents' military service caused the family to move on a regular basis.
Over the next thirteen years, he would move between Pittsburgh and South Carolina, Georgia, Oklahoma, Germany, Japan, and England as his parents were reassigned to different posts. In October of 1990 Wiz was separated from his mother,who left him in the hands of her sister while she served in Operation Desert Storm.
During his travels, Wiz was forced to mature quicker than his peers. He was constantly faced with new surroundings, new schools, and new sets of friends, and he found it difficult to become attached to anyone outside his family roots. This nomadic life gave Wiz an opportunity, though, to broaden his mind and offered him many experiences from which to draw inspiration. He began to perceive the world differently than most kids, and he would write his thoughts down every day.These thoughts would become the foundation for his future recordings.
By the age of 14, with a few songs under his belt, Wiz was already drawing comparisons with his commanding voice and witty wordplay. While he has been influenced by artists such as Jay-Z, Camron, and the Notorious B.I.G., Wiz was determined to create his own identity that would, one day, be loved and revered by fans.
Ready to take the next step, Wiz began his search for a recording studio to record new songs. He found one, ID LABS, where owner Eric Dan immediately recognized Wiz's talents. Along with Chad Glick of ID Management, they began to network Wiz to another Pittsburgh native, Benjy Grinberg of Rostrum Records. Benjy realized the raw talent that Wiz possessed, and immediately brought him into the Rostrum family in 2002.
Soon after, Wiz Khalifa began his ascent into the music scene in the Pittsburgh area. He has been hailed by the award winning Pittsburgh Post-Gazette pop music critic, Ed Masley, as having “the skills, the looks, the confidence, the drive, and the charisma for the job.” The New Pittsburgh Courier says, “The combination of a young, charismatic M.C. with a slew of stop-and-rewind rhymes together with a local independent label with major industry connections has set the stage for a hip-hop artist representing Pittsburgh to reach superstar status for the first time ever.
In 2010, with the success of Kush and Orange Juice still present, Wiz Khalifa signed with Atlantic Records. Wiz's style along with his production team, Johnny Juliano, Sledgren, and E. Dan make this a winning combination for success.
He is also well known for his debut single for Atlantic, "Black and Yellow", which peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. His debut album for the label, Rolling Papers, was released on March 29, 2011. He followed that album with O.N.I.F.C. (abbreviated for mainstream markets from "Only Nigga In First Class") on December 4, 2012 which was backed by the singles "Work Hard, Play Hard" and "Remember You". O.N.I.F.C. debuted at number two with 131,000 in first week sales.
Pittsburgh City Council declared 12-12-12 (December 12, 2012) to be Wiz Khalifa Day in the city. Khalifa graduated from Pittsburgh's Taylor Allderdice High School and in January 2012, purchased a home in nearby Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.
In April 2013, Khalifa revealed that after having his son he decided to work on a new album that he was planning to release in 2013. On April 17, 2013, Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y announced that they will drop their collaboration EP Live in Concert on April 20, 2013. The EP featured seven new songs. On June 24, 2013, he announced that his fifth studio album would be titled Blacc Hollywood and would be released in 2013. On September 3, 2013, Khalifa revealed he had recorded songs with Miley Cyrus, Adele and Juicy J for Blacc Hollywood. In October 2013, Mannie Fresh confirmed that he provided production for the album. On February 11, 2014, Khalifa released Blacc Hollywood's first single titled "We Dem Boyz". The album was then supported by the singles "KK", "You and Your Friends", "Stayin Out All Night", "Promises" and "So High".
Khalifa released an EP with TY Dolla $ign on March 31, 2015, entitled "Talk About It In the Morning". That same month, Wiz released the lead single for the film "Furious 7" called "See You Again" as a tribute to Paul Walker. The single has since gone on to global success. "See You Again" spent 12 non-consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, tying for the longest-running rap number-one hit in the US.
On January 23, 2015, Khalifa was featured on a remix release of the Fall Out Boy song "Uma Thurman". On May 18, they performed the song together on the 2015 Billboard Music Awards show. In the summer of 2015, he began touring the United States with Fall Out Boy and Hoodie Allen in a tour titled "The Boys of Zummer Tour". The tour featured performances of "Uma Thurman" by Fall Out Boy and Khalifa. Later that year, on December 15, 2015, Wiz released the mixtape "Cabin Fever 3". During the Golden Globes on January 10, 2016, Wiz announced that his next album, titled Khalifa, would be released on the 22nd of that month. However, the album was released on February 5, 2016. On May 24, 2016, he released "Pull Up", a standalone single in promotion of his sixth album, Rolling Papers 2, which was released on July 13, 2018.
