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.
Royal Highness
Wiz Khalifa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yeah, uh
Oh man, yeah, yeah (oh yeah)
If you don't know by now
I don't like driving, baby, I'm the pilot
Never let the plane come down
Forever on some fly shit
Baby girl know my sound
I'm your royal highness
Baby go fast for me
Then I tell her slow it down
I ain't really worried about
When my time gon' come
'Cause I know it's now
I been really grinding
Baby, come find me
Gotta let me know you're down
I don't like driving, baby, I'm the pilot
Never let the plane come down
Forever on some fly shit
Yeah, I got her vibing
Baby girl know my sound
I'm your royal highness
Baby go fast for me
Then I tell her slow it down
On the west side, yeah, I'm living proof
Started small but now everything new
I spit like I ain't got no tooth
Flying topless, the plane got no roof
I'ma shine till my name in the sky
I'ma ball hard and break all the rules
Graduated and hopped in that coupe
With my main girl now I gotta say bye to you
I can count up a mil' on a bad day
She ain't down then she ain't got no use
By the way that she making that ass shake
I just told baby do what she do
She the type I got to search for
Wasn't handed to me, had to work for it
They riding the wave like a surf board
While the boy hotter than the earth core
Told her wait 'til I go get my cash right
When the money was low she didn't act right
Caught up living in the fast life
To be the boss I paid the mad price
I be with some women watching Friday
Smoking spliffs up on the highway
Shawty call me royal highness
'Cause I did this shit my way
If you don't know by now
I don't like driving, baby, I'm the pilot
Never let the plane come down
Forever on some fly shit
Yeah, I got her vibing
Baby girl know my sound
I'm your royal highness
Baby go fast for me
Then I tell her slow it down
I ain't really worried about
When my time gon' come
'Cause I know it's now
I been really grinding
Baby, come find me
Gotta let me know you're down
I don't like driving, baby, I'm the pilot
Never let the plane come down
Forever on some fly shit
Yeah, I got her vibing
Baby girl know my sound
I'm your royal highness
Baby go fast for me
Then I tell her slow it down
Oh for real?
Real expensive, my clothes
I'm reinventing flows
Presidential, my smoke
You guys are little clones
Go 'head and wash your self up
The only loud smell should be the dope
Everything else is top shelf
Dinner on a boat, smoking a joint
I call that time to kill
I don't trip, I let shit slide
But niggas 'round me will
5K, Vegas at Tao
The owner paid the bill, best seats
We at the game, I'm ashing on the field
Soon as we board the plane, they screwing up they faces
Money in cases, old watches, colorful bracelets
Some of us famous
The others just started they come-up
If you don't know by now
I don't like driving, baby, auto-pilot
Never let the plane go down
Forever on some fly shit
Yeah, I got it vibing
Baby girl knows my sound
I'm your royal highness
Baby going fast for me
Then I tell her slow it down
I ain't really worried about
When my time gon' come
'Cause I know it's now
I been really grinding
Baby, come find me
Gotta let me know you're down
I don't like driving, baby, auto-pilot
Never let the plane go down
Forever on some fly shit
Yeah, I got it vibing
Baby girl knows my sound
I'm your royal highness
Baby going fast for me
Then I tell her slow it down
In "Royal Highness," Wiz Khalifa reflects on his success and the lifestyle that comes with it. He starts by expressing his preference for being in control and not driving, metaphorically stating that he is the pilot of his own life. He asserts that he will never let his success dwindle or falter and is always on top of his game, living a life of luxury and excellence. He refers to himself as royalty, emphasizing his importance and dominance in the industry.
Wiz Khalifa then highlights his journey from humble beginnings to his current position. He mentions living on the west side and how he has transformed his life with everything new. He boasts about his skills and confidence in his craft, comparing his rap skills to someone without any limitations (not having teeth). He also references flying in a topless plane, suggesting that he's untethered and unrestricted in reaching the heights of success.
The artist exudes an air of confidence and determination regardless of the obstacles he encounters. He acknowledges the hard work and dedication it took to get where he is today, stating that he didn't inherit success; he had to earn it. People are jumping on his wave of success, just like riding a surfboard, while he himself is hotter than the core of the earth. He shares his journey of overcoming the difficulties and sacrifices made to become the boss he is today.
Wiz Khalifa also mentions his lavish lifestyle, symbolized by counting a million dollars on a bad day. He describes his wild experiences and the extravagant way of living, with women by his side, smoking and enjoying the fast life. He acknowledges that others see him as their royal highness since he has paved his own path and accomplished his goals in his own unique way.
