S. Samuel
Rap newcomer Wiz Khalifa has opened up about his new relationship with Atlantic Records since signing with them over the summer and what artists he wants on his debut.
Despite being in his early 20’s, Wiz said he wanted rap veterans on the forthcoming LP.
“It’s been awesome, you know what I’m saying, just working with a lot of people over there that completely understand my movement and what I’m doing,” Wiz told radio personality A-Plus about his relationship with Atlantic. “‘Black & Yellow,’ the single, just how that worked out. Me pushing it to them and them really going hard with it. It’s a great marriage that we got going on. It’s definitely new energy, it’s a lot of motivation for the project, and it’s understanding going forward…I wanna work with Cam’ron, trying to get Cam’ron on the album. [Twitter trending topic] ‘CamronSays,’ Cam’ron’s my man, a lot of people don’t know I started that. I did, me. Shout-out to Killa. I want to get Killa on the album. I want to get 8Ball & MJG, I want to get Devin the Dude on the album, Snoop [Dogg] of course. And if anything else happens, it’ll be a classic collaboration that nobody expects.” (Power 92.1)
In late July, Wiz announced a deal with Atlantic Records.
“Yeah, I’m signing to Atlantic,” Khalifa said. “We’ve been working on it for a minute. I wanted to make sure that I had records that I was comfortable with before I went to any label or any situation. I wanted to make sure I had my direction so when I take it to them it’s like, ‘Let’s go.’ … It’s a huge honor for [Ross] to even extend a hand like that. [It’s] crazy for him to even look out like that. Me and Ross is always gonna be working. He sees my vision. I think he gets what I’m trying to do. Even if it ain’t no paperwork between me and Ross, it’s gonna be work done between me and Ross.” (MTV)
Rap star Rick Ross had publicly offered Wiz a chance to join a roster which includes his rap crew, Triple C’s.
“You know, Wiz, what’s happening, this is the Boss, Ricky Ross, Teflon Don,” the rapper said in an interview. “You know we spoke of this in the last week or two, but my question is even more personal that I’d love to ask you right now. What would it take for us to close the deal, Wiz Khalifa and Maybach Music? I feel like the homie is a superstar. We discussed this last week. He’s most definitely loyal to his team. But like I told him, there’s always more to get.” (Rap Fix)
Wiz later reflected on his decision not to sign with Ross.
Though the convo Khalifa describes as cool and chill concluded with a respectful decline, the Pittsburgh native admits that even if his deal with Atlantic were nonexistent, he still would’ve passed on Ross’ offer. “I would’ve kept doing what I was doing till I found something huge [outside of Maybach Music]. I’m all about standing behind my own brand instead of putting myself up under somebody else’s,” he explains. “[Success] might take a little bit longer and take more work, but in the end it pays off because I can stand right up there with my peers and have respect.” (VIBE)
Check out Wiz Khalifa’s interview below:
