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.
Pittsburgh Sound
Wiz Khalifa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Its Wiz Khalifa man
Its that 412
I got that Pittsburgh sound
Around these parts
I'm known as the youngest in charge
My shit bang out the trunk of your car
Semi blown clack niggas
Skin and bones but really known as that nigga
I'm known to chase the bucks
Grind to get my paper up
In the studio writin' rhymes til the paper crunch
I'm not the type that you would call em a thug
But I'm a hustler its all in my blood
So if its all for the cheese then I'm in it
My screws kinda loose so I ease to the finish
I hop up in the coupe feel the breeze while I'm in it
Blowin' smoke up out the roof from the trees that I'm spliffin'
Youngin' got the game on lock
I'm on top its a shame y'all not
You a lame put your brain on pot
Leave you wet like the rain y'all drop
I'm gon' rock and I ain't gon' stop, nigga
Who's the kid spittin' flames
Changin' the game
His name, its wiz khalifa man
From the home of the brick
Where they know for the cake
The place, that steel city damn
I got that Pittsburgh sound
And Imma always hold pittsburgh down
Its Wiz Khalifa man
You cant tell by now
Pittsburgh Imma swell my town
That steel city damn
Roll rubber you don't know who you dealin' with
Oh so innocent but flows so billigant
My spit games like a 44 killin' shit
Know your man warm but the young ball killin' shit
Realist shit and your main wife dig me
Game try and hit me
Kick game like 50 cent
Niggas wanna play games I quickly
Mob with a squad that will bang y'all wit' me
And they want the kid still hurtin'
Hundred niggas wit hammers
Yea that's wat I call a steal curtain
I handle my time and still work it
Put in work couple mil. worth in
And I'm from Pittsburgh where the green
And the eatin' is good
Where the fiends do everything in the hood
Everyday is like a war so my soldiers ride fatiguesin the hood
And we gettin' all the green like we should
You know yea
Who's the kid spittin' flames
Changin' the game
His name, its wiz khalifa man
From the home of the brick
Where they know for the cake
The place, that steel city damn
I got that Pittsburgh sound
And Imma always hold pittsburgh down
Its Wiz Khalifa man
You cant tell by now
Pittsburgh Imma swell my town
That steel city damn
The song "Pittsburgh Sound" by Wiz Khalifa is an ode to the city where he grew up, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The song starts with Wiz claiming his city and declaring that he has the "Pittsburgh Sound." He then goes on to talk about his rise to fame and the struggles that come with it.
In the first verse, Wiz explains that he is known as the youngest in charge in his city, and his music bangs out of car trunks. He describes himself as skinny but tough, and talks about chasing money and grinding to write rhymes. He admits that he's not a thug, but a hustler, and doesn't give up until he's completed his goal.
In the second verse, Wiz asserts his dominance in the rap game, stating that he's changing the game with his unique sound. He shouts out his city again, talking about Pittsburgh's reputation for being all about the money, and how he will always hold it down. He brags about his skill on the microphone, and how his music is so good that even other rappers' wives dig him.
Overall, "Pittsburgh Sound" is a song about resilience and pride in one's home city. Wiz Khalifa celebrates his hometown and his accomplishments while acknowledging the tough road he's had to take to get there.
Line by Line Meaning
Yea
Expressing affirmation and agreement.
Its Wiz Khalifa man
Referring to himself as Wiz Khalifa.
Its that 412
Referring to his hometown area code in Pittsburgh.
I got that Pittsburgh sound
Referring to his unique rap style that represents Pittsburgh.
Around these parts
Referring to the neighborhood where he grew up.
I'm known as the youngest in charge
Referring to his leadership qualities and skills.
My shit bang out the trunk of your car
Explaining that his music is so powerful that it can be heard from the car's sound system.
Its the cities known rap spitta
Referring to himself as a rapper who is famous within the city.
Semi blown clack niggas
Referring to his ability to shoot a gun.
Skin and bones but really known as that nigga
Contrasting his personality as not being physically intimidating but being someone to respect.
I'm known to chase the bucks
Referring to his desire to be successful and earn money.
Grind to get my paper up
Explaining that he works hard to make money.
In the studio writin' rhymes til the paper crunch
Explaining that he spends a lot of time in the studio writing lyrics.
I'm not the type that you would call em a thug
Contrasting himself from being someone stereotyped as a criminal.
But I'm a hustler its all in my blood
Explaining that he has an inherent desire to work hard and make money.
So if its all for the cheese then I'm in it
Saying that if he can make money, he will do whatever it takes to achieve his goals.
My screws kinda loose so I ease to the finish
Admitting that he is not perfect but perseveres to achieve success.
