Wiz Khalifa performing live in Toronto on "Rolling Papers" tour [VIDEO]

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Wiz Khalifa announces New Album at 2011 MTV Video Music Awards

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Last year, Wiz Khalifa introduced himself to the mainstream with his single, "Black & Yellow." Over the past few months, Wiz Khalifa has shown his softer side with Amber Rose. The couple began dating early this year and are already engaged.

At the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards, Amber Rose revealed she and Wiz Khalifa do more than live as a couple. Rose announced she would also be in the studio with Wiz Khalifa. When describing their collaboration, Amber Rose said it would be "very mysterious."

Wiz Khalifa announced he would have more than Amber Rose collaborations going on. Despite releasing his Rolling Papers debut album only months ago, he is already working on another album. The rising star said he has been focused on recording his next album.

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Album Review: Wiz Khalifa - "Rolling Papers"

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Wiz Khalifa released one of the most complete albums of 2011. For the 2010-2011 period, Rolling Papers is definitely a must-have. From the beginning to the end, the album is quite entertaining.

Obviously, Wiz Khalifa is not the best lyricist in the world, but he is good at what he does. Khalifa raps about what he knows and what he likes. Because of this, Rolling Papers is a fitting title.

Despite turning heads for several collaborations and a partnership with Snoop Dogg, Wiz keeps the focus on himself on this album. He said he wanted the fans to get to know him before he had many guest appearances.

However, the appearances from Too $hort, Curren$y, and Chevy Woods of Taylor Gang were fitting and not intrusive to the overall album.

Track listing

  1. "When I'm Gone"
  2. "On My Level" (featuring Too $hort)
  3. "Black and Yellow"
  4. "Roll Up"
  5. "Hopes & Dreams"
  6. "Wake Up"
  7. "The Race"
  8. "Star of the Show" (featuring Chevy Woods)
  9. "No Sleep"
10. "Get Your Shit"
11. "Top Floor"
12. "Fly Solo"
13. "Rooftops" (featuring Curren$y)
14. "Cameras"

After listening to the album, all the way through, it is clear Wiz Khalifa knows how to make hit records. The album is a good listen, especially on long distance trips.

Hip Hop Vibe rating: 6/10

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Wiz Khalifa talks singing in His Records

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Following the release of Rolling Papers, Wiz Khalifa has gained new fans and has also done relatively well with critics. His debut album has been noted for his singing. Khalifa's current single, "Roll Up," features him doing just as much singing than rapping.

Many rappers have lived and died by singing. A decade ago, Ja Rule gave up hardcore rap to harmonize. Early on, he sold platinum albums and even made history. But, when 50 Cent criticized him for this style, his career was ended.

Wiz Khalifa recently spoke up about his harmonizing on some of his records. Khalifa said he has so many different records to deal with, so he goes with the flow. There are some R&B beats he has had to rap over, but there are some parts where singing sounded better.

When he feels it is time to sing, Wiz Khalifa breaks into singing mode.

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Wiz Khalifa explains lack of guests on "Rolling Papers" debut

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

In September, Wiz Khalifa first discussed his Rolling Papers debut album. At the time, Khalifa said he would likely be recording songs with Devin the Dude, 8Ball & MJG, Cam'ron, and Snoop Dogg. It seemed as if Wiz Khalifa still intended to feature these artists on the album.

Last week, Rolling Papers was finally released and it lacked many of these collaborations. The album featured verses from Too $hort, Chevy Woods, and Curren$y. Only three guest appearances made the Rolling Papers list. However, Wiz Khalifa has been working with several artists.

Recently, Wiz Khalifa discussed his album and its lack of guest appearances. The Pittsburgh rapper said he did not feature many of the artists he promised because he wanted the album to be more about him. Usually, when artists are trying to break into the game, they feature several big names in order to boost sales. Wiz Khalifa had already built his image, so he decided he wanted the spotlight for himself.

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Wiz Khalifa comes up Short

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Ever since the release of "Black & Yellow," Wiz Khalifa has been one of the most-anticipated rappers in the game. Earlier this week, his Rolling Papers debut was released. Initial predictions for the album had it selling well over 200,000 copies in its first week.

Wiz Khalifa has been the most-celebrated new artist of 2011. The rapper released his debut single and it became the anthem of 2010, despite being released late in the year. With all of this hype, Khalifa was expected to do well.

These expectations still remain, but they are not as high. Wiz Khalifa is now expected to sell a little below 200,000 copies in his first week, as opposed to over 200,000. While record sales are not as high as expected, the sales are still strong, especially for a new artist.

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Wiz Khalifa projected to sell 215,000 copies in First Week

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Last fall, Wiz Khalifa made the jump from mixtape rapper to rap superstar. The Pittsburgh rapper rose to fame behind his hit single, "Black & Yellow." His hit single became the anthem for the Pittsburgh Steelers and their fans.

With the NFL season over, some assumed Wiz Khalifa may be over. But, partnerships with Snoop Dogg and co-signs from some of rap's biggest names have made this impossible. Khalifa proved fans wrong with his "Roll Up" hit.

Yesterday, Wiz Khalifa released Rolling Papers, his debut album, through Atlantic Records. Because of the huge buzz from his singles, the album has done well. Despite only being out for a few days, projected sales are at 215,000 copies.

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Artwork Revealed for Wiz Khalifa's "Rolling Papers"

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Wiz Khalifa completes " Rolling Papers" album

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

The past six months have been incredible for Wiz Khalifa. Following years of being on the underground circuit, Khalifa became one of the most popular rappers in the game. In September, "Black & Yellow" was released and it became a hit. Also, the Waken Baken Tour was a major success.

Wiz Khalifa was facing the problem many rappers face upon signing to a major record label. Many rappers feel as if their problems are over once they are signed to a major label. However, upon getting signed, many face their album being delayed for months, even years. Being signed to Atlantic Records, meant this could happen to Wiz.

Instead of sitting back and doing nothing, Wiz Khalifa independently put his career together. Soon, Atlantic Records gave him a release date for his album. Next month, the Pittsburgh rapper intends to release his debut album, Rolling Papers. Wiz Khalifa has been steadily working on the album and he finished working on the album earlier this week.

Now, Wiz Khalifa plans to begin the promotion to release the album.

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Wiz Khalifa announces "Rolling Papers" release date

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Wiz Khalifa has been on the underground hip hop scene for almost five years. In those five years, Wiz built a cult following, but he had his eyes set on something bigger. Last fall, Wiz Khalifa released "Black & Yellow" and the song changed his life.

The song served as an anthem for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the promotional single for his "Waken Baken Tour." Wiz ended the year of 2010 a major star, having started the year basically a no-name. Despite the hit single, Wiz Khalifa had not started recording his album.

In December, Wiz Khalifa began working on his debut album and he is currently finishing it up. The rapper has become good friends with Snoop Dogg and is excited about the album. Paying homage to one of his most favorite activites, Wiz Khalifa is naming his album, Rolling Papers. The album is going to be released through Atlantic Records on March 29.

The next single from Wiz Khalifa will be "Roll Up," produced by Pharrell.

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