Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Wiz Khalifa

How Wiz Khalifa built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Wiz Khalifa, born Cameron Jibril Thomaz, is an American rapper from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He started his career by signing with Rostrum Records, where he released his debut album, Show and Prove in 2006. He later signed a short-lived deal with Warner Bros. Records. His 2008 single, "Say Yeah," gained traction on urban radio, marking his initial success by charting on both the Rhythmic Top 40 and Hot Rap Songs charts.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2004: Discovery by Benjy Grinberg

In 2004, Rostrum Records president Benjy Grinberg first heard about Wiz Khalifa. Wiz Khalifa's contribution to a mixtape of Pittsburgh artists attracted his interest and led to Wiz Khalifa signing with the label shortly after.

2005: First Mixtape Release

In 2005, Wiz Khalifa released his first mixtape, Prince of the City: Welcome to Pistolvania.

2006: Debut Album Release

In 2006, Wiz Khalifa released his debut studio album, Show and Prove, on Rostrum Records.

2006: Debut Album Release and Recognition

In 2006, Wiz Khalifa released his first full-length album entitled Show and Prove. That year, he was declared an "artist to watch" in Rolling Stone magazine.

July 4, 2007: Grow Season Mixtape Release

On July 4, 2007, Wiz Khalifa released the mixtape Grow Season, hosted by DJ Green Lantern, through Rostrum Records.

November 20, 2007: Prince of the City 2 Mixtape Release

On November 20, 2007, Wiz Khalifa released the mixtape Prince of the City 2 through Rostrum Records.

August 2, 2008: Performance at U92's Summer Jam

On August 2, 2008, Wiz Khalifa appeared with The Game, David Banner, and Play-n-Skillz at U92's Summer Jam at the USANA Amphitheatre in West Valley City, Utah.

September 2008: Star Power Mixtape Release

In September 2008, Wiz Khalifa released the mixtape Star Power on Rostrum Records.

2008: Taylor Gang Entertainment Founded

In 2008, Wiz Khalifa founded the record label Taylor Gang Entertainment, through which he has signed artists including Juicy J, Ty Dolla Sign, and Berner.

2008: "Say Yeah" Single Release

In 2008, Wiz Khalifa's Eurodance-influenced single, "Say Yeah", received urban radio airplay, entered the Rhythmic Top 40 and Hot Rap Songs charts, marking his first minor hit.

April 2009: Flight School Mixtape Release

In April 2009, Wiz Khalifa released the mixtape Flight School on Rostrum Records.

July 2009: Departure from Warner Bros. Records

In July 2009, Wiz Khalifa parted ways with Warner Bros. Records due to delays in releasing his planned debut album, First Flight. He expressed that he matured as an artist during his time there and was happy to move on with control over his next moves.

July 31, 2009: Performance and Announcement of Departure

On July 31, 2009, Wiz Khalifa appeared with various artists at the Amphitheatre at Station Square in Pittsburgh, where he announced that his relationship with Warner Bros. was over.

August 9, 2009: "Teach U to Fly" Release and "How Fly" Mixtape

On August 9, 2009, Wiz Khalifa released the single "Teach U to Fly", and the mixtape How Fly, a collaboration with New Orleans rapper Curren$y.

November 2, 2009: Burn After Rolling Mixtape Release

On November 2, 2009, Wiz Khalifa released the mixtape Burn After Rolling, where he rapped over familiar beats from other artists.

November 24, 2009: Deal or No Deal Album Release

On November 24, 2009, Wiz Khalifa released his second album, Deal or No Deal.

2009: Independent Album Release

In 2009, Wiz Khalifa parted ways with Warner Bros. and independently released his second album, Deal or No Deal.

March 2010: Performance at SXSW and XXL Recognition

In March 2010, Wiz Khalifa performed at Emo's in Austin, Texas, as part of the 2010 South by Southwest Music Festival. He also appeared on the cover of XXL magazine's annual Top 10 Freshman list.

April 14, 2010: Kush and Orange Juice Mixtape Release

On April 14, 2010, Wiz Khalifa released the free mixtape Kush and Orange Juice for download, which became a trending topic on Twitter.

April 2010: Speculation of Signing with Atlantic Records

In April 2010, New York magazine cited music industry insiders reporting that Wiz Khalifa signed with Atlantic Records.

May 2010: Performance at Soundset Festival

In May 2010, Wiz Khalifa appeared at the Soundset festival in Minneapolis, Minnesota, alongside other artists.

June 2010: Working on New Album

In June 2010, Wiz Khalifa stated to AllHipHop that he was working on a new album but was still deciding on a label.

July 2010: Signing with Atlantic Records

In July 2010, Wiz Khalifa signed with Atlantic Records. He adopted an urban hip-hop-influenced approach for his debut single for the label, "Black and Yellow."

August 2010: Collaborations and MTV Award

In August 2010, Wiz Khalifa guested on Wale's mixtape More About Nothing and was named MTV's Hottest Breakthrough MC of 2010.

2010: "Scaling the Building" Collaboration

In 2010, Wiz Khalifa appeared with Curren$y on the track "Scaling the Building" on producer Ski Beatz' album, 24 Hour Karate School.

March 29, 2011: Rolling Papers Album Release

On March 29, 2011, Wiz Khalifa released his first studio album, Rolling Papers, in the US, which debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart.

March 31, 2011: Performance at Emory University

On March 31, 2011, Wiz Khalifa performed at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of the school's annual Dooley's Weekend.

June 2011: "Till I'm Gone" Collaboration

At the end of June 2011, Wiz Khalifa collaborated with British rapper Tinie Tempah on the single "Till I'm Gone", produced by Stargate. The single and music video were released.

June 26, 2011: BET Award Win

On June 26, 2011, Wiz Khalifa won Best New Artist at the BET Awards of 2011.

2011: Release of Rolling Papers

In 2011, Wiz Khalifa released his third album and major label debut, Rolling Papers. The album peaked at number two on the Billboard 200.

2011: "Black and Yellow" Success

In 2011, Wiz Khalifa's first single for Rostrum/Atlantic, "Black and Yellow", peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100.

April 11, 2012: Announcement of O.N.I.F.C.

On April 11, 2012, Wiz Khalifa announced his second studio album titled Only Nigga In First Class, abbreviated as O.N.I.F.C. for mainstream release.

2012: Acting Role in Mac & Devin Go to High School

In 2012, Wiz Khalifa delved into acting with a lead role alongside Snoop Dogg in the stoner comedy film Mac & Devin Go to High School.

2012: Release of O.N.I.F.C.

In 2012, Wiz Khalifa released his fourth album, O.N.I.F.C., which received mixed reviews and was supported by the singles "Work Hard, Play Hard" and "Remember You" (featuring the Weeknd).

April 2013: New Album Plans

In April 2013, Wiz Khalifa revealed his plans to release a new album in 2013, inspired by becoming a father.

April 17, 2013: Collaboration EP Announcement

On April 17, 2013, Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y announced the release of their collaborative EP Live in Concert, scheduled for April 20, 2013.

April 20, 2013: Live in Concert EP Release

On April 20, 2013, Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y released their collaboration EP Live in Concert, featuring seven new songs.

June 24, 2013: Blacc Hollywood Album Title Announcement

On June 24, 2013, Wiz Khalifa announced that his fifth studio album would be titled Blacc Hollywood and would be released in 2013.

September 3, 2013: Collaborations for Blacc Hollywood

On September 3, 2013, Wiz Khalifa revealed that he had recorded songs with Miley Cyrus and Juicy J for his Blacc Hollywood album.

October 2013: Mannie Fresh's Production Contribution

In October 2013, Mannie Fresh confirmed that he provided production for Wiz Khalifa's album Blacc Hollywood.

February 11, 2014: "We Dem Boyz" Single Release

On February 11, 2014, Wiz Khalifa released "We Dem Boyz" as the first single from his Blacc Hollywood album.

2014: Sponsorship by The Cookie Company

As of early 2014, Wiz Khalifa is sponsored by The Cookie Company, a medical marijuana dispensary that sells his "Khalifa Kush" (KK) strain, which he partnered with RiverRock Cannabis to create.

2014: Blacc Hollywood Debuts at Number One

In 2014, Wiz Khalifa's fifth album, Blacc Hollywood, became his first to debut atop the Billboard 200, supported by the single "We Dem Boyz."

January 23, 2015: Featured on "Uma Thurman" Remix

On January 23, 2015, Wiz Khalifa was featured on a remix of the Fall Out Boy song "Uma Thurman".

March 31, 2015: EP Release and "See You Again"

On March 31, 2015, Wiz Khalifa released an EP with Ty Dolla $ign, Talk About It in the Morning. He also released "See You Again" with Charlie Puth as a tribute to Paul Walker.

December 15, 2015: "Cabin Fever 3" Mixtape Release

On December 15, 2015, Wiz Khalifa released his mixtape "Cabin Fever 3".

2015: Release of "See You Again"

In 2015, Wiz Khalifa released "See You Again" (featuring Charlie Puth) for the Furious 7 soundtrack, as a tribute to Paul Walker. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 weeks and received a diamond certification.

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January 10, 2016: Album Announcement at Golden Globes

During the Golden Globes on January 10, 2016, Wiz Khalifa announced that his next album, titled Khalifa, would be released on January 22nd.

February 5, 2016: "Khalifa" Album Release

On February 5, 2016, Wiz Khalifa released his album titled "Khalifa".

May 24, 2016: "Pull Up" Single Release

On May 24, 2016, Wiz Khalifa released "Pull Up", a standalone single, to promote his upcoming sixth album, Rolling Papers 2.

2016: Lawsuit against Former Manager

In 2016, Wiz Khalifa sued his former manager, Benjy Grinberg, and Rostrum Records, citing an unfair "360 deal" and seeking $1 million in compensation along with punitive damages and attorney fees, ending their 10-year partnership.

2016: Khalifa Kush Launch

In 2016, known for his abundant usage of cannabis, Wiz Khalifa launched his own cannabis brand, Khalifa Kush.

July 13, 2018: "Rolling Papers 2" Album Release

On July 13, 2018, Wiz Khalifa released his sixth album, "Rolling Papers 2".

2018: Rolling Papers 2 Release

In 2018, Wiz Khalifa released his sixth album, Rolling Papers 2, which matched its predecessor's chart position and featured the single "Something New" (featuring Ty Dolla Sign).

April 20, 2020: Release of "The Saga of Wiz Khalifa" EP

On April 20, 2020, Wiz Khalifa released a new EP, "The Saga of Wiz Khalifa", which featured collaborations with Tyga, Logic, Mustard, and Ty Dolla $ign.