Happy Birthday, Wiz Khalifa!
Wiz Khalifa has endured a lot of criticism for his stagnant topical range (his upcoming album carries The Weed Album as its subtitle), his wiry frame and his breakup with Amber Rose. However, one thing that can't be denied is his star power. Khalifa turns 28 years old today (Sept. 8).
The rapper is credited with putting Pittsburgh on the map, making Taylor Gang into a lifestyle and injecting some life into Juicy J's late career renaissance. His early mixtapes and debut album, Show and Prove, showed potential, but their effect was innocuous compared to 2010's Kush & OJ. Khalifa displayed his impressive ear for beats and solid rhymes, which won over a nation of fans.
But many rappers release a dynamite mixtape only to disappoint when it comes time to release a studio album. Khalifa quickly proved he wasn't one of them. Rolling Papers, his third album, was notable for having the inescapable "Black and Yellow." The No. 1 single also doubled as Pittsburgh's anthem, although Khalifa later clarified he was talking about the color of his car.
Although his mixtape releases are still events, Khalifa's albums have pretty much followed the same formula: standard raps about weed-laden excess with one undeniable single. O.N.I.F.C. was pushed by "Work Hard, Play Hard" and Blacc Hollywood was catapulted by "We Dem Boyz." Khalifa's most recent Billboard No. 1 hit is "See You Again," which was placed at the end of the blockbuster film Furious 7 as a tribute to Paul Walker.
Now we wait for his next hit. But his latest album, Rolling Papers 2: The Weed Album, is on its way, and soon, there'll be another ubiquitous Khalifa track playing on your local DJ's Serato.
Watch Wiz Khalifa's "See You Again" Video Feat. Charlie Puth
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