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.
Raw
Wiz Khalifa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take that OG Kush, put it in a RAW
Bitch so bad had to hit it raw
Ask me how I'm living man, I'm living raw
And I'm smoking good when I'm in my car
Niggas want beef, you can get it raw
Got these niggas sick, everything is raw
Ask me how I'm living, man I'm living raw
Rolling joints like Ice Cube, living raw like payday
Get a pound by next Friday, get me gone and I'll be Day Day
And they say I got that raw, yeah I got that Slim Shady
They be coming for that pure, Yelawolf that MGK
I got a house like Scarface, got a car that win races
Got some KK in the jar, know it's raw when you taste it
Eating sushi with my broad, order raw when you place it
Niggas say that they want war, I'm the wrong one to play with
Riding round, blowing pounds, so much loud
On a cloud, roll up now, throwing thou's,
In the town, how it sound
Really do some for the game when they started stealing your style
Bring the kush, it's going down
Leather on leather nigga, that's raw
Take that OG Kush, put it in a RAW
Bitch so bad had to hit it raw
Ask me how I'm living man, I'm living raw
And I'm smoking good when I'm in my car
Niggas want beef, you can get it raw
Got these niggas sick, everything is raw
Ask me how I'm living, man I'm living raw
Niggas over doing shit, I just give it to a broad
Drinking Bombay, straight buying bottles from the bar
Book aflight with Miley Cyrus, and we going to the stores
Got that ODB cuz they say they like it raw
I got a four fifty engine, in the hood up my car
It sound like a dinosaur, you should hear when it roar
I let Tuki hit the wax, you was sleeping on the floor
Hear a nigga talking shit when we creeping through your door
Her homegirl said she wanna leave with her best friend
She gon' suck it like a straw
I got dollars, I got diamonds, plus I blow it by the onion
I'ma give it to them raw
Leather on leather nigga, that's raw
Take that OG Kush, put it in a RAW
Bitch so bad had to hit it raw
Ask me how I'm living man, I'm living raw
And I'm smoking good when I'm in my car
Niggas want beef, you can get it raw
Got these niggas sick, everything is raw
Ask me how I'm living, man I'm living raw
The song Raw by Wiz Khalifa talks about his extravagant lifestyle while also throwing in references to drug use and explicit sexual encounters. The chorus of “Leather on leather nigga, that’s raw” begins the song, and while the phrase seems simple, it actually represents the way Wiz Khalifa lives his life - unapologetically bold and outrageous. He then references smoking OG Kush, a popular strain of marijuana, and doing so with a RAW paper, indicating that he prefers smoking simply without any additives. The lyric about hitting it raw represents a sexual encounter without using protection, indicating that he takes risks and lives without consequence. The phrase “everything’s raw” in the chorus refers to the rawness of life itself.
The second verse continues with references to his wealth and taking risks. He mentions Ice Cube and payday as if to say he lives in the moment and enjoys his life to the fullest. He says he has the purest form of drugs, making a reference to Slim Shady (Eminem) and Yelawolf, both respected lyricists. He talks about his success and compares himself to Scarface, a character in the film who is known for his wealth and glamor. The chorus repeats, further emphasizing the carefree attitude Wiz has towards his life.
The third verse talks about his sexual experiences and how he gives in to his desires with no regrets or inhibitions. He references booking a flight with Miley Cyrus, implying that he enjoys the company of other famous individuals, and they indulge in expensive luxury items. “ODB” is a reference to the late rapper Ol’ Dirty Bastard, who was known for his explicit lyrics and raw persona. He also speaks about his car with a monstrous motor and how it symbolizes the roar of his strength and power. The verse ends with him talking about his riches and how he spends his money, calling back to the “raw” theme of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Leather on leather nigga, that's raw
Wearing multiple layers of leather is a bold fashion statement, a sign of confidence.
Take that OG Kush, put it in a RAW
Putting high-quality marijuana into a RAW rolling paper makes for an enhanced smoking experience.
Bitch so bad had to hit it raw
The woman was so attractive, Wiz had sex with her without a condom.
Ask me how I'm living man, I'm living raw
Wiz Khalifa is living life boldly and fearlessly.
And I'm smoking good when I'm in my car
Wiz enjoys smoking high-quality marijuana while driving his car.
Niggas want beef, you can get it raw
If someone wants to start an argument or fight, Wiz is willing and able to engage without hesitation.
Got these niggas sick, everything is raw
Wiz's success and bold, unapologetic lifestyle make some people envious and uncomfortable.
Rolling joints like Ice Cube, living raw like payday
Wiz rolls joints like Ice Cube used to, and lives his life just as boldly and recklessly as someone feels with a lot of cash on payday.
Get a pound by next Friday, get me gone and I'll be Day Day
Wiz plans to buy a pound of marijuana by Friday, so he can smoke as much as he wants and feel like the character Day Day from the movie 'Next Friday.'
And they say I got that raw, yeah I got that Slim Shady
People think Wiz's marijuana is high-quality and potent, like Eminem's alter ego Slim Shady.
They be coming for that pure, Yelawolf that MGK
People seek out Wiz for his pure, high-quality marijuana, just like they seek out rappers Yelawolf and MGK for their authentic styles.
I got a house like Scarface, got a car that win races
Wiz has a mansion similar to the one in the movie 'Scarface' and a racecar that can win competitions.
Got some KK in the jar, know it's raw when you taste it
Wiz has a jar of high-quality marijuana called KK, and the taste confirms its potency.
Eating sushi with my broad, order raw when you place it
Wiz enjoys eating sushi with his female companion, and specifically orders sushi with raw fish.
Niggas say that they want war, I'm the wrong one to play with
If someone wants to start a conflict, Wiz is not someone they want to mess with.
Riding round, blowing pounds, so much loud
Wiz drives around while smoking a lot of high-quality marijuana.
On a cloud, roll up now, throwing thou's
Wiz is so high he feels like he's on a cloud, and he rolls joints and throws money around without a care.
In the town, how it sound
Wiz represents his city and its sound, and is proud of it.
Really do some for the game when they started stealing your style
Wiz became famous for his style of rapping and smoking marijuana, and other artists copied it.
Bring the kush, it's going down
Wiz is ready to smoke high-quality marijuana and enjoy himself.
Niggas over doing shit, I just give it to a broad
Other people are trying too hard, but Wiz doesn't care and just gives what he has to attractive women.
Drinking Bombay, straight buying bottles from the bar
Wiz is drinking Bombay Sapphire gin and buying whole bottles of it at a bar.
Book aflight with Miley Cyrus, and we going to the stores
Wiz and Miley Cyrus are taking a flight together, likely to shop together.
Got that ODB cuz they say they like it raw
ODB refers to Ol' Dirty Bastard, and Wiz has his brand of marijuana because people specifically request it for its potency.
I got a four fifty engine, in the hood up my car
Wiz has a powerful four hundred fifty horsepower engine in his car.
It sound like a dinosaur, you should hear when it roar
Wiz's car sounds extremely loud and powerful, like a dinosaur.
I let Tuki hit the wax, you was sleeping on the floor
Tuki refers to rapper Tuki Carter, and Wiz let him smoke marijuana wax without issue while someone else was unable to handle it and fell asleep.
Hear a nigga talking shit when we creeping through your door
If someone starts talking negatively while Wiz and his crew are approaching, they will be dealt with.
Her homegirl said she wanna leave with her best friend
A friend of the woman Wiz is with suggests they all leave together.
She gon' suck it like a straw
The woman Wiz is with will perform fellatio on him.
I got dollars, I got diamonds, plus I blow it by the onion
Wiz has a lot of money and plenty of jewelry, but he still spends a lot on high-quality marijuana.
I'ma give it to them raw
Wiz is always himself, unapologetic and unfiltered.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Missing Link Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CAMERON THOMAZ, EDWARD MURRAY, RYAN MICHAEL BAKER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@brandonlewis005
Wiz is basically the snoop of this generation
@LovuhbleCinema
brooo me and my friend were thinkin the same thing.
@SAVAGExKush
you not lying bro
@mr.69yomoma31
hell yeah hes dope!!!
@christaylorgang24
no cuz snoop was never this good stop it
@christaylorgang24
snoop wish he could rap like wiz
@utdaarron
This is fucking amazing
@BlitzMRG
Reno <3
@instracks1387
Reno❤️
@brianmejia4321
+Curt (@wizappnin) yo lemme get a 1000 Microsoft points for a 1 month? :)