I hop up in the coupe feel the breeze while I'm in it
Enjoying the feeling of driving a nice car with the windows down.
Blowin' smoke up out the roof from the trees that I'm spliffin
Smoking marijuana in the car while driving.
Youngin' got the game on lock
Suggesting that he has control and power within the music industry.
I'm on top its a shame y'all not
Acknowledging his successful position within the industry and feeling pity towards those who are not in the same position.
You a lame put your brain on pot
Insulting someone's intelligence and suggesting that they smoke marijuana.
Leave you wet like the rain y'all drop
Threatening to hurt someone.
I'm gon' rock and I ain't gon' stop, nigga
Expressing that he will continue to be successful and create music without stopping.
Who's the kid spittin' flames
Asking who the person is who is making amazing music.
Changin' the game
Influencing and changing the rap industry.
His name, its wiz khalifa man
Answering the question from the previous line and referring to himself as Wiz Khalifa.
From the home of the brick
Referring to his hometown of Pittsburgh.
Where they know for the cake
Referring to Pittsburgh's reputation for being a great place for businesses to prosper.
The place, that steel city damn
Referring to Pittsburgh's nickname, the 'steel city' due to the steel industry that thrived there.
And Imma always hold Pittsburgh down
Promising to represent the city and make it proud.
You cant tell by now
Asking the audience if they can't already tell that he is representing Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Imma swell my town
Promising to grow and expand Pittsburgh's music scene.
Roll rubber you don't know who you dealin' with
Warning someone whom he is working with or doing business with.
Oh so innocent but flows so billigant
Presenting himself as being innocent but also confident in his music.
My spit games like a 44 killin' shit
Comparing his rapping skills to a deadly weapon.
Know your man warm but the young ball killin' shit
Suggesting that there may be other rappers who are not as good as him.
Realist shit and your main wife dig me
Explaining that his music is relatable and enjoyable to listen to.
Game try and hit me
Suggesting that other rappers are trying to copy his style.
Kick game like 50 cent
Comparing his music style to that of rapper 50 Cent.
Niggas wanna play games I quickly
Refusing to entertain unimportant issues.
Mob with a squad that will bang y'all wit' me
Having a group of people who are with him and willing to fight for him.
And they want the kid still hurtin
Referring to people who hope that he won't be successful.
Hundred niggas wit hammers
Suggesting that he has many people with guns ready to defend him.
Yea that's wat I call a steal curtain
Referring to Pittsburgh's sports teams (Steelers) and their defense.
I handle my time and still work it
Being able to manage his time well to continue his success.
Put in work couple mil. worth in
Working hard to earn millions of dollars through his music.
And I'm from Pittsburgh where the green
Referring to Pittsburgh's nature and the greenery surrounding the city.
And the eatin' is good
Having access to high-quality food and enjoying life in Pittsburgh.
Where the fiends do everything in the hood
Referring to the drug issues in some neighborhoods in Pittsburgh.
Everyday is like a war so my soldiers ride fatiguesin the hood
Describing the daily struggles and conflicts that exist in some neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. Comparing his friends and team to soldiers ready for battle.
And we gettin' all the green like we should
Making money successfully in the music industry.
Lyrics ยฉ Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: REGINALD A. ANTHONY BROWN, RICHARD J. DAVIS, STAFFORD M. FLOYD, JOSHUA PETER BROCHHAUSEN, CAMERON JIBRIL THOMAZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Espantapรกjaros
Su Wiz Khalifa hombre
Es asรญ de 412
tengo el sonido de Pittsburgh
<i>[Verso 1:]</i>
Alrededor de estas partes
Soy conocido como el mรกs joven
mi mierda golpeara a la cajuela de su coche
Las ciudades conocidas Rap Spitta
Semi Blown Niggas Clack
Skin And Bones Pero realmente conocido como ese negro
Soy conocido por perseguir el dinero
Moler Para conseguir mi papel
En las rimas escribo en el estudio
no soy del tipo de hombre rudo
Pero soy un galan, esta en m
i sangre
Asรญ que si todo es por el queso, estoy en el
Mis Tornillos Un poco flojos, de manera que facilidad hasta la meta
brinco en la compa hasta no sentir mas
fumando la yerba en los arboles
Youngin Got The Game On Lock