On April 20, 2020, Khalifa released, The Saga of Wiz Khalifa. The album included collaborations with Tyga, Logic, Mustard and Ty Dolla $ign. In May 2020, Khalifa featured on the song "Drums Drums Drums" with Travis Barker.
In 2021, Khalifa competed in season five of The Masked Singer as "Chameleon". He finished in third place.
40 Bars
Wiz Khalifa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Act up, knuckles'll fly
Swing somethin' that'll bubble your eye
I've been trouble since the day I was born
A couple mix-ups
So I switched up, made it a song
Put your fists up, say to the song
You know the style, get wild
And everybody wanna face-off
Until they face off
I'm like a jet when I take off
I'm the one the grip the beat, youngin'
No bullshit, I spit the heat, youngin'
Hit the streets, youngin'
You'll hear my name ring bells
At your face, I aim these shells
Young Wiz, "Hey pimpin"
Prince of the city of steel ain't trippin'
Pricks try to claim to be real
Straight simpin'
Y'all niggas ain't listenin'
Hold up! Who you know realer? Flow iller?
Move with a team of goons and go-rillas
Bruise all the crews that choose
They don't feel us
Dudes probably thought I'd loseno, NIGGA!
Go figga, man I'm playin' to win
If a nigga act up, then I'm layin' him in
You can see a little change from
The way that it's been
Said it before, I'll say it again
Motherfucker it's W, I (dot) Z (dot) , playa!
Cowards all stuck, I'm up at the top layer
Half of y'all suck
It's nothin' to drop haters
Stackin' all bucks
Man fuck it it's not fa-ir
Cause my team keep winnin', keep women
Keep coming up with amounts of dollars
And keep spendin' em
From the home where the hammers' shootin'
Cats all day, hand-in hand we're moving
They can't swing like a fan was movin'
Get chopped up like a jam in Houston
It's young Wiz, huh? Steel City, yeah!
Pittsburgh-fitted low
I'm the rookie of the year
Yeah! And I rock and roll
'Till the kid rock Rollies
And my pockets swole
Getting paid's not optional i tell chicks
CDC - Cash Daddy's Checks and roll
In "40 Bars," Wiz Khalifa showcases his confident and assertive persona, as he effortlessly delivers his lyrics with a smooth flow. The opening lines set the tone for the song, where Wiz boasts about his skills and warns others to think twice before messing with him. He references his upbringing in the cornfields, highlighting his resilience and ability to rise above any challenges he faces.
Throughout the song, Wiz emphasizes his authenticity and realness, contrasting it with those who falsely claim to be genuine. He confidently proclaims his dominance in the rap game, asserting that his flow is unmatched and his crew is unrivaled. Wiz also mentions his financial success, boasting about stacking money and living a lavish lifestyle.
The lyrics also touch on his pride for his hometown of Pittsburgh, often referred to as the Steel City. He represents his city with a sense of loyalty and pride, donning a Pittsburgh-fitted hat and proclaiming himself the "rookie of the year."
Overall, "40 Bars" showcases Wiz Khalifa's trademark swagger and self-assuredness, as he asserts his position as an influential figure in the rap industry.
Line by Line Meaning
Motherfucker it's, W - I
I am Wiz Khalifa, and I don't care about what others think of me.
Act up, knuckles'll fly
If you provoke me, violence will ensue.
Swing somethin' that'll bubble your eye
I will hit you so hard that your eye will swell.
I've been trouble since the day I was born
I have been causing trouble my whole life.
A couple mix-ups
I made a few mistakes along the way.
So I switched up, made it a song
I turned my mistakes into music.
Put your fists up, say to the song
Get ready to fight and vibe to the music.
You know the style, get wild
Embrace my unique style and go crazy.
Like a child I was raised in the cornnigga
I grew up in a less glamorous environment, just like a normal kid.
And everybody wanna face-off
Everyone wants to challenge me.
Until they face off
But when they actually confront me, they back down.