Overall, "Royal Highness" is a celebration of Wiz Khalifa's success, confidence, and ability to rise above challenges. It reflects his determination to maintain his position at the top while enjoying the luxuries that come with it. The song serves as an anthem for self-assurance and the rewards that come from hard work and dedication.
Line by Line Meaning
If you don't know by now
If you haven't realized yet
I don't like driving, baby, I'm the pilot
I prefer to be in control, like a pilot
Never let the plane come down
Always staying on top, never losing momentum
Forever on some fly shit
Always living a luxurious and stylish lifestyle
Yeah, I got her vibing
I have her enjoying and feeling the music
Baby girl know my sound
She is familiar with my music and style
I'm your royal highness
I am like royalty to her
Baby go fast for me
She should move quickly for me
Then I tell her slow it down
But I also want her to take it slow sometimes
I ain't really worried about
I'm not concerned about
When my time gon' come
When my success will happen
'Cause I know it's now
Because I believe it's happening right now
I been really grinding
I've been working really hard
Baby, come find me
She should come and locate me
Gotta let me know you're down
She needs to express her commitment to me
On the west side, yeah, I'm living proof
I'm evidence of success on the west side
Started small but now everything new
I began with nothing, but now everything has changed
I spit like I ain't got no tooth
I rap aggressively and passionately
Flying topless, the plane got no roof
I'm living freely and without limits
I'ma shine till my name in the sky
I will continue to succeed and gain recognition
I'ma ball hard and break all the rules
I will live extravagantly and defy expectations
Graduated and hopped in that coupe
I finished school and immediately bought a fancy car
With my main girl now I gotta say bye to you
Since I have a committed partner now, I have to say goodbye to others
I can count up a mil' on a bad day
Even on a bad day, I can still make a million dollars
She ain't down then she ain't got no use
If she's not supportive, she has no value to me
By the way that she making that ass shake
The way she moves her body is impressive
I just told baby do what she do
I simply told her to be herself and do her thing
She the type I got to search for
She's the kind of woman that I have to actively seek
Wasn't handed to me, had to work for it
I didn't receive her easily, I had to put in effort
They riding the wave like a surf board
They're following along with my success
While the boy hotter than the earth core
I am extremely popular and successful
Told her wait 'til I go get my cash right
I told her to be patient until I have enough money
When the money was low she didn't act right
When I had less money, she didn't behave properly
Caught up living in the fast life
Caught up in a lifestyle of luxury and excitement
To be the boss I paid the mad price
I had to sacrifice greatly to become successful
I be with some women watching Friday
I hang out with women and have a good time
Smoking spliffs up on the highway
Smoking marijuana while driving on the highway
Shawty call me royal highness
She refers to me as her royal highness
'Cause I did this shit my way
Because I achieved success through my own unique methods
Oh for real?
Is that true?
Real expensive, my clothes
My clothes are truly luxurious and costly
I'm reinventing flows
I am creating and revolutionizing rap styles
Presidential, my smoke
My marijuana is of the highest quality
You guys are little clones
You all are unoriginal and copying each other
Go 'head and wash your self up
Go clean yourself, improve your image
The only loud smell should be the dope
The only strong smell should be the marijuana
Everything else is top shelf
Everything else I possess is of the highest quality
Dinner on a boat, smoking a joint
Having a luxurious dinner while smoking marijuana
I call that time to kill
I consider that the perfect moment to relax and enjoy
I don't trip, I let shit slide
I don't get upset, I don't let things bother me
But niggas 'round me will
But the people around me will get angry
5K, Vegas at Tao
Spending $5,000 in Las Vegas at the Tao nightclub
The owner paid the bill, best seats
The owner covered the expenses, giving us the best seats
We at the game, I'm ashing on the field
We're at a sports event, and I'm casually smoking on the field
Soon as we board the plane, they screwing up they faces
As soon as we get on the plane, people start expressing negativity
Money in cases, old watches, colorful bracelets
I carry money in briefcases, wear vintage watches, and colorful bracelets
Some of us famous
Some of us are well-known and successful
The others just started they come-up
While the rest are just beginning their journey towards success
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cameron Thomaz, Casey Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Don-sq8ez
This song is so underrated. Bumped this probably 5 times a day my freshman year of college.
@203Rez
the ENTIRE album is underrated
@lazyouty7786
Can't get tired of this song.
@Langston.Williams444
wiz has the best flow in the game
@L6C303
That's an understatement
@briansee7641
Facts
@GUAPOBENJA
I showed this song to my grass and it turned into weed
@kudi4937
GUAPOBENJA LoL
@vanaprasthaoutdoors7215
I showed this song to my weed to smoke it....
@TheDayers123
GUAPOBENJA it happens 🤷🏽♂️😂😂