What is a Wiz Khalifa?

What is a Wiz Khalifa we all ask? Cameron Jibril Thomaz is his birth name but picked up Wiz Khalifa. His stage name is derived from khalifa, an Arabic word meaning "successor", and wisdom, which was shortened to Wiz when Khalifa was a young boy. I've never heard of a rapper from Pittsburgh until 2008. He released his debut album, Show and Prove, in 2006, and signed to Warner Bros. Records in 2007. Left his 7 figure deal and became Independent in 2009.

His parents’ military service caused the family to move on a regular basis. Over the last decade, Khalifa lived in the U.S., Germany, England, and Japan. Khalifa has been influenced by artists such as Jay-Z, Cam’ron, and the Notorious B.I.G. The most famous question of late 2010, What Is Taylor Gang? As Wiz would say in a few words, “Taylor Gang is a lifestyle”. Taylor Gang is often associated with the famous Chuck Taylor shoes, which Wiz is famously known for wearing or the school where Wiz Khalifa started his movement, Taylor Allderdice High School. But when you ask the Taylor Gang General himself, he will tell you it is a movement. Taylor Gang is being comfortable with yourself and what your doing. So remember Taylor Gang or Die.

Wiz dropped Cabin Fever in early 2011 and was packed with great music. His first album Keep One Rolled was highly anticipated but was received as a commercial album. A lot of talk was circling around about him being to mainstream and in early 2012 he dropped his first single "Work Hard, Play Hard" it went gold then he announced his second album O.N.I.F.C. Only Nigga In First Class. Which means Only Nigga In First Class. With his second single he called in the new feature slayer 2 Chainz(Tity Boi) for a bangin Lex Luger beat to compose the song It's Nothin. He doesn't have a set date for his album release but its looking like we're going to get the Cabin Fever Khalifa!!

Sources (WiKi, HotNewHipHop, XXL)

Mr. Feature A.K.A. Ace Hood!!

Ace Hood is a "Ruthless" rapper from the "Gutta" who sheds his "Blood Sweat & Tears" into his work. Ace first came trough your radios with the smash hit "Cash Flow" feat. Rick Ross and T-Pain. Alot of Ace Hood's work is narrated by DJ Khaled. Khaled discovered Ace outside a radio station in South Florida. While working with DJ Khaled he gained the country's attention especially in 2009 earning a spot on the XXL Freshmen Cover

 Ace Hood has put out three studio albums. None have reached the status he would like. Be lyrically he nice.  All of his singles have gone gold but albums haven't. In those three albums you name an artist Ace has worked with them. From Talib Kweli, Nas, Lil Wayne, And The Game just to name a few. He can get anyone to spit a quick 16 on his song.  Not to mention it is rumored that he receives $100k when he spits his 16 on your song. (Which he does a lot of.) In 2011 he did 13 song features.

We The Best Music Group and YMCMB have combined giving him some good label mates.  In the future you can expect a lot more of Ace Hood. He hasn't reached his peek and isn't slowing down til he hits the top. In 2012 he has a feature that stands out with R. Kelly on a song called "It's On", which will appear on his Black Panties album. Ace Hood is planning to work on his fourth album with T-Pain, Rick Ross, R. Kelly, Meek Mill, Royce da 5'9", Nas, Tech N9ne, Kendrick Lamar, Plies, Teyana Taylor, Trae Tha Truth and his Cash Money label-mates Shanell, Mystikal & Busta Rhymes.

No where to go but up!!!!

Sources (WiKi, XXL, MTV RapFix)

Big Sean is too G.O.O.D.

As much as the west coast would love to claim this young beat slayer. They can only say they attributed to this young mans success. Big Sean also known as Sean Michael Anderson was born in Santa Monica (LA) California but raised in the D-Town (Detroit). He may shout out "west side" in some songs but he is referring to his home in the west side of Detroit. Rap wasn't the only avenue Big Sean could have gone down. He graduated from a technical high school with a 3.75 GPA. In his later years in high school, Sean gained a valuable relationship with Detroit hip hop station WHTD; he would show his rhyming skills on a weekly basis as part of a rap battle contest held by the station.

In 2005 Sean heard that Kanye West was going to be a local radio station. He waited outside until Kanye got there and begged Kanye to let him spit. Kanye allowed him to spit a quick 16 and was bobbing his head at the end. He got his demo and two years later, West finally signed Big Sean to G.O.O.D. Music. (Getting Out Our Dreams)

On September 30, 2007, Big Sean released his first official mix tape Finally Famous: The Mix tape. His hit single, "Get'cha Some", produced by WrighTrax, attained media attention and led to articles in The Source and the Detroit Metro Times. He also recorded a music video for "Get'cha Some", which was directed by Hype Williams. Sean released a second mix tape hosted by Mick Boogie on April 16, 2009, called UKNOWBIGSEAN. It featured the songs "Million Dollars", "Get'cha Some" and "Supa Dupa". This mix tape includes 30 tracks.Sean released a third mix tape hosted by Don Cannon on August 31, 2010 called Finally Famous Vol. 3: BIG. Features include Bun B, Chip tha Ripper, Curren$y, SAYITAINTTONE, Tyga, Drake, Mike Posner, Suai, Chuck Inglish, Asher Roth, Dom Kennedy, Boldy James, and Chiddy Bang. The mix tape includes 20 tracks. These mix tapes are to be crowned as some of his best work. With tours, features and endorsements coming in he had all the hype and confidence to drop his first studio album.

