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.
Wake Up
Wiz Khalifa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wake up, wake up, I don't wanna wake up, wake up
Wake up, wake up, I don't wanna wake up, wake up
Yeah I'm straight never switch lanes
On my job every day 'cause it's hard not to see
I came up in a big way
And I hardly ever sleep but it's like a dream
I don't wanna wake up from, I don't wanna wake up from
Don't wanna wake up from
Uh, long days, but I know hard work pays
So the money getting long to
And the kush smell strong too,
That's that good and that chick with me she the bomb to
One thing I know is go hard young make fake niggas know this
Blowing money 'cause you die if you don't live
That's how you know I was fly when I wrote this
First class tags or maybe I'm the first 'cause of my first class swag
Used to say that I was trippin' so a nigga bought expensive ass bags
Yeah I'm straight never switch lanes
On my job every day 'cause it's hard not to see
I came up in a big way
And I hardly ever sleep but it's like a dream
I don't wanna wake up from, don't wanna wake up
I don't wanna wake up from, I don't wanna wake up from
Don't wanna wake up from
Go hard young, go hard
They let you in the game better play your part
Go hard young, go hard
And if you win the game might as well play smart
'cause I've seen niggas fold like paper,
Got money seen friends turn haters
Got money minor league turn major,
Got money white people turn neighbors
Meet a girl teach her how to roll papers,
Six months three whips so player
Run my town like the mayor
I run my town bitch I'm like the mayor
Yeah I'm straight never switch lanes
On my job every day 'cause it's hard not to see
I came up in a big way
And I hardly ever sleep but it's like a dream
I don't wanna wake up from, don't wanna wake up
I don't wanna wake up from, I don't wanna wake up from
Don't wanna wake up from
I can take you up higher than you ever known
Let you touch what you want
Hit it once and you won't let go, hell no
Let you lean back inhale smoke
Yeah I'm straight never switch lanes
On my job every day 'cause it's hard not to see
I came up in a big way
And I hardly ever sleep but it's like a dream
I don't wanna wake up from, don't wanna wake up
I don't wanna wake up from, I don't wanna wake up from
Don't wanna wake up from
Yeah I'm straight never switch lanes
On my job every day 'cause it's hard not to see
I came up in a big way
And I hardly ever sleep but it's like a dream
I don't wanna wake up from, don't wanna wake up
I don't wanna wake up from, I don't wanna wake up from
Don't wanna wake up from
In the song "Wake Up" by Wiz Khalifa, the artist is expressing his desire to stay in his current state of success and not have to go back to his old life. He talks about his strong work ethic and how it has paid off for him, allowing him to live a life of luxury with expensive bags, first-class flights, and plenty of money to blow. He emphasizes the importance of going hard every day and staying true to oneself, warning of the dangers of fake people and haters who may turn on you. Ultimately, Wiz doesn't want to wake up from this dream-like life he's living and he's going to keep going hard to make sure he doesn't have to.
Line by Line Meaning
Wake up, wake up, I don't wanna wake up, wake up
The artist is expressing his reluctance to leave the state of euphoria that he is currently in.
Yeah I'm straight never switch lanes
The artist is steadfast in his beliefs and is not easily influenced by others.
On my job every day 'cause it's hard not to see
The artist is constantly working hard and remaining focused because he is aware of the opportunities that could arise if he stops.
I came up in a big way
The artist has had a significant rise to fame and fortune.
And I hardly ever sleep but it's like a dream
The artist works tirelessly, but the rewards make it all worthwhile and feel like a dream.
I don't wanna wake up from, don't wanna wake up
The artist is so content with his current position that he does not want to leave it.
Go hard young, go hard
The artist is encouraging others to work hard and achieve their dreams.
They let you in the game better play your part
If you are given an opportunity, it is important to make the most of it and perform well.
And if you win the game might as well play smart
If you achieve success, it is important to be smart and make wise decisions.
Got money seen friends turn haters
The artist has experienced the negative effects of money on friendships, causing some to turn sour.
Run my town like the mayor
The artist is confident and feels in control of his surroundings, similar to the way a mayor might be in control of their town.
I can take you up higher than you ever known
The artist is capable of introducing others to new levels of success and happiness.
Let you touch what you want
The artist is willing to share his success and allow others to achieve their own goals.
Hit it once and you won't let go, hell no
Once someone experiences success, they will not want to let it go.
Yeah I'm straight never switch lanes
The artist reiterates his steadfast mentality.
On my job every day 'cause it's hard not to see
The artist knows that hard work will pay off in the end.
I don't wanna wake up from, don't wanna wake up
The artist is content with his current situation and does not want to leave it.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MIKKEL ERIKSEN, TOR HERMANSEN, C. THOMAZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Redjae Steez
Why does this song make me miss how life was 10 years ago
Joekage
Being 14 was fun
Joekage
Same
camdon green
Forreal had this cd in the car
Rebecca Pineapple
Lmfao I haven't heard this song since 10 years ago. 2013 graduated h.s.
heidi marsh
this song make me miss how life was 10 years ago
I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music. Go for authentic views
Brett Karling
Same can't believe this song doesn't have more views, I love it.
Ryan S
👏🏽👏🏽
Happy Flow
This song allows me to remind myself of all the old memories & realize how much life has evolved tremendously since then.
David
Yea but not by much tho