I'm like a jet when I take off
I am unstoppable once I start.
I'm the one the grip the beat, youngin'
I have full control over the rhythm and flow of the song, young one.
No bullshit, I spit the heat, youngin'
I deliver powerful and authentic lyrics, young one.
Hit the streets, youngin'
I make my presence known in the streets, young one.
You'll hear my name ring bells
My reputation and fame will spread.
At your face, I aim these shells
I am ready to attack and cause damage.
Young Wiz, 'Hey pimpin'
I'm a young and confident individual.
Prince of the city of steel ain't trippin'
I am the respected figure in my hometown, unaffected by negativity.
Pricks try to claim to be real
Some people pretend to be authentic.
Straight simpin'
They are just acting foolish.
Y'all niggas ain't listenin'
You all are not paying attention to the truth.
Hold up! Who you know realer? Flow iller?
Pause for a moment! Do you know anyone more genuine? Do you know anyone with a better flow?
Move with a team of goons and go-rillas
I surround myself with tough and loyal individuals.
Bruise all the crews that choose
I defeat any groups that challenge me.
They don't feel us
They can't understand or connect with us.
Dudes probably thought I'd loseno, NIGGA!
People probably expected me to fail, but that's not the case!
Go figga, man I'm playin' to win
You should realize that I am always competing and aiming for victory.
If a nigga act up, then I'm layin' him in
If someone tries to start trouble, I will take them down.
You can see a little change from
You can observe some minor differences in me.
The way that it's been
The way things have been going so far.
Said it before, I'll say it again
I've expressed this previously, but I'll reiterate.
Motherfucker it's W, I (dot) Z (dot) , playa!
I am Wiz Khalifa, the player who calls the shots!
Cowards all stuck, I'm up at the top layer
Those who lack bravery are stagnant, while I continue to rise to the top.
Half of y'all suck
Let's be honest, most of you are not talented.
It's nothin' to drop haters
I have no problem dismissing and ignoring those who dislike me.
Stackin' all bucks
I am accumulating a lot of money.
Man fuck it it's not fa-ir
Well, screw it! Life isn't fair anyway.
Cause my team keep winnin', keep women
My team keeps winning, attracting and keeping women.
Keep coming up with amounts of dollars
We constantly find ways to make more money.
And keep spendin' em
And we enjoy spending that money too.
From the home where the hammers' shootin'
I come from a neighborhood where guns are frequently fired.
Cats all day, hand-in hand we're moving
We engage in illegal activities, specifically drug dealing.
They can't swing like a fan was movin'
My enemies cannot attack or harm me like a moving ceiling fan.
Get chopped up like a jam in Houston
They will be severely punished or destroyed, just like a jam in Houston.
It's young Wiz, huh? Steel City, yeah!
I am the young artist known as Wiz Khalifa, representing my hometown of Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh-fitted low
Wearing a Pittsburgh-themed hat low on my head.
I'm the rookie of the year
I am the most promising newcomer in the music industry.
Yeah! And I rock and roll
I dominate the rap game and bring a rockstar vibe.
'Till the kid rock Rollies
I will continue to wear expensive Rolex watches.
And my pockets swole
My pockets are full of money.
Getting paid's not optional i tell chicks
Earning money is not a choice for me, I make sure to let women know.
CDC - Cash Daddy's Checks and roll
I receive large checks and live a luxurious lifestyle, thanks to my success.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Espantapájaros
Verso]
Hijo de puta es, W -
Actúo, los nudillos volarán
Swing algo que te hará burbujear el ojo
He sido un problema desde el día en que nací
Un par de confusiones
Así que cambié, hice es una canción
Levanta los puños, di la canción
Conoces el estilo, enloquece
Como un niño Me crié en el maíz ... nigga
Y todos quieren enfrentarse, hasta que se enfrentan
Soy como un jet cuando Me quito
, soy yo quien agarra el ritmo, joven
No hay mierda, escupo el calor, joven Salgo a
las calles, joven
Escucharás mi nombre sonar campanas
En tu cara, apunto estas conchas
Young Wiz, "Hola chulo"
El príncipe de la ciudad del acero no está
tropezando. Los pinchazos intentan decir que son reales, simpaticos y directos.
Todos ustedes, negros, no están escuchando. ¡ Esperen
! ¿Quién tú ...
sabes Realer? Flow iller?
