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 âthe skills, the looks, the confidence, the drive, and the charisma for the job.â The New Pittsburgh Courier says, âThe 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.
One Way
Wiz Khalifa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wonderin' if we need to change
All I ever wanted was lights, cameras, action
People staring at night, cameras flashin'
Living the movie, not prepared to see the last scene
All I want is the pretty women for the casting
Won't confront him, put your money where your mask is
Buy them bottles by the case, we don't gotta chase
For the love of money, we in a million dollar race
Windows done tinted, niggas hate 'em, but I fish bowl
So I can let your ho see me while I'm in it, uh
See I ain't got a deal
But everybody know that I ain't kinda real
I'm hundred dollar bill authentic, yeah
Hotel room, marijuana's in it
Chevy watchin' the game, your bitch she rollin' me planes
Passport payin' my dividends for the fame
Mind in the gutter, you niggas ain't in my lane
This is not the life I chose, but it's the life that chose me
The money got me everywhere that all these hoes be
And they can talk crazy 'cause they don't know me
'Cause if you know me, I'm out here dreaming
The party hoes, the cars and clothes, living life is all I know
I found my lane and I won't change for nothing
There's only one way to go
Now they cop the mixtapes and watch my videos
Maybe 'cause I got bars like a serial code
Louie pouch full of pre-rolled
Mouth full of kush, mind on my zero
Hoes always thought I was cute but wouldn't speak though
Now they see me, and be jocking on my steelo
On a private ride higher than a ski slope
I'm just flyin', haters try and clip my wings though, whoa
Now they see us and wanna be us
I'm partyin' poppin' bottles
With models to meet and greet us
Fuck her, follow, and then retweet us
In the sky, so my nigga keep up
I don't know where this road will go, cause my life is crazy (fuckin' hoes, everywhere we go)
But I ain't changin', baby (This shit, you burn after you roll)
This is not the life I chose, but it's the life that chose me
The money got me everywhere that all these hoes be
And they can't talk crazy 'cause they don't know me
'Cause if you know me, I'm out here dreaming
The party hoes, the cars and clothes, living like it's all I know
I found my lane and I won't change for nothing
There's only one way to go
Wiz Khalifa's song One Way is about living a lavish lifestyle and chasing after fame and fortune. The rapper talks about buying bottles and partying with models, living life to the fullest, and not changing for anyone. The lyrics suggest that while this may not be the life he chose, it's the life that chose him. He admits to dreaming of the good life and all its trappings, but he also recognizes that his mind is always in the gutter â perhaps a reference to the pitfalls of fame like drugs, sex, and money.
Wiz Khalifa's verses also touch on themes of authenticity and staying true to oneself amidst all the glitz and glamour. He boasts that he's "hundred dollar bill authentic" and that he's not going to change for anyone, no matter how much money he makes or how famous he gets. Despite living the high life, there's a sense of insecurity in his lyrics too. He mentions wondering if he needs to change and feeling like a fraud around people who talk tough but never actually follow through.
Overall, One Way is a celebration of the lifestyle that comes with being a successful rapper, but also a reminder that chasing fame and fortune can come at a cost.
Line by Line Meaning
Rolling up in paper planes
Smoking weed using rolling papers
Wonderin' if we need to change
Thinking about whether their current lifestyle needs to be altered
All I ever wanted was lights, cameras, action
Desiring fame and attention
People staring at night, cameras flashin'
Being in the spotlight and having attention constantly on them
Living the movie, not prepared to see the last scene
Enjoying the glamour and excitement of fame without considering the potential consequences
All I want is the pretty women for the casting
Preferring attractive women to be a part of their entourage
Won't confront him, put your money where your mask is
Not being brave enough to stand up to someone but still trying to appear tough by using money as a weapon
You a chump, talk guns, but scared to blast his
Calling someone a coward for talking about using weapons but not actually following through with it
Buy them bottles by the case, we don't gotta chase
Having enough money to afford expensive alcohol without needing to work hard for it
For the love of money, we in a million dollar race
Being motivated by wealth and trying to accumulate as much as possible
Windows done tinted, niggas hate 'em, but I fish bowl
Having dark tinted car windows and being aware that others dislike it but still wanting to show off
So I can let your ho see me while I'm in it, uh
Being in a car with tinted windows so that they can be seen with someone's significant other without being recognized
See I ain't got a deal
Not having a record label contract
But everybody know that I ain't kinda real
Being authentic and genuine despite not having the backing of a major record label
I'm hundred dollar bill authentic, yeah
Being true to oneself and not compromising for anyone
Hotel room, marijuana's in it
Having weed in a hotel room
Chevy watchin' the game, your bitch she rollin' me planes
Passing time in a Chevy while someone's significant other rolls weed for them
Passport payin' my dividends for the fame
Traveling for work and making money because of their fame
Mind in the gutter, you niggas ain't in my lane
