If you’re wondering how old is Wiz Khalifa, you probably grew up watching him transition from a skinny kid in Pittsburgh to a global weed icon and business mogul. It’s a trip. Time moves fast in the music industry. One minute you're blasting Black and Yellow in your car, and the next, that same artist is a veteran in the game with a son who's nearly a teenager.
Wiz Khalifa, born Cameron Jibril Thomaz, is currently 38 years old.
He was born on September 8, 1987. Let that sink in for a second. For many fans, Wiz represents a specific era of the 2010s blog-rap scene that feels like it happened yesterday, but he's actually pushing forty. He isn't that "rookie" anymore. He’s the elder statesman.
Why the Question of Age Matters for His Brand
Most people ask about his age because he hasn't really aged. Like, at all. Aside from a few more tattoos and a significantly more muscular build from his daily Muay Thai training, he looks remarkably similar to the guy who dropped Kush & Orange Juice back in 2010.
But his age tells a deeper story about longevity. In hip-hop, staying relevant for over fifteen years is basically a miracle. Most rappers have a three-year shelf life. Wiz beat those odds by diversifying. He’s not just a rapper; he’s a brand. When you look at his 38 years of life, the first twenty were spent grinding in Pennsylvania, and the last eighteen have been a masterclass in staying power.
The Pittsburgh Roots and Early Start
Wiz wasn't an overnight success. Far from it. He started young.
By the time he was 16, he was already catching the attention of Benjy Grinberg at Rostrum Records. Most 16-year-olds are worrying about their driver’s license or who to take to prom. Wiz was signing a deal. This early start is why it feels like he’s been around forever. If you started listening to him when Show and Prove came out in 2006, you’ve been on this journey for two decades.
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He was a "military brat." Born in Minot, North Dakota, he moved around constantly—Germany, United Kingdom, Japan—before settling in Pittsburgh. That kind of upbringing forces a kid to grow up fast. It gives you a global perspective that most local rappers lack. You can hear it in the music. It’s approachable. It’s not tied to just one block or one city’s sound.
Breaking Down the Timeline: From 20 to 38
Let's look at the milestones.
At 22, he released Kush & Orange Juice. That mixtape changed everything. It wasn't just music; it was a lifestyle shift. It’s arguably one of the most influential mixtapes of the digital era.
At 23, Black and Yellow hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100. That’s a lot of pressure for someone barely out of their teens. Most people would have crashed. Instead, he leaned into his persona.
By 27, he released See You Again for the Furious 7 soundtrack. That song is one of the best-selling singles of all time. It’s the kind of "forever money" track that allows an artist to do whatever they want for the rest of their lives.
Now, at 38, he’s in a different phase. He’s the "Cool Dad." His relationship with his son, Sebastian (whom he shares with ex-wife Amber Rose), has become a central part of his public image. He’s transitioned from the guy partying in the club to the guy smoking a joint while cooking breakfast or hitting the gym for a grueling MMA session.
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The Physical Transformation: Muay Thai and Longevity
Honestly, the reason people keep asking "how old is Wiz Khalifa" is because he’s in better shape now than he was at 25.
He famously started training in Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu around 2017. Before that, he was notoriously thin—the classic "stoner" aesthetic. Now? He’s ripped. He’s put on about 30 to 40 pounds of lean muscle. This lifestyle change probably added a decade to his career and his life.
It’s a lesson in "rebranding through wellness." He didn't change his music to fit a trend; he changed his body to handle the grind. He’s often seen training at Unbreakable Performance Center in West Hollywood. He’s serious about it. It’s not just for Instagram. Experts in the fitness industry often point to him as a prime example of how to maintain peak physical condition as you approach middle age.
The Business of Being Wiz
At 38, the money comes from places you might not expect.
- Khalifa Kush (KK): His cannabis brand is a juggernaut. He was one of the first celebrities to actually build a legitimate, high-quality weed strain that survived the initial hype.
- Wiz Khalifa’s HotBox: A "ghost kitchen" delivery service.
- Gaming: He’s been deeply involved in the gaming world, even having his own mobile game, Wiz Khalifa's Weed Farm.
He’s thinking like a CEO, not just a lyricist. This is the "30s" version of Wiz. It’s less about chasing a radio hit and more about equity.
Misconceptions About His Age and Lifestyle
There’s this weird myth that if you smoke as much as Wiz does, you’ll "burn out" or get "slow."
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He’s the living antithesis of that. Whether you agree with his lifestyle or not, his productivity is undeniable. He releases projects constantly. He tours. He manages businesses. He’s a present father.
Another misconception is that he’s "retired" because he isn't dominating the Top 40 charts every week. That’s just not how the industry works for legacy artists. At 38, he has a core fanbase that will show up for him for the next thirty years. He’s entered the Snoop Dogg zone—a place where your age doesn't matter because your vibe is eternal.
What We Can Learn From the Khalifa Timeline
Watching Wiz grow up—going from that 2006 debut to a 38-year-old mogul—is actually pretty inspiring if you look past the smoke clouds.
- Start early, stay late. He didn't wait for permission to be an artist. He started at 16 and never stopped.
- Health is wealth. The pivot to MMA and fitness in his 30s saved his image from becoming a "washed" stoner caricature.
- Ownership. He owns his brand. He isn't just a face for hire.
If you're tracking his age because you feel like you're getting older, don't worry. Wiz is proof that you can hit your late 30s and actually be more productive, healthier, and richer than you were in your "prime" 20s.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Creators
If you want to follow the "Wiz Khalifa Model" for career longevity as you age, here is what actually works:
- Pivot your physical habits. You can't live at 38 the way you lived at 18. Wiz replaced some of the "party" with "purpose" in the gym.
- Diversify your income early. If he only relied on streaming checks, he'd be struggling. The weed and tech investments are what provide the real security.
- Maintain your "Day Ones." He still works with many of the same people he knew in Pittsburgh. Loyalty keeps you grounded when the fame gets weird.
- Don't chase trends. He still makes Wiz Khalifa music. He didn't try to become a "drill" rapper or a "mumble" rapper. He stayed in his lane, and the lane eventually became a highway.
Wiz Khalifa is 38. He’s a father, a fighter, a businessman, and a legend. And honestly? He’s probably just getting started on his second act.
Next Steps for You:
Check out his latest training footage or his business ventures like Khalifa Kush to see how he's scaling his brand. If you're a creator, look at his 2010-2012 output to understand how to build a community that stays with you for two decades.