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.
Good Dank
Wiz Khalifa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ten steps ahead of these niggas
That's why they fuck with me instead of these niggas
Fool
Kush and orange juice, nigga
I'm tryna use better words
Bitch
Jerm on the boards
You niggas short changin' and shit
Show somethin'
Champagne and E-Z riders
Presidential views
I keeps it real, nothin' like you actors do
Joints I flick
Bomb raps I kicks off
Can't rip this off
Tag on your mattress, fool
You'd rather be high
This that shit, bitch
Now you in the presence of the fly
Louis cover my eyes
Not them hundred dollar Ray-Bans
Fam, these 675
Rap ass niggas tellin' you lies
Runnin game, some things money just can't disguise
That's why keepin' it G is where I keep my pride
You a lame, cause I'm good wit a couple niggas who ride
Look fella
Trees yellin'
Just by the smell you can tell us
Chronic I smoke hella
My pockets want mozzarella
Your bitch here twistin' up like propellers
Got my paper right
Now we like white boy hair the way they jealous
When we come we came to spend money
We think it ain't nothin' that's why we get to cuffin' their hoes
She comin' to drank and smoke some of this good dank
Then go back to my place don't ask you already know
Ain't worried 'bout another nigga
While I'm gettin' mine homie I ain't got the time
Face in the clouds I'm feelin' like time is on my side
But they don't wanna see me fly
They don't wanna see me fly
The life is all I know
To live this way, I chose
Grindin' paid its toll
Oh, oh
Now everywhere I go I fly
Most of my bitches use and abuse
These niggas, call it making 'em pay they dues
Spendin' all your hard-earned money on bags and shoes
When all they really need is kush and orange juice
Shit, that's what I feed 'em
They download my songs
Watch my interviews and read 'em
Treat her like you love her
I fuck her once then I don't need her
I'm playin'
I keep a couple of them skinnies
That I hit up anytime I'm in they city
Shorty, I ain't on no sports team, but ya nigga ballin'
Don't pick up my line less I see its money callin'
Jordan shorts by the pair and my socks is Ralph Lauren
And I got that there from my nigga down New Orleans
Real as they come, every one of my niggas all in
Niggas'll talk slick, but me I'm gettin' to the paper
Cause they see us and act like they never hated
Gang, gang
When we come we came to spend money
We think it ain't nothin' that's why we get to cuffin' their hoes
She comin' to drank and smoke some of this good dank
Then go back to my place don't ask you already know
Ain't worried 'bout another nigga
While I'm gettin' mine homie I ain't got the time
Face in the clouds I'm feelin' like time is on my side
But they don't wanna see me fly
They don't wanna see me fly
The life is all I know
To live this way, I chose
Grindin' paid its toll
Oh, oh
Now everywhere I go I fly
Taylor gang in this bitch you a fool
Big bags of kush, put a x in the middle
Add the orange juice nigga
In "Good Dank," Wiz Khalifa boasts about how his significant worth and success have put him ample steps ahead of his competitors. He mocks other rappers about their lackluster rap skills, while he boasts of his expertise. Wiz Khalifa expresses his admiration for good quality cannabis, specifically kush, and orange juice, and the importance of being precise with the language used on his lyrical content. Jerm is mentioned as the producer handling the boards in the studio. Wiz Khalifa's focus is solely on money, specifically not to be short-changed, and to show something; this is reflected in his preference for champagne and E-Z riders, as well as his claim to having presidential views.
