“My fans know I don’t need a $10,000 beat to have a good song they know I can just step in the studio and do it.” — Wiz
Word. Wiz’s presence on the mic is that of the kid who doesn’t need to warm up or even lace up his sneakers to come straight out of the bleachers, take the rock and dunk. Then, he casually slips back on his headphones and slinks out the gym, nodding along the way.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Download — Wiz Khalifa – “Wassup”


The Caliph (Arabic: ??????; /khal?fah/) is the head of state in a Caliphate, and the title for the leader of the Islamic Ummah, an Islamic community ruled by the Shari’ah. It is a transliterated version of the Arabic word ????? Khal?fah (help·info) which means “successor” or “representative”. The early leaders of the Muslim nation following Muhammad’s (570–632) death were called “Khalifat Rasul Allah”, the political successors to the messenger of God (referring to Muhammad). Some academics prefer to transliterate the term as Khal?fah.
But anyway as for this ‘acapella’ tis not bad, nothing mind blowing, from what I have heard of Wiz he oft rhymes about materialistic delusions, he ain’t quite pulling in the monies like Curtis is for example, yet some of rhymes make it out like he is living large like Hugh Hefner.
The kid has potential though, I’ll give him that.
See that whole first paragraph? Right?
Don’t ask why when the word is given.
Gotty, duly noted. ;) :)
But anyway has Wiz been picked up by another major now or is still rolling dolo/mixtape route?
Half these rappers, majors won’t trouble w/them. The best bet is to stay end, release music and try to cultivate a fanbase who might buy a Koch/digital release and get a little show money.
See that whole first paragraph? Right?
Don’t ask why when the word is given.
====================================
Roffles!
But why can’t they stay indie, with hold their intellectual property and cut a marketing and distribution deal with a major? Isn’t that how the upstart labels did it back in the day for example Rap-A-Lot and Death Row?
If they can cut a deal with KOCH or Amalgam Digital then surely they bring some bargaining chips to the major labels in the form of their intellectual property.
Correct me if I am wrong, but the impression I got a couple of years ago, was that Warners signed Wiz to try and mould him into the next Souljah Boy. But that game plan obviously never came to fruition.
I hate to say this but if Wiz doesn’t step up his game then I’m projecting that he will swimming a no where stream pretty much like Joe Budden. The talent is there, but is dude content with cultivating a cult fanbase via the mixtape or KOCH route?
I hate to say this but if Wiz doesn’t step up his game then I’m projecting that he will swimming a no where stream pretty much like Joe Budden. The talent is there, but is dude content with cultivating a cult fanbase via the mixtape or KOCH route?
===============
bargaining chips, maybe. I could be wrong but I think most majors are seeking 360 deals, at least in other genres. Not sure wtf is going on w/rap.
Content is relative to the person. My stance has always been if I could be financially comfortable pursuing my art, I’d do it. If that means making an average living but being able to live the life of an artist, so be it. But will cats who’ve come up watching others gain NBA fame and finances be satisfied w/NBDL contracts?
My stance has always been if I could be financially comfortable pursuing my art, I’d do it. If that means making an average living but being able to live the life of an artist, so be it.
=============================================================
I think these new crop of rappers understand this to a certain extent. If the talent & dedication is there, the money will come…eventually. It’s more about the grind now then it ever has been. If cats are looking to get rich off rap, they’d have better odds playing the lottery.
@Gotty, I can’t see the majors budging, they’re already eating well off the likes of Jay-Z, Kanye West, 50 Cent and of course The Black Eyed Peas, they’ll milk the art for every last drop. I don’t see them unravelling a 360 deal for ‘upstart’ rap artist. It’s pretty much like a bank weighing up if it is worthwhile giving an upstart business a loan, is it economically viable? Nowadays most likely not.
I always envisaged that the successful artists would drip feed back into the art at grass roots level so the next crop could come up. You know like get their heads togrther and establish decent marketing and distribution channels, recording budgets and so forth. Basically, everybody gets to eat, but naa man, the majors just seem to have absorbed it all away within their conglomorate bubbles.
Content and humbleness isn’t a word I would generally associated with rap music, so for the most part, naa can’t see heads being content with NBDL contracts. :)
Cats like Wiz Khalifa, Charles Hamilton and BLU are unlucky because the talent is definitely there, the majors had them at one time, but for one reason or another they don’t trust the ability of these guys to allow them to release music with their integrity intact.
I liked Wiz on his collab with Curren$y but his solo material is very low budget and ass to me. I mean I loved the Howe Fly tape but solo I just cant get with it? IDK
MAYN HOL’UP
^^^ Flight School was dope. I’m a fan, but some of his stuff has been luke warm as of late. The album should’ve been one of the better joints of the 4th quarter… should’ve.
Two Words: How High
Curren$y made that mixtape noteable but Wiz was dope too, one of them best mixtapes of 09
How Fly******
A Wiz goodie from Flight School, feelin it…
Love the DeAndre Way-ness towards the last like 30 seconds…
Khalifa does Souja Boi better than Souja Boi.
check out the wiz khalifa and curren$y fan site http://www.askhowfly.com
I’m late to this conversation but i think, they don’t wanna major. Yeah its true that the major labels did wanna sign em at one point, for example wiz khalifa and curren$y. if they both stayed on their labels, i can see a little more money and exposure coming their way. Even though im 17, i feel you never chase the money, the money will come to you if you got “the dream” planned ahead. This is like the difference between mainstream rap and underground rap to me. If you pursue the money instead of the music, the money will mostly take over you cuhz its material unlike rap. A rapper like Curren$y had the majors years ago, shifting from No Limit, when it was in its prime and recently Cash Money, which i an imagine he would have everything he ever wanted if he were still w/ them now.
I mean i can understand why the major labels wont sign many young artists, it would be a risky move. Ask yourself would you rather focus your money on a successful, money making rapper, or a small time rapper who isnt a mainstream artist. To me im not taking no chances, speaking from a business perspective, but if i wanted (and i do) a rap group such as “creative control” that refuses to major nd keep a steady paced audience that loves the music, i would pursue it without a doubt.
i like the creativity