soy el mas alto sinveguenza
Es un cojo cerebro
Deja como la caรญda de lluvia Yall
voy a rockear y no voy a parar ... Negro
<i>[Estribillo:]</i>
Whos Las llamas Spittin Kid
Changin El Juego
Su nombre ... Su Wiz Khalifa hombre
De la casa de El Ladrillo
En el que saben Para el pastel
El lugar ... Esa Maldita Ciudad del Acero
I Got That Sound Pittsburgh
Y Imma Siempre sostenga Pittsburgh abajo
Su Wiz Khalifa hombre
U Cant decir por ahora
Pittsburgh Imma oleaje Mi Ciudad
Esa Maldita Ciudad del Acero
<i>[Verso 2:]</i>
ponte un condon, no sabes con quien estas tratando
O tan inocente y vaya que fluye
Mis juegos escupir como una Mierda 44 Killin
Conoce a tu hombre caliente, pero la bola joven Killin mierda
Mierda realista y su esposa principal Dig Me
Trate de juego y me golpeรณ
rompe el juego como 50 Cent
los negros quieren jugar juegos Rรกpidamente
MOB con un equipo que nos chingara a todos
Y quieren que el chico Aรบn lastime
Cien Negros con Martillos
Sรญ Eso es lo que llama el telรณn de acero
Puedo manejar mi tiempo y todavรญa trabajarla
Ponga mi trabajo en confianza pareja
Y estoy de Pittsburgh donde el verde
Y es bueno para comer
Cuando los demonios hacen todo lo que hacen en el barrio
Todos los dรญas es como una guerra para que mi Soldadosse cansen
Y nos quedamos todo el verde como debemos ... Usted sabe Sรญ
<i>[Estribillo]</i>
Track "Wiz Khalifa"
on Bandsintown
Phoenix
It's Wiz Khalifa man (yea, yea)
It's that 412 shit!
I got that Pittsburgh Sound
Let's get it
[Verse 1 - Wiz Khalifa]
Around these parts
I'm known as the youngest in charge
My tracks bang out the trunk of your car
It's the city's known rap spitta
Semi blown clack niggas
Skin and bones but really known as that nigga
I'm known to chase the bucks
Grind to get my paper up
In the studio writin rhymes 'til the paper crunch
I'm not the type that u would call em a thug
But I'm a hustler, it's all in my blood
So if its all for the cheese then I'm in it
My screws kinda loose so I ease to the finish
I hop up in the coupe feel the breeze while I'm in it
Blowin smoke up out the roof from the trees that I'm spliffin
Youngin got the game on lock
I'm on top, it's a shame y'all not
You a lame put your brain on pot
Leave you wet like the rain y'all drop
I'm gonna rock and I ain't gonna stop ..... nigga
[Hook]
Changin the game
Spittin that flame
His name, it's Wiz Khalifa man
Hustlin 24/7
Ask him how I do it I tell em (what you tell em)
(its all in my blood)
I got that Pittsburgh sound
And I'mma always hold Pittsburgh down
Its Wiz Khalifa man
Don't know about you, bra
But I'm a hustla; it's all in my blood
[Verse 2 - Wiz Khalifa]
Roll rubber you don't know who you dealin with
Oh so innocent but flows so diligent
My spit games like a .44 killin shit
Know your man warm but the young ball killin shit
Realist shit and your main wife dig me
Game try and hit me
Kick game like 50 Cent
Niggas wanna play games I quickly
Mob with a squad that will bang y'all wit me
And they want the kid still hurtin
Hundred brothas wit hammers
Yea that's what I call a steel curtain
I handle my time and still work it
Put in work couple mill worth in
And I'm from Pittsburgh where the green
And the eatin is good
And the fiends do everything in the hood
Everyday is like a war so my soldiers ride fatigues in the hood
And we gettin all the green like we should
You know yea
[Hook]
[Verse 3 - Wiz Khalifa]
I'm from the home of the great
Where they known for the cake
Where the money stackin up
Hundred chrome to ya face
U could step out of line nigga
Thrown in the place
That's why my homies say
Its what eva when eva
I flow so hard and I spit so sick
I got all of these rap niggas on my dick
And I can't beef on to heaven, no throw shit
And that's word to the Philly guys, spliff
[Hook]
BurghBerticus
just about the most nostalgic song for me. This is the song for my teenage years that will forever make me smile. Old-school Wiz was legendary.
Irwin Ortiz
No cap
Ryan K
No matter how much Wiz has sold out, he will always be my favorite rapper because of what he's done before he sold out.
kigs4
I might admit that this is his best song ever
Mary Moninger
insane how pgh was so influential in the jazz scene and you can HEAR it in our sound!!!! always a vibe
gogriz32
I didn't start listening to Wiz until mid/late 2009, but I downloaded all his shit, I am definitely more of a fan of his old stuff.
Rod
I never heard this but i like it! he should do more music like this.
AJG
so THIS is what wiz khalifa sounds like with a soul.
Fuccauf
@kush Kush Lol itโs a 10 yr old comment, but youโre responding . So funny ๐
DJ tao
This song still slap till this day!