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 โthe skills, the looks, the confidence, the drive, and the charisma for the job.โ The New Pittsburgh Courier says, โThe 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.
Bankroll
Wiz Khalifa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Money ain't thing 'cause I got paper to blow.
I'm heavy in the game it ain't a thing to a pro.
Baby I'm a star & you already know that i'm gettin' bankroll (bankroll) x 10
(Yeah) See me I was cheifin' on my reefer getting blowed.
In my home alone that's when Sledgren hit my phone, he said Wizzle what you doing?
I said we should hit the club, I could swing thru & grab Motor cuh you just hit money up.
All black Chuck Tays, some Armani frames, 15 carats in my chain bitch I'm heavy in the game.
In my truck I'm switching lanes, feel that beat off in my trunk.
I'm smokin' Mary Wayne, I speed off to the hood & we gone roll about 10 blunts 'fore I'm ready.
I'm spending all this cash up tonite, if you let me.
Blowin' on this ray, spitting game to these hoes. Money ain't thing 'cause I got paper to blow. I'm heavy in the game it ain't a thing to a pro. Baby I'm a star & you already know that i'm gettin' bankroll (bankroll) x 10
(So much fuckin' money I don't know what to do w/ it. Haha yeahh)
I tap my horn once, I tap again.
This n*gga must not hear me, I OOOWOOP he let me in.
I meet up w/ my mens, then dip out to the spot.
The whole Khalifa gang, 10 cars deep off in the lot.
Youย ? off in the front, we creepin' thru the back.
& we gone blow some stacks, them hoes ain't know how to act.
No i.d. I'm underage but far from underpaid.
I'm fresh to death, stay fly until I'm sleep off in a grave.
(Until I'm sleep off in a grave)
You got them hoes you fuck w/ groupies that I used to know.
Say you gettin' money man, now money's what I choose to blow.
Finna pop some bottles, scream I'm thru.
Came to shut the club down (club down) so make some room. I'm ...
Blowin' on this ray, spitting game to these hoes. Money ain't thing 'cause I got paper to blow. I'm heavy in the game it ain't a thing to a pro. Baby I'm a star & you already know that i'm gettin' bankroll (bankroll) x 10
(Ohh, it's finna pop off now. Haha, yeahhhhhhh bitch)
Now we in the club, hear the DJ scream my name.
He shout out Heavy Hustle cause the DJ know my gang.
I'm standin' on the couch in V.I.P. I swing my chain.
The DJ play my song, I throw my cheese & go insane.
& I got what they need, they come & shake it for a boss.
These hoes just out here choosin' homie take it as a lost.
Sweat comin' out my pores (pores) this Patron got me heated.
Security know what it is w/ me, I'm gettin' weeded.
The hoes say I'm conceited. N*ggas say I'm a fool.
My chain is fuckin' freezey, this shit is kinda cool.
& I'm the kind of dude to walk behind ya boo, tell her fuck ya man, I'm the man what you tryna do?
Blowin' on this ray, spitting game to these hoes. Money ain't thing 'cause I got paper to blow. I'm heavy in the game it ain't a thing to a pro. Baby I'm a star & you already know that i'm gettin' bankroll (bankroll) x 10
The song "Bankroll" by Wiz Khalifa feat. Courtney Noelle is a rap song that talks about his excessive lifestyle and wealth. He starts the song by saying that he is blowing on his ray, which means he is smoking marijuana, and then boasts about having enough money to blow away like paper. He talks about being a star and having a lot of bankroll, indicating that he is successful in the game.
In the next few lines, he talks about how Sledgren called him to go to a club, and he gets ready by smoking a blunt and putting on his star power with black Chuck Tays, Armani frames, and a 15-carat chain. He also talks about cruising around in his truck, smoking marijuana, and feeling the beat of the song in his trunk. He is spending all his cash in the club tonight, and he is ready to party until the morning.
In the last verse, Wiz Khalifa talks about being in the club and hearing the DJ shout out his name. He throws his cheese (money) and goes insane while standing on the couch in VIP. He boasts about having what the hoes need and how they shake for him. He says that security knows he is getting weeded, and he is the kind of guy who would walk behind someone else's girl and take her away from them.
Line by Line Meaning
Blowin' on this ray, spitting game to these hoes.
I'm smoking weed and talking to women.
Money ain't thing 'cause I got paper to blow.
I have so much money that I can waste it without worry.
I'm heavy in the game it ain't a thing to a pro.
I am experienced in this lifestyle.
Baby I'm a star & you already know that I'm getting bankroll (bankroll) x 10
I'm a popular figure and making a lot of money.
See me I was cheifin' on my reefer getting blowed.
I was smoking weed by myself.