Wanting to maintain their current lifestyle and not caring about what others think or do
This is not the life I chose, but it's the life that chose me
Feeling like their current lifestyle was thrust upon them rather than being a conscious choice
The money got me everywhere that all these hoes be
Being able to go wherever they want because of their wealth and fame
And they can talk crazy 'cause they don't know me
Ignoring criticism from those who are not familiar with them
Cause if you know me, I'm out here dreaming
Believing that they are still reaching for their goals and aspirations
The party hoes, the cars and clothes, living life is all I know
Being accustomed to a lavish lifestyle filled with parties and luxury items
I found my lane and I won't change for nothing
Being content with their current lifestyle and unwilling to make drastic changes
There's only one way to go
Continuing to move forward and live their current lifestyle
Now they cop the mixtapes and watch my videos
Gaining popularity and recognition through their music
Maybe 'cause I got bars like a serial code
Possessing impressive rapping skills
Louie pouch full of pre-rolled
Having a Louis Vuitton pouch filled with pre-rolled joints
Mouth full of kush, mind on my zero
Having a lot of weed in their mouth and focusing on their financial goals
Hoes always thought I was cute but wouldn't speak though
Receiving attention from women but them being hesitant to approach
Now they see me, and be jocking on my steelo
Now that he is famous, women are showing interest
On a private ride higher than a ski slope
Being on a private plane or car and being elevated both literally and metaphorically
I'm just flyin', haters try and clip my wings though, whoa
Ignoring those who try to bring them down and continuing to succeed
Now they see us and wanna be us
Inspiring others to want to be like them
I'm partyin' poppin' bottles
Having a good time, drinking expensive alcohol
With models to meet and greet us
Being in the company of attractive models
Fuck her, follow, and then retweet us
Women who have sex with them will then follow them on social media and share their content
In the sky, so my nigga keep up
Being at the pinnacle of success and telling their friend to keep up
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cameron Thomaz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dion
Rolling up in paper planes
Wonderin' if we need to change
All I ever wanted was lights, cameras, action
People staring at night, cameras flashin'
Living the movie, not prepared to see the last scene
All I want is the pretty women for the casting
Won't confront him, put your money where your mask is
You a chump, talk guns, but scared to blast his
Buy them bottles by the case, we don't gotta chase
For the love of money, we in a million dollar race
Windows done tinted, niggas hate 'em, but I fish bowl
So I can let your ho see me while I'm in it, uh
See I ain't got a deal
But everybody know that I ain't kinda real
I'm hundred dollar bill authentic, yeah
Hotel room, marijuana's in it
Chevy watchin' the game, your bitch she rollin' me planes
Passport payin' my dividends for the fame
Mind in the gutter, you niggas ain't in my lane
This is not the life I chose, but it's the life that chose me
The money got me everywhere that all these hoes be
And they can talk crazy 'cause they don't know me
'Cause if you know me, I'm out here dreaming
The party hoes, the cars and clothes, living life is all I know
I found my lane and I won't change for nothing
There's only one way to go
Now they cop the mixtapes and watch my videos
Maybe 'cause I got bars like a serial code
Louie pouch full of pre-rolled
Mouth full of kush, mind on my zero
Hoes always thought I was cute but wouldn't speak though
Now they see me, and be jocking on my steelo
On a private ride higher than a ski slope
I'm just flyin', haters try and clip my wings though, whoa
Now they see us and wanna be us
I'm partyin' poppin' bottles
With models to meet and greet us
Fuck her, follow, and then retweet us
In the sky, so my nigga keep up
I don't know where this road will go, cause my life is crazy (fuckin' hoes, everywhere we go)
But I ain't changin', baby (This shit, you burn after you roll)
This is not the life I chose, but it's the life that chose me
The money got me everywhere that all these hoes be
And they can't talk crazy 'cause they don't know me
'Cause if you know me, I'm out here dreaming
The party hoes, the cars and clothes, living like it's all I know
I found my lane and I won't change for nothing
There's only one way to go
Wiki Beats
My name is Roscoe WIKI. I'm from Pittsburgh, PA. I made this beat for Wiz. I grew up with a super nintendo and a NES and one of my favorite games was Kirby's Adventure; that's how I got the sample. I was lucky to be in the studio when him and Courtney Noelle recorded this at ID LABS (best recording studio in the burgh) and it was one of the greatest studio sessions I ever got to sit in on. An amazing talent and he deserves all the critical acclaim that he receives. Probably one of the coolest dudes on planet Earth.Â
Smesa
Great beat my g. Favourite off the entire mixtape
Christopher Williams
Oh that's dope I never knew who did this!! Still here in 2023 salute fam
Mark Jackson
Love. One of my favorite beats ever!
ManFromTheMoonð
Such a dope memory to have & cherish for forever dude.ð¥
Jordan Lakey
And itâs his best song ever
Cesar Lara
Wiz can "sell out" all he wants. He's forever respected for dropping bars to NES Kirby.
Jesse Salazar
I guess but the chorus is fire EZ writers wrote it I'm sure
quetzalcueyatl
Is this chiptune.
LÞner TrÞÞpz
I literally was going they samples and heard the original and was like wiz def did this shit already lol