Released: 2012
Label: Rostrum/Atlantic
Featuring: Berner, Akon, “Camron”, Courtney Noelle, 2 Chainz, Amber Rose, Pharrell Williams, Tuki Carter, Lola Monroe, Juciy J, The Weeknd, Chevy Woods
Releasing a hip-hop album is often a milestone that marks an artist’s growth, artistic prowess, and ability to impact the genre. With ‘O.N.I.F.C.,’ Wiz Khalifa sealed his mark on the hip-hop landscape, offering an album that is both a reflection of his evolution and a sign of his limitless potential. This album is pivotal within his discography, boasting a bevy of cuts that blazes the path of victory, grind, and grind-harder. From the energy-laden bars with Berner on ‘Bluffin’ to the tranquilizing collaborations with Courtney Noelle on ‘Got Everything,’ Pharrell Williams on ‘Rise Above,’ and The Weeknd on ‘Remember You,’ Khalifa brought together a cross-section of artists who effectively communicated the essence of ‘O.N.I.F.C.’
Released through Rostrum/Atlantic in 2012, ‘O.N.I.F.C.’ is a potent mix of solid cuts, lyrical storytelling, and collaborations with artists including Akon, Cam’ron, and Juicy J. Each song weaves a narrative, thick with the aroma of hustle, triumph, and the celebration of achieving wealth through hard work. The album showcases Khalifa at a trajectory-defining intersection, where his vocal bravado, lyrical dexterity, and exceptional collaborations coalesced to create a captivating reflection of his life, success, and influence. So, let’s dive into it. From ‘Intro’ to ‘Medicated,’ here we are breaking down the album ‘O.N.I.F.C.’ by Wiz Khalifa.
1 Intro
The first track is just a classic intro to what’s coming ahead, leaving you salivating for whats to come.
2 Paperbond
Khalifa’s lyrics, “Mo’ money, mo’ problems, not how I see, huh? Mo’ money, mo’ Roberto Cavalli, bruh,” sharply encapsulate his perspective on wealth; more than a source of problems, for him, it’s a pathway to luxury and freedom. This track isn’t just about flaunting wealth; it’s a testament to Khalifa’s work ethic, his rise to fame, and his unapologetic enjoyment of the spoils. With a laid-back flow, Khalifa narrates his globe-trotting lifestyle, powered by his success, detailing the transition from dreaming to living those dreams, all while maintaining a deep appreciation for the grind that got him there.
3 Bluffin
Features: Berner
Wiz and Berner weave a narrative thick with the scent of triumph and the hustle’s payoff, underlining the chasm between their achievements and the efforts of their detractors. With a laid-back confidence that betrays the grind behind the glory, Khalifa drops a line that encapsulates the essence of their journey and the stark contrast in their financial statuses, “Quarter million nigga that was nineteen, had my hustle down, bet I did the right thing.” It’s a statement that echoes the ethos of hip-hop’s rags-to-riches narratives, all while schooling the competition on the fruits of genuine hustle and strategic moves in the game.
4 Let It Go
Features: Akon
Khalifa speaks to his ascension in the game, not just in terms of fame and financial success, but also in personal growth and influence. Akon’s soulful hook punctuates this message, urging listeners to sift through the falsehoods and to embrace change. A standout hard-hitting line, “Used to be the kid, now homie, I’m the man,” encapsulates this sentiment of evolution from past struggles to current success, all while maintaining the wisdom to “let it go” and focus on what truly matters.
5 The Bluff
Features: “Camron”
Through lines that breathe the aroma of success and the essence of self-assurance, they paint a vivid picture of life at the pinnacle. Cam’ron’s verse, peppered with his signature Harlem swagger, hits hard with, “Put up your life we gambling, next time we out here scrambling / I’m Killah, he Wiz, but all our checks are Cam’ron,” underlining not just the gamble of their hustle but the undeniable fruit it bears. It’s an anthem for those who’ve made it, narrating the sweet spoils of victory over vibrant beats.
6 Work Hard, Play Hard
Through relentless hustle and an unapologetic celebration of success, Khalifa lays down a blueprint for living large. He flexes on his achievements with lines like “I got so much money I should start a bank,” showcasing not just his financial wealth, but an abundance of confidence and ambition. The track is a testament to Khalifa’s journey, emphasizing that behind every party anthem, there’s a story of hard work and perseverance, all the while maintaining that “The bigger the bill, the harder you ball” is not just a mantra, but a way of life.
7 Got Everything
Features: Courtney Noelle
With an aura of nonchalance about his success and a laser focus on mutual loyalty, the lyrics encapsulate the essence of having it all, yet valuing a partner’s support above material riches. A standout line, “No time to count the money that I got because all of it’s getting spent,” not only throws a nod to the lavish lifestyle but also subtly underscores the insignificance of material wealth without someone genuine to share it with. The synergy between Khalifa and Noelle delivers a message that’s both relatable and aspirational, making it a cornerstone of hustle anthems for couples building empires together.
8 Fall Asleep
Swaggering through verses peppered with mentions of his sprawling crib, lightning-fast cars, and unmatched influence in the game. His assertion, “I got a feeling that if it wasn’t for me, it wouldn’t be a lot of you niggas,” serves as a hard-hitting reminder of his perceived status in the hip-hop hierarchy. This track is a slow burn, coated in confidence and the comfort of success, as Khalifa narrates his high-flying lifestyle that literally puts him to sleep, whether in first-class flights or amidst the clouds of smoke.
9 Time
Khalifa muses over the nights spent questioning his success, juxtaposed with his dedication to hard work and enjoying the fruits of his labor. The track is drenched in a vibe that’s quintessentially Wiz, from rolling up and blazing to flying high both metaphorically and literally. A standout line, “I spend money every chance I get, ‘Cause God damn I work hard,” captures the essence of rewarding oneself, embodying his work-hard-play-harder philosophy. His reference to fans and performances highlight the reciprocal energy that fuels his career, while contemplating longevity and self-care in the hustle. It’s a smooth ride through Khalifa’s thoughts