Wiz Khalifa isn't just a rapper with a few catchy hooks and a signature laugh. If you've been following the industry lately, you've probably heard the phrase We Own It Wiz popping up in discussions about ownership, independent streaks, and how the Taylor Gang leader actually handles his money. It's a weirdly specific phrase. It sticks in your head. But what people often miss is that "We Own It" isn't just a 2013 song title from a Fast & Furious soundtrack; it's the literal blueprint for how Cameron Thomaz has operated for nearly two decades.
He gets it.
Most artists sign their lives away for a shiny chain and a leased G-Wagon. Wiz? He built a literal empire on the idea that if he doesn't own it, he doesn't want it. From the weed strains that bear his name to the way he structured his deals with Atlantic Records, the "We Own It" mantra is the backbone of his entire career.
The Fast & Furious Connection and Why It Stuck
Let's look back at 2013. The song "We Own It (Fast & Furious)" with 2 Chainz was a massive commercial hit. It went multi-platinum. It stayed on the charts for weeks. But for Wiz, that title became a self-fulfilling prophecy. Most rappers on a soundtrack are just "work for hire." They get a check, the studio gets the masters, and everyone moves on.
Wiz did it differently.
By the time that song dropped, he was already pivoting. He wasn't just a Pittsburgh kid with a mixtape habit anymore. He was a mogul. He understood that the phrase "We Own It" resonated because the fans wanted to see him win on his own terms. It’s about leverage. You have to have enough power to walk into a room and dictate the split.
Honestly, it’s kinda impressive how he transitioned from a stoner icon to a business case study. He didn't do it by being the loudest guy in the room. He did it by being the most consistent. He realized early on that "hot" is temporary, but ownership is forever.
Khalifa Kush: Ownership Beyond the Music
You can't talk about We Own It Wiz without talking about the weed. Khalifa Kush (KK) isn't some white-label garbage where a celebrity just slaps their face on a bag. Wiz spent years—literally years—developing that specific phenotype with his partners.
- He owns the genetics.
- He owns the branding.
- He owns the distribution partnerships.
When most rappers "launch" a cannabis brand, they're basically influencers for a bigger corporation. Wiz is the corporation. In 2022 and 2023, he expanded KK into markets like Florida, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. He didn't just sell the name; he integrated it into his lifestyle so deeply that you can't think of one without the other. That is the pinnacle of the "We Own It" philosophy. It’s a vertical integration that most MBAs would kill for.
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It's actually pretty wild when you think about it. He took a lifestyle habit that used to get people arrested and turned it into a multi-state enterprise where he retains the lion's share of the equity.
Taylor Gang Entertainment: A Lesson in Independence
Taylor Gang isn't just a crew of friends who smoke together. It's an independent label and management powerhouse. By housing artists like Ty Dolla $ign (at various points), Juicy J, and Chevy Woods under one roof, Wiz created an ecosystem.
He's been vocal about the "major label trap."
While he worked with Atlantic for his solo albums, he kept Taylor Gang as its own entity. This allowed him to maintain a level of creative control that most artists lose after their first hit. He owns his brand. He owns his touring revenue. He owns the merchandise designs. If you see a Taylor Gang hoodie, Wiz is getting a piece of that directly, not after a label takes a 80% distribution fee.
Sometimes he catches flak for not being as "lyrical" as he used to be. People miss the point. He's not trying to be the best poet; he's trying to be the best-positioned owner.
Why the "We Own It" Mentality is Changing the Industry
There's this shift happening. You see it with guys like Russ or Nipsey Hussle (RIP). They realized that the "old way" of the music business was essentially a high-interest loan. You get $1 million upfront, but you owe $2 million back, and you don't own the art you created.
Wiz was one of the first of his generation to really lean into the "lifestyle brand" aspect.
- He leveraged YouTube early.
- He stayed "of the people" via vlogs.
