You know that feeling when a bassline hits and suddenly you're back in 2011? That's the Wiz effect. Wiz Khalifa isn't just a rapper; he's basically the architect of a specific kind of laid-back, "Taylor Gang" energy that hasn't really left the airwaves since he first stepped on the scene. Whether it’s the stadium-sized chants of Pittsburgh or a tear-jerking movie tribute, Wiz Khalifa most popular songs have this weird way of staying relevant long after the charts have moved on.
Most people think of him as just the "weed guy." But if you actually look at the numbers and the cultural footprint, he’s a hit-making machine that bridged the gap between underground mixtape grit and massive, global pop stardom. It wasn't an accident. It was a vibe.
The Song That Changed Everything: "See You Again"
Let’s be real for a second. You cannot talk about Wiz without talking about the behemoth that is "See You Again." It’s more than just a song; it’s a global moment of mourning. Released in 2015 as a tribute to the late Paul Walker for the Furious 7 soundtrack, this track didn't just climb the charts—it lived there.
As of early 2026, the music video has racked up over 6.9 billion views on YouTube. That is a staggering number. It’s currently sitting as the sixth most-viewed video in the history of the platform. Think about that. Nearly 7 billion times, someone clicked play to hear that Charlie Puth piano melody and Wiz’s surprisingly poignant verses.
What made it work? Honestly, it was the sincerity. Wiz usually raps about the high life, but here he was vulnerable. He tapped into a universal feeling of loss that resonated from Pittsburgh to Tokyo. It spent 12 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, tying the record for the longest-running rap number-one hit at the time.
Why "Black and Yellow" Is Still the Ultimate Anthem
If "See You Again" is his biggest global hit, "Black and Yellow" is his soul. This is the track that took a kid from Pittsburgh and turned him into a household name in 2010.
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Interestingly, his label, Atlantic Records, wasn't even sure if it was a hit at first. Imagine that. They were "going back and forth" on it, while Wiz knew the second he heard the Stargate-produced beat that he had something special.
- The Hometown Flex: It’s the unofficial anthem for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates, and Penguins.
- The Sales: It went 6x Platinum and peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
- The Remixes: It spawned a million "color" remixes (Lil Wayne’s "Green and Purple," anyone?).
It’s a simple song, really. But that’s the genius. It’s infectious. You don't even have to like football to find yourself screaming "Yeah, aha, you know what it is" when the chorus drops.
The Stoner Classics: "Young, Wild & Free" and "The Thrill"
Wiz basically owns the "chilled out" category of hip-hop. 2011's "Young, Wild & Free" with Snoop Dogg and Bruno Mars is the quintessential "I don't care" anthem. It’s been certified 6x Platinum in the U.S. and has this breezy, nostalgic piano loop that makes you feel like you're on a permanent summer vacation.
But if you’re a real fan, you know "The Thrill." Sampling Empire of the Sun’s "Walking on a Dream," this track from the Burn After Rolling mixtape is a masterclass in how to flip an indie-pop song into a rap classic. It currently has over 650 million streams on Spotify, which is wild for a song that started as a mixtape cut. It captures that early-career hunger mixed with the "I've already made it" confidence that defines the Taylor Gang movement.
A Breakdown of the Heavy Hitters (By the Numbers)
While numbers aren't everything, they do tell a story of longevity. Here’s a look at how some of the other tracks in the Wiz Khalifa most popular songs catalog are performing as of 2026:
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"Payphone" (Maroon 5 feat. Wiz Khalifa)
This is a pop juggernaut. It’s sitting at over 2.5 billion streams on Spotify. Wiz’s verse is short, but it provided the necessary edge to a sugary Adam Levine hook, helping it reach number two on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Sucker for Pain"
A weird, dark collaboration for the Suicide Squad soundtrack. Despite the odd mix of artists (Imagine Dragons, Lil Wayne, Logic, Ty Dolla $ign), it cleared 1.2 billion streams. It shows Wiz’s ability to play well with others, a recurring theme in his career.
"Work Hard, Play Hard"
This 2012 track is the spiritual successor to "Black and Yellow." It’s the anthem of the grind. It peaked at number 17 on the Hot 100 and remains a staple in gyms and locker rooms everywhere.
The Mixtape Legend vs. The Chart Topper
There’s always been a bit of a divide among fans. There are the "Kush & Orange Juice" purists who love the hazy, experimental Wiz, and then there’s the general public who loves the "Rolling Papers" pop-star Wiz.
Tracks like "Mezmorized" and "In My Car" might not have the multi-platinum certifications of "See You Again," but they are arguably just as important to his legacy. They established the "lifestyle" aspect of his brand. When people search for Wiz Khalifa most popular songs, they’re often looking for that specific feeling of 2010-era blog rap—a time when music felt a bit more free and less polished.
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What Most People Get Wrong About Wiz's Success
People often write him off as a "singles artist." That's a mistake. While he definitely knows how to craft a hook, his success is built on a massive foundation of work. He has released dozens of mixtapes and collaborative projects (like 2009 with Curren$y) that keep his core fan base fed while he’s off collecting Diamond plaques for movie themes.
He’s also one of the most featured artists in the game. From T-Pain’s "5 O'Clock" to Mike WiLL Made-It’s "23," Wiz has a knack for showing up, dropping a charismatic verse, and making the song better without overstaying his welcome.
How to Build the Perfect Wiz Khalifa Playlist
If you’re looking to dive back in, don't just stick to the radio hits. To truly get the experience, you need to mix the eras.
- The Essentials: "Black and Yellow," "Roll Up," "See You Again."
- The Vibe-Setters: "The Thrill," "Young, Wild & Free," "Bake Sale" (featuring Travis Scott).
- The Deep Cuts: "Never Been," "Mesmerized," "Medicated."
- The Modern Era: "Hopeless Romantic" (with Swae Lee) and "Still Wiz."
The next step is simple: head over to your streaming platform of choice and create a folder specifically for 2010–2015 era Taylor Gang. Start with Kush & Orange Juice and then move into Rolling Papers. You'll notice that even the songs that weren't "hits" at the time have aged incredibly well because they don't try too hard to follow trends. They just exist in their own lane.