In my home alone that's when Sledgren hit my phone, he said Wizzle what you doing?
At home, my friend called me and asked if I wanted to go out to the club with him and bring our friend Motor.
I said we should hit the club, I could swing thru & grab Motor cuh you just hit money up.
I agreed to go to the club and offered to pick up our friend Motor while my friend calls someone for money.
Then I jumped in the shower, took me bout an hr, smoked a blunt of ray then put on my star power.
I took an hour to shower, smoke weed, and get ready with my outfit.
All black Chuck Tays, some Armani frames, 15 carats in my chain bitch I'm heavy in the game.
I wear black Chuck Taylor shoes, Armani eyeglasses, and a 15-carat chain, which shows my status in this lifestyle.
In my truck I'm switching lanes, feel that beat off in my trunk.
I drive my truck quickly and feel the music in the back.
I'm smokin' Mary Wayne, I speed off to the hood & we gone roll about 10 blunts 'fore I'm ready.
I continue to smoke weed and drive to my neighborhood. Before going to the club, we smoke about ten more blunts.
I'm spending all this cash up tonight, if you let me.
I plan to spend all of my money tonight if I am allowed.
I tap my horn once, I tap again.
I honk my car horn twice.
This n*gga must not hear me, I OOOWOOP he let me in.
The person I am honking at eventually lets me into the club.
The whole Khalifa gang, 10 cars deep off in the lot.
My whole group, which I call the Khalifa gang, parks ten cars in the lot.
Youย ? off in the front, we creepin' thru the back.
I am not sure who is in the front, but we sneak into the back.
& we gone blow some stacks, them hoes ain't know how to act.
We plan to spend a lot of money, and the women at the club are excited.
No i.d. I'm underage but far from underpaid.
Even though I am not old enough to drink, I am still wealthy.
I'm fresh to death, stay fly until I'm sleep off in a grave.
I always look good and stylish, even when I am dead.
You got them hoes you fuck w/ groupies that I used to know.
You have sex with women who used to follow me around.
Say you gettin' money man, now money's what I choose to blow.
You claim to make a lot of money, but I am the one who spends it recklessly.
Finna pop some bottles, scream I'm thru.
We plan to open some champagne bottles and celebrate.
Came to shut the club down (club down) so make some room. I'm ...
We plan to have a wild night and take over the club.
Now we in the club, hear the DJ scream my name.
We are now in the club, and the DJ announces my presence.
He shout out Heavy Hustle cause the DJ know my gang.
The DJ announces the name of my group because he knows us.
I'm standin' on the couch in V.I.P. I swing my chain.
I stand on the couch in the VIP section and swing my chain around.
The DJ play my song, I throw my cheese & go insane.
The DJ plays my song, and I throw my money around and dance wildly.
& I got what they need, they come & shake it for a boss.
I am wealthy, so women dance provocatively for me.
These hoes just out here choosin' homie take it as a lost.
These women are choosing different men, which I take as a loss.
Sweat comin' out my pores (pores) this Patron got me heated.
I am sweating a lot from the alcohol and am feeling hot.
Security know what it is w/ me, I'm gettin' weeded.
Security knows I am smoking weed.
The hoes say I'm conceited. N*ggas say I'm a fool.
Women think I am arrogant, while men think I am foolish.
My chain is fuckin' freezey, this shit is kinda cool.
My chain is very expensive and looks nice.
& I'm the kind of dude to walk behind ya boo, tell her fuck ya man, I'm the man what you tryna do?
I am the type of person who would try to seduce your girlfriend and tell her to leave you for me.
Contributed by Madelyn A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Stephen Burr
One of my favs songs skippin school to hotbox on a scenic route. Taylorgang
Zakylon Salton
I feel you.
Keem Nathan
Bro we all got the same wiz memories
Zay LLV
Not the scenic route ๐
Common_Curtisy
Dude going back through this tape really shows how versatile Wiz can be. He has so many different flows and vibes on this project. And considering how young he was when he made it only cemented the fact he was gonna blow up crazy. Been a fan the whole time. Happy for my dawg ๐ช
Shane B.
I remember randomly finding this song and hearing it for the first time. One of Wiz's most underrated songs ๐ฅ.
Latino93Heat
A timeless classic!! It takes me back to my high school days when I smoked with da homies. I've change a lot since then but this song brings back memories and good vibes still motivation fire๐ฅ๐ฅ
The Sassy Oracle
As a fan since this first came out this made my day! ๐๐๐๐ฅฐ๐ฅฐ๐ฅฐ
Tushใฒ
When Wiz drops its always a good day ๐ฏ
Keem Nathan
One of my favorites on this tape , shit had so many bangers on it ๐ฏ๐ฏ