- He turned his personal interests (fitness, MMA, cannabis) into revenue streams.
His recent obsession with MMA isn't just a hobby. It's another lane. He’s invested in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). He’s not just a fan sitting ringside; he’s an owner in the league. See the pattern? We Own It Wiz isn't a meme. It's a strategy.
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Breaking Down the Financial Nuance
Let's get into the weeds of how this ownership actually works for someone at his level. When an artist says they "own it," they usually mean one of three things. First, they might own their masters. This is the holy grail. It means every time someone streams "Black and Yellow," the check goes to them, not a suit in New York. Second, they might own their publishing—the rights to the lyrics and melody. Third, they own the "brand," which includes trademarks for things like "Taylor Gang."
Wiz has fought for pieces of all three.
It’s not always a 100% win. Nobody gets everything in this business. But his ability to walk away from deals that don't include equity is what sets him apart. He’s been quoted in multiple interviews saying he’d rather take a smaller check now for a bigger piece of the backend later. That’s a long-game move. Most people are too hungry for the "now" to wait for the "forever."
The Pivot to Content and Digital Real Estate
Wiz was one of the first rappers to treat his life like a 24/7 reality show through DayToday. This was before Instagram Stories. Before TikTok. He was building "digital real estate."
He owned the platform.
He owned the footage.
He didn't need MTV to come film him; he hired his own camera guys and uploaded directly to his fans. That direct-to-consumer relationship is the most valuable thing he owns. If a social media platform dies tomorrow, Wiz still has the data and the connection to the "Taylors." That’s a level of security that a record deal can’t provide.
Common Misconceptions About His Wealth
People see the jewelry and the cars and think he’s just blowing money.
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They’re wrong.
Actually, if you look at his moves, he’s surprisingly frugal with his business capital. He uses his partnerships to fund his expansions. He doesn't just sink his own cash into every venture; he uses his brand equity to secure "sweat equity" in other companies. That’s how you get to the "We Own It" status without going broke trying to look rich.
He’s also diversified. Real estate, tech investments, and even some small-scale angel investing. He’s not putting all his eggs in one weed-scented basket.
Actionable Insights: The Wiz Khalifa Blueprint
If you're looking to apply the We Own It Wiz mentality to your own life or business, it doesn't mean you need to start a rap career. It's about a fundamental shift in how you view your time and your output.
- Prioritize Equity Over Income: If you have the choice between a one-time payment and a smaller payment plus 5% of the project, take the 5%.
- Build Your Own Platform: Stop relying on third-party gatekeepers. Whether it’s an email list, a personal website, or a dedicated community, you need to own the "pipes" through which you talk to your audience.
- Monetize Your Lifestyle: Wiz didn't "invent" liking weed. He just figured out how to make his natural interests tax-deductible and profitable. Look at what you already do for free and figure out how to own the supply chain for it.
- Stay Consistent Above All Else: The "Wiz" brand works because he hasn't changed his core identity in 15 years. He’s reliable. Reliability builds trust, and trust is the currency of ownership.
Wiz Khalifa’s journey from a "Prince of the City" in Pittsburgh to a multi-hyphenate owner is a masterclass in modern business. It’s about more than just a song from a car movie. It’s about the fact that at the end of the day, when the lights go out and the music stops, he still holds the keys to the building.
Ownership is the only way to ensure your legacy isn't just a footnote in someone else's quarterly earnings report. Wiz knew that in 2010, he proved it in 2013, and he’s living it today.
To really follow in these footsteps, start by auditing your own "masters." What parts of your work do you actually own? If the answer is "nothing," it's time to start building your own Taylor Gang. Focus on creating assets that work while you sleep. That’s the only way to truly say you "own it."
Start small. Maybe it's a side project where you keep 100% of the rights. Maybe it's negotiating a different structure at your current job. The point is to stop being a "renter" in your own life. Once you make that mental flip, everything else starts to fall into place, just like it did for Wiz.