Muévete con un equipo de matones y go-rillas Golpea a
todas las tripulaciones que eligen que no nos sienten. Los
tipos probablemente pensaron que iba a perder ... ¡NO, NIGGA!
Ve, figga, hombre, estoy jugando para ganar.
Si un negro actúa, entonces lo estoy acostando.
Puedes ver un pequeño cambio en la forma en que se ha
dicho antes, lo diré otra vez.
Hijo de puta es W, I (punto) Z (punto), playa!
Todos los cobardes estancados, estoy en la capa superior. La
mitad de ustedes apestan, no hay nada que deje de odiar
.
Porque mi equipo sigue ganando, las mujeres siguen ganando
cantidades de dólares y las siguen gastando
desde la casa donde los martillos disparan a los
gatos todo el día, de la mano nos estamos moviendo.
No pueden balancearse como se movía un fanático. Córtalo
como una mermelada en Houston.
Es joven Wiz, ¿eh? Steel City, sí!
Ajuste bajo de Pittsburgh, soy el novato del año
¡Sí! Y rock and roll
'Hasta que el niño rock Rollies, y mis bolsillos se agitaban. Que me
paguen no es opcional,
les digo a las chicas, CDC - Cash Daddy's Checks and roll
Lo Life Productions
Wiz can still be lyrical the difference between then and now is he is rich as fuck now insanely famous. He is no longer "Hungry" so he jus koolin
El Gleeko
Why? How long did he not eat for? Glads hes okay
Espantapájaros
Verso]
Hijo de puta es, W -
Actúo, los nudillos volarán
Swing algo que te hará burbujear el ojo
He sido un problema desde el día en que nací
Un par de confusiones
Así que cambié, hice es una canción
Levanta los puños, di la canción
Conoces el estilo, enloquece
Como un niño Me crié en el maíz ... nigga
Y todos quieren enfrentarse, hasta que se enfrentan
Soy como un jet cuando Me quito
, soy yo quien agarra el ritmo, joven
No hay mierda, escupo el calor, joven Salgo a
las calles, joven
Escucharás mi nombre sonar campanas
En tu cara, apunto estas conchas
Young Wiz, "Hola chulo"
El príncipe de la ciudad del acero no está
tropezando. Los pinchazos intentan decir que son reales, simpaticos y directos.
Todos ustedes, negros, no están escuchando. ¡ Esperen
! ¿Quién tú ...
sabes Realer? Flow iller?
Muévete con un equipo de matones y go-rillas Golpea a
todas las tripulaciones que eligen que no nos sienten. Los
tipos probablemente pensaron que iba a perder ... ¡NO, NIGGA!
Ve, figga, hombre, estoy jugando para ganar.
Si un negro actúa, entonces lo estoy acostando.
Puedes ver un pequeño cambio en la forma en que se ha
dicho antes, lo diré otra vez.
Hijo de puta es W, I (punto) Z (punto), playa!
Todos los cobardes estancados, estoy en la capa superior. La
mitad de ustedes apestan, no hay nada que deje de odiar
.
Porque mi equipo sigue ganando, las mujeres siguen ganando
cantidades de dólares y las siguen gastando
desde la casa donde los martillos disparan a los
gatos todo el día, de la mano nos estamos moviendo.
No pueden balancearse como se movía un fanático. Córtalo
como una mermelada en Houston.
Es joven Wiz, ¿eh? Steel City, sí!
Ajuste bajo de Pittsburgh, soy el novato del año
¡Sí! Y rock and roll
'Hasta que el niño rock Rollies, y mis bolsillos se agitaban. Que me
paguen no es opcional,
les digo a las chicas, CDC - Cash Daddy's Checks and roll
Graham Salkeld
always used to skip this song cuz of the beat but man I forgot how hard he snapped on it
Baleful
I love this so much more than his newer shit.
GRAHAM CLARK
True this is hood his new shit be wack
max banjurmom
its a damn shame he dont spit like this no more. -___-
Theadde7777
This Was when Wiz didn just rap about weed , He used to be a real Og
Gabe Segee
REAL TALK THO. I REALLY BEEN HERE SINCE 05 NEVER LEFT. STILL GOT THE XXL MAG THIS WAS IN
RbZ_tcg
💯💯💯