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.
What It Is
Wiz Khalifa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I see you workin’ for it
I see you workin’ for it but is it worth it?
Papoose… peace to Wiz Khalifa bamboo paper
Rolling a splif of reefer
Hit the homie up on the DM he did the feature
E&J Courvoisier dude saying to mix tequila
Back when I was broke
Bought a slice and split the pizza
Took the souls outta my Jordan’s so
I could fit the sneakers
Now it's dead presidents more
Franklins than Aretha
Loving hip hop I got guns
Just like my nigga Peter
Black revolver the gold
Cylinder nine millimetre
More HAM but y’all don’t know nan nigga
Trick or teater haters taggin’ me on the gram
We two different creatures you
Gram taggin’ I’m
Toe taggin’ in up in the freezer
Album blowing up Nagasaki and
Hiroshima touring over seas
No guilt but I did arenas
Russel Wilson-Ciara Barack-Michelle
Swiss-Alicia
School of black love professor Pap
I am the teacher
Is it real, is it worth it
Grindin’ all of your life, your life
How's it feel when I prove you wrong
Right in front of your eyes yeah, oh yeah
I see you workin for it, oh yeah
I see you workin for it, oh yeah
I see you workin for it, oh
But is it worth it, oh
School of pot heads when they told
Me that drugs was bad
Push forward when they surprised
I’m moving fast
Come down do it I go first don’t do it last
Thought the they was better
My thought process surpassed
No more standing in line you
Can’t make me wait
Roll up six at a time you can tell I’m baked
Slo mo cruising my ride and
My girl look great and my son is straight
He don’t gotta complain
This generational wealth I leave it
All in his name
You gotta fend for yourself leaving out
With what you came with
Gotta boss up in this game can’t
Keep doing the same shit
If you talking billions you
Speaking my language
Check my status roll a j the fastest
Quit buying chick’s bags boy
You thinking backwards
Need to take a lesson off of Wiz and Pap
Raise your fam make a mil and give it back
Is it real, is it worth it
Grindin’ all of your life, your life
How's it feel when I prove you wrong
Right in front of your eyes yeah, oh yeah
I see you workin for it, oh yeah
I see you workin for it, oh yeah
I see you workin for it, oh
But is it worth it?, oh
I see you workin for it, oh yeah
I see you workin for it, oh yeah
I see you workin for it, oh
But is it worth it?, oh
The lyrics to Wiz Khalifa's "What It Is" reflect themes of hard work, perseverance, and questioning the value of one's efforts. The first verse highlights the dedication and hustle of individuals striving towards their goals, acknowledging the commitment and effort they put into their pursuits. However, the repeated question of "is it worth it?" suggests a sense of introspection and doubt about whether the sacrifices and labor invested will ultimately pay off in a meaningful way.
Papoose's verse delves into personal experiences of struggle and growth, touching on moments of financial hardship and resourcefulness. He reminisces about times when he couldn't afford luxuries like a whole pizza or fitting sneakers, illustrating the journey from lack to abundance through hard work and determination. The references to cultural icons like Ray J, Moesha, and historical figures like Franklin and Aretha Franklin add depth to his self-reflection on success and overcoming adversity.
The chorus further explores the existential contemplation of one's labor and achievements, questioning the reality and worth of the grind throughout life. The lyrics pose a challenge to skeptics and doubters, asserting the satisfaction of proving them wrong through perseverance and success. The repetition of "I see you workin for it" emphasizes the acknowledgment of the effort put in by individuals, while the underlying inquiry of "is it worth it?" lingers as a contemplative thread throughout the song.
In the final verse, the narrative shifts to a reflection on generational wealth and responsibility. The importance of leaving a legacy for one's family is underscored, urging listeners to break free from cyclic behavior and strive for greater success. The advice to learn from role models like Wiz and Papoose emphasizes the importance of growth, giving back, and making a positive impact beyond personal gain. The song encapsulates a journey of self-discovery, self-improvement, and selflessness, inviting listeners to ponder the true value and impact of their endeavors in the grand scheme of life.
Line by Line Meaning
I see you workin’ for it
Observing your effort and dedication
I see you workin’ for it
Recognizing your hard work and perseverance
I see you workin’ for it but is it worth it?
Questioning the value and satisfaction of your efforts
Papoose… peace to Wiz Khalifa bamboo paper
Acknowledging and paying respect to collaborators and influences
Rolling a splif of reefer
Rolling a joint of marijuana
Hit the homie up on the DM he did the feature
Contacting a friend through direct message for a collaboration
E&J Courvoisier dude saying to mix tequila
Mixing different types of alcohol
Ask Ray J I sip more Brandy than Moesha
Referencing a preference for Brandy over other drinks
Back when I was broke
Recollecting a time of financial struggle
Bought a slice and split the pizza
Buying food and sharing limited resources
Took the souls outta my Jordan’s so I could fit the sneakers
Modifying shoes to make them fit
Now it's dead presidents more Franklins than Aretha
Having more money in the form of bills with presidents' faces on them
Loving hip hop I got guns just like my nigga Peter
Expressing love for hip hop music and owning firearms
Black revolver the gold cylinder nine millimetre
Describing a specific type of gun
More HAM but y’all don’t know nan nigga
Going harder than others realize
Trick or teater haters taggin’ me on the gram
Dealing with negative attention on social media
We two different creatures you
Acknowledging differences between individuals
Gram taggin’ I’m
Mentioning posts on Instagram
Toe taggin’ in up in the freezer
Implying a deadly outcome for enemies
Album blowing up Nagasaki and Hiroshima touring over seas
Gaining widespread attention and success in music
No guilt but I did arenas Russel Wilson-Ciara Barack-Michelle Swiss-Alicia
Achieving success without regrets and naming power couples
School of black love professor Pap I am the teacher
Positioning oneself as a leader in promoting black love
Is it real, is it worth it
Questioning the authenticity and value of one's pursuits
Grindin’ all of your life, your life
Working hard consistently throughout life
How's it feel when I prove you wrong
Showing satisfaction in proving doubters wrong
Right in front of your eyes yeah, oh yeah
Demonstrating success visibly and confidently
I see you workin for it, oh yeah
Noticing continued effort and determination
But is it worth it, oh
Questioning the benefits and rewards of the work
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRADY WATT, CAMERON JIBRIL THOMAZ, SHAMELE MACKIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@EliteStudio
Endless catalog of bangers
@richarddean8513
Chuuch
@zeldrisanders
U ain’t lying
@edgarsaldana6952
Church.......Preach........................Tabernacle..............
@RK7even
You never miss. Been my favorite artist for 11years now, much respect for the constant grind throughout the years
@damonandrews9409
Bruh I'm Taylor gang through and through but you delusional as fuck. So many misses tbh
@tyrekeswag
W
@gabrielherrera7902
Igual a mi lleva siendo mi artista favorito desde el 2015
Eterna leyenda wiz❤
@ianpecqueux5598
Same here tgod . Been here since day 1
@darriussyiemlieh21
Same bro😎