Wiz Khalifa is confident about his authenticity, likening himself to a joint that he 'flicks,' and addressing the struggles of other rappers to reproduce his unique sound as he "kicks bomb raps" that are matchless. He makes it known that keeping it G is the only way to maintain his self-respect, and having a few people back him in terms of equipment, which makes him not as lame as other rappers who cannot maintain their pride. He talks about the smell of chronic marijuana and how it's an indication of something good. His pockets are full of cash, and he possesses an enviable lifestyle.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah
Introduction to the song
Ten steps ahead of these niggas
I am more advanced and successful than my competition
That's why they fuck with me instead of these niggas
People prefer my company and work with me instead of my competition
Fool
Casual insult to my haters
Kush and orange juice, nigga
I prefer to smoke weed and drink orange juice
I'm tryna use better words
I am attempting to improve my vocabulary and communication skills
Bitch
Casual insult to my haters
Jerm on the boards
Jerm is producing the music
This time around we want all the money
We are focused on making as much money as possible this time
You niggas short changin' and shit
My competition is not giving their best effort and not providing proper value to their customers
Show somethin'
Challenge to my competition to step up their game and prove their worth
Champagne and E-Z riders
Celebration and luxury in my lifestyle
Presidential views
High level of success giving me a view from a presidential suite
I keeps it real, nothin' like you actors do
I am authentic and genuine while others in the industry are fake
Joints I flick
I smoke joints
Bomb raps I kicks off
I deliver great lyrics in my verses
Can't rip this off
My style and work cannot be duplicated
Tag on your mattress, fool
I left my signature on your bed, showing my dominance and talent
You'd rather be high
My competition prefers to be high rather than work and improve themselves
This that shit, bitch
My music is great and worthy of recognition
Now you in the presence of the fly
Being around me and my success is impressive and exciting
Louis cover my eyes
I wear Louis Vuitton sunglasses
Not them hundred dollar Ray-Bans
I prefer high end brands over cheaper ones
Fam, these 675
My sunglasses cost $675
Rap ass niggas tellin' you lies
My competition is lying and not being truthful in their music
Runnin game, some things money just can't disguise
My competition may try to deceive people but money cannot hide their true nature
That's why keepin' it G is where I keep my pride
Being authentic and true to myself is something I take pride in
You a lame, cause I'm good wit a couple niggas who ride
You are not cool because I am friends with a few gang members
Look fella
Casual opening to a statement
Trees yellin'
The scent of marijuana is strong
Just by the smell you can tell us
The strong scent of weed should indicate our presence
Chronic I smoke hella
I smoke a lot of weed
My pockets want mozzarella
I want more money
Your bitch here twistin' up like propellers
My female companion is rolling joints expertly
Got my paper right
I have my finances in order
Now we like white boy hair the way they jealous
Our success is making others envious and jealous
Most of my bitches use and abuse
My female companions use men for their money and benefit
These niggas, call it making 'em pay they dues
Men have to pay for their time with my female companions
Spendin' all your hard-earned money on bags and shoes
Men are wasting their money on material possessions instead of investing in themselves or their future
When all they really need is kush and orange juice
All they need is to smoke weed and drink orange juice to be happy
Shit, that's what I feed 'em
This is what I give and provide to my female companions
They download my songs
People are listening to and downloading my music
Watch my interviews and read 'em
People are interested in my thoughts and opinions
Treat her like you love her
Men should treat women with respect and care
I fuck her once then I don't need her
I am not interested in long-term relationships with women
I'm playin'
Casual statement to lighten the mood
I keep a couple of them skinnies
I have a few skinny women as companions
That I hit up anytime I'm in they city
I contact them whenever I am in their area
Shorty, I ain't on no sports team, but ya nigga ballin'
I am not a professional athlete but I am still successful and wealthy
Don't pick up my line less I see its money callin'
I am not interested in speaking to anyone unless it is about money
Jordan shorts by the pair and my socks is Ralph Lauren
I wear expensive clothing and brands
And I got that there from my nigga down New Orleans
I got my fashion sense and inspiration from someone in New Orleans
Real as they come, every one of my niggas all in
My friends and companions are authentic and committed to our success
Niggas'll talk slick, but me I'm gettin' to the paper
Others may talk and hate on me, but I am focused on making money
Cause they see us and act like they never hated
People who used to dislike us are now acting friendly and supportive
Gang, gang
End of the song
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Cameron Thomaz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Best Sleep Sounds
Here in 2023, this song still one of my absolute favorites. 29 years old and still smokin that good dank.
Brandon Keith
baseline. adlibs. raps. hook. melody. this song is just flawless. 🔥🔥🔥
christmasboy07
I totally agree .. this one of his best to me .. the message too.. “The life is all I know , to live this way I chose , Grinding paid its toll .. no everywhere I go , I fly”
Nate B
Not a Wiz Khalifa fan and this shit is fuckin amazing
K Lantz
So flawless easily one of khalifas top 3, personally this is the realist shit he's ever spit.. jet life not here for a long time, here for a good time an when they see us they act like they never hate..
Zephaniah 1v3
Agreed
Michael Freeman
2010 Gold 🪙
Sega Gentleman#TBAS
This mixtape will always be special to me. I was 19 in 2009 and had my Toyota Celica. I used to drive my Homie Ajohnnie to re-up from the plug and he would give me a quarter ounce as payment. Even though he was "hood" he would listen to me talk about conspiracy theories and God. He introduced me to this Mixtape one summer and we played it every time we rode to the plug. I left my hometown in my 20s and while i was gone, my boy got shot 11 times by Columbia Police after an altercation. I was so heartbroken because bro had got a holy qaraan and was trying to change his life. I still bump this song and mixtape all these years later. 2009 was such a good time man. 😢
This mixtape and No Ceilings by Wayne was 🔥 that year
Aust_i_n Jonzee
Real shit
Stewie Bull
This is one of the greatest pieces of art ever crafted…