Civil Interview: Wiz Khalifa Talks ‘Blacc Hollywood’, Ferguson & Being Underappreciated
by Staff Editor
What’s your relationship like with Big Sean and Curren$y these days?
Wiz Khalifa: We’re really good. Sean’s working on his album, and being that he’s around who he’s around, he tends to work differently than me and Curren$y, which isn’t a bad thing. It just is what it is. So whenever he chooses to come over to that world, he’s always welcomed. And when he’s doing what he’s doing, we respect that and let him do him.
Spitta’s chillin. He’s really focused on developing more styles and just having fun. His whole thing is he plans his career how he wants it to be and he never wants it to be more busy than he’s ready for, you know what I mean? Whereas I’m the kind of guy who just wears every hat [laughs] and just goes full speed and does nothing else but tour and record. He’s overseeing everything and dropping his jewels in between. So a lot of people might not see him as much, but we’re still the same crew that we’ve always been. Constantly inspiring each other and shit.
Which of your collabs are your favorite of all time?
WK: Snoop, Cam’ron and Nas.
Is there anyone you haven’t gotten to work with yet that you’re hoping to?
WK: Timbaland. I wanna get in the studio with him.
Word. That’s shocking that you haven’t yet.
WK: Right? I think we’re both too cool for school. We didn’t even exchange numbers or nothing.
How do you feel about the current state of hip-hop?
WK: I love where the culture’s at. I love the fact that people are doing things themselves and doing things that they like and that they believe in. It’s more about lifestyle than it is music right now. It makes me happy.
Speaking of lifestyle, talk to me about your new shoe coming out this Fall with Converse and your relationship with them.
WK: I love working with Converse because they let me have a lot of creative control over where the shoe goes, what it looks like, and who it’s directed to. And this shoe’s more of a simple, toned down version. It’s not the Chuck Taylor structure, but it’s a good shoe for everybody.
Wiz is cultured and he spent a lot of time all over. Didn’t come from one place like everyone thinks he did. Pittsburgh is half of it.
He has a massive life and he’s always been spiritually inclined, great to see that he’s reading such awesome stuff and photography is always worth exploring.
He’s absolutely right, we need to pay attention to the thing no one else is; the kids that we don’t see on TV. Where it all starts. It’s not about the politics or the money or the racism and he knows that, we gotta pay attention to these kids and make sure they grow up right and knowing this isn’t how it’s always going to be.
As for not being appreciated; Wiz… you’re smart and you know that. It’s going to be like that, man. Keep looking for people who are close to the human. Like you said about this interviewer (who did a fantastic job, btw), there’s people who are paying attention and are trying to tune in because they’re curious and they know there’s more to eat up.
Taught me that it’s okay to not be from around here or to not think the same way. It’s an advantage that should be cultured. Keep investing your time like you do, I’ll be paying shit tons of money to see you live one of these days. Life-time fan right here since I heard Kush and OJ.
Im not sure what he’s gettin at when he says “he’s around who’s he’s around” and when he wants to come back to that world” is he refering to big seans passion for fashion and shoes or his relationship with ariana grande?
Wiz sounds a lot smarter in this interview than his music…. no offense Im a huge Wiz fan, its just his lyrics dont always have that much depth. Just good music to party to