Finally Famous, Sean's debut studio album, was released June 28, 2011, and spawned three hit singles; "My Last", "Marvin & Chardonnay" and "Dance (A$$)". The album features guest appearances from Lupe Fiasco, John Legend, , Pharrell, Kanye West, Roscoe Dash, Wiz Khalifa, Chiddy Bang, Rick Ross, Pusha T and includes production from No I.D., The Legendary Traxster, Andrew "Pop" Wansel, Xaphoon Jones and The Neptunes.

I'm not sure there was one unhappy customer after his freshmen album. I sensed the feeling of listening to a young Kanye West when I heard this album. Sean has the talent to take him all the way to the top. If he can continue to deliver mix tapes and albums like his past work. There is no doubt that his craft will take him a long way.

As far as the future he is in the studio working on his next mix tape. Big Sean also keeps his fans happy with features and freestyles. Lil Wayne just released his first single off of his upcoming project "I am not a Human Being II" and as you may have guested it features none other than Big Sean. He has been working with his label mates on "Cruel Summer" which is GOOD Music's compilation album. Also featuring in his mentors short film. Big Sean and GOOD Music have the world on it's heels waiting for it's next project.

Meek Mill The DreamChaser!!!

Oh you sold 3 million records off your first album. Meek Mill had over 3 million downloads on a free mix tape in one week! When you hear "Meek Mill" what's first to your mind? The first to me is MMG and then his bike life in  the streets of Philly. He may be the most street artist to join this generation of Rap. He has the traits of Jadakiss, Ja Rule and D.M.X. With co-signs and features from just about every artist that has a say so.

It hasn't been all about rhymes though. As he says in the lyric of "Get Dis Money" he says..
"sixteen, we was out there on that curb first
With a quarter tryna see who get a bird first"
Meek has done the drug scene and jail as well. It is clear he is demolishing his nightmares and chasing his dreams. He is as true and loyal as they come. With  Rick Ross, Wale and Stalley he has nothing but opportunity to go to the top. Off one mix tape in 2011 he kept himself busy the entire year from shooting videos for club anthems "House Party" and "Ima Boss" not to mention "Tupac Back". While preparing his next mix tape he was on the road hitting several city venues and clubs.
One thing about Meek is that he is open to all business and has no hate for anyone in the industry. When you watch his Vlogs you can see what kind of person he is.

On his second mix tape DreamChasers 2 he had just on 3 MILLION downloads in a 48 hour stent. No one has ever done anything of that sort. With features from Big Sean, Wale, French Montana, and 2 Chainz it lived up to all hype and exceeded the expectations of any doubters.
Now that #DC2 has turned the mix tape game to another level his expectations of his album Dreams and Nightmares are through the roof. His album is set to hit the shelfs on August 28th. I'm sure it will be perceived as a classic in his road to success!!

When Meek isn't rocking the mic or flipping clubs you can catch him in Philly hanging around his same crew and in the same neighborhood. He enjoys riding his dirt bikes through the city on the streets since there isn't a desert.

Meek is currently on the Club Paradise Tour. I'm curious for the summer when it comes to Meek. He wants to drop videos for his mix tape. But will he have enough time with touring, studio and building the Dreams and Nightmares hype. One thing for sure is you will see me getting his freshmen album on August 28th!!!

Its Game Time!!!

The Game dropped the R.E.D. Album in August and it was an instant classic. It took a while for him to release that album because he continued to make great music which people got for free through his mix tapes. He says he is dropping F.I.V.E. this year. We all know that the label will not be on the same page as him. He recently just released a mix tape called California Republic which was hosted by DJ Skee. That was received by his fans as his greatest mix tape. In a personal opinion if someone told me that it was his next album and played it for me. I would have believed them. From smash hits like "Bottles and rockin J's" to "Pussy Money Weed" and "Hit the J" it is clear that Game is ready to drop his next project and that it will be huge!!

This will be his last album on Interscope. He has hinted that Birdman will ink his contract with a lot of zeros. Now that Busta Rhymes is signed to the Cash Money Label. Who happens to be one of Games first mentors in the industry. I could see Birdman using him as a perk to getting Game to sign.  Another route is the Independent route. Game has been a part of Black Wall Street for several years a label and crew that he started in the midst of all this G-Unit drama. He could build his BWS brand along with his Money Gang brand. He has a few artist like Mysonne, KidRed, LifeStyle and Compton Menace. Compton Menace has a pretty big fan base for his small amount of exposure. Mysonne is growing day by day and KidRed might be the craziest rapper to come out of the West in a long time. With the help of his friend and business partner DJ Skee who knows how large it could turn out.

Until he drops his first single off F.I.V.E. we will not have a release date. But it is rumored that the single it to be released any day and features Chris Brown and Lil Wayne.  Sounds like a combination of "Better on the other side" and "My Life". Two of the Games biggest tracks!

One thing I do know for sure is that the west coast legend has the world biting at its fingers waiting for his next project. Until then it's back to California Republic!

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