Wiz Khalifa is a popular American rapper, singer, and songwriter who has been active in the music industry since the early 2000s. He first gained attention with the release of his debut single “Black and Yellow” in 2011, which became a massive hit and propelled him into mainstream success. Let’s take a closer look at Wiz Khalifa’s background and find out exactly how old he is today.
Wiz Khalifa’s Early Life and Career Beginnings
Wiz Khalifa was born Cameron Jibril Thomaz on September 8, 1987 in Minot, North Dakota. His parents were serving in the military at the time of his birth. Wiz’s parents divorced when he was about three years old, and he moved with his mother to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania after the split.
Wiz Khalifa started rapping at a young age and released his first mixtape under the name “Prince of the City: Welcome to Pistolvania” in 2005 when he was just 16 years old. He chose the stage name “Wiz Khalifa” as a tribute to his love of marijuana – “Khalifa” means “successor” in Arabic and is also the name of a Moroccan cannabis strain.
Over the next few years, Wiz released several more mixtapes and caught the attention of the acclaimed rapper Drake. In 2008, he signed with Warner Bros. Records and began work on his debut studio album “Show and Prove.” The album was released in September 2006 and received positive reviews, firmly establishing Wiz on the hip hop scene.
Breakthrough with Atlantic Records
In 2010, Wiz Khalifa parted ways with Warner Bros. Records and signed with Atlantic Records. This marked a major breakthrough in his career. Under Atlantic, Wiz released the mixtape “Kush and Orange Juice” in April 2010 to critical acclaim. The mixtape featured his first major hit single “Black and Yellow.”
“Black and Yellow” became a huge crossover success, peaking at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The song became massive popular beyond just hip hop audiences, propelling Wiz Khalifa into mainstream stardom. His debut studio album for Atlantic, “Rolling Papers,” was released in March 2011 and also proved to be a major commercial success.
Continued Success and Recent Years
After the breakthrough of “Rolling Papers,” Wiz Khalifa continued releasing new music and collaborating with other artists. Some highlights over the years include:
- 2012 – Released sophomore album “O.N.I.F.C.” featuring hit single “Work Hard, Play Hard.”
- 2015 – Released “See You Again” with Charlie Puth for the Furious 7 soundtrack. The song hit #1 and became one of the best selling singles of all time.
- 2016 – Released his fifth studio album “Khalifa,” which debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200.
- 2018 – Collaborated with several artists on the hit “Young, Wild & Free.”
- 2022 – Dropped his seventh studio album “Multivision” and appeared on summer hit “Staying Alive” by The Black Eyed Peas.
Over his career spanning more than 15 years, Wiz Khalifa has become an instantly recognizable force in hip hop and popular music. He has released multiple top ten albums and dozens of hit singles. He has proven himself a bankable artist capable of thriving both as a solo act and powerful collaborator.
Wiz Khalifa’s Age Today
So how old is Wiz Khalifa today in 2023? Based on his birthdate of September 8, 1987, Wiz Khalifa is currently 35 years old. He turned 35 in 2022 and will be turning 36 later this year in September 2023.
Here is a quick overview of Wiz Khalifa’s age over the years:
| Year | Wiz Khalifa’s Age |
|---|---|
| 1987 (Birth Year) | 0 years old |
| 2000 (Age 13) | 13 years old |
| 2005 (Released first mixtape) | 18 years old |
| 2010 (Signed with Atlantic Records) | 23 years old |
| 2022 (Current Year) | 35 years old |
As the table illustrates, Wiz Khalifa was just a teenager when he started releasing music in the early 2000s. By the time he achieved mainstream success in 2011 at age 24, he already had many years of experience honing his craft and developing his sound.
Today at 35, Wiz Khalifa is a veteran hip hop icon with an impressive catalogue of music behind him. But he still maintains his youthful energy and continues putting out new hits for his adoring fans around the world.
Wiz Khalifa’s Personal Life
In his personal life, Wiz Khalifa was married to model and actress Amber Rose from 2013 to 2014. The two have one child together, a son named Sebastian Taylor Thomaz born in 2013.
Wiz Khalifa got engaged to model Winnie Harlow in 2022. However, the two called off their engagement after one year. Wiz maintains a close relationship with his son Sebastian despite the split from Amber Rose.
Aside from his music, Wiz is known for his love of marijuana and has been open about his regular cannabis use. He is involved in business ventures surrounding marijuana, including his own cannabis company Khalifa Kush Enterprises.
Wiz Khalifa’s Legacy and Impact
At just 35 years old, Wiz Khalifa has already cemented himself as a prominent force in hip hop music over the past decade. Some of his key achievements and impacts include:
- Pioneering a melodic rap style that fused hip hop with pop and dance elements
- Notching multiple #1 albums on the Billboard 200 chart
- Earning over 15 million RIAA certifications including plaques for 3x platinum and 5x platinum singles
- Collaborating with top artists like Snoop Dogg, Juicy J, Ty Dolla $ign, and Charlie Puth
- Influencing a new generation of rappers with his laid-back style and knack for earworm hooks
- Earning over 50 million monthly listeners on Spotify solidifying his star status
Given his young age, Wiz Khalifa still likely has decades of music ahead of him. It will be exciting to see how he continues evolving his artistry and legacy in the years to come. Regardless, his impact and catalog of hits at just 35 ensure Wiz Khalifa has already cemented his place as a 2010s hip hop icon.
Conclusion
In summary, acclaimed rapper Wiz Khalifa was born on September 8, 1987, making him 35 years old as of 2023. Though still a young artist, he has already made an undeniable impact on hip hop music over the past 15 years. With his laid-back flow, knack for melodies, and continuous pursuit of new sounds, Wiz Khalifa remains an influential force to watch at 35 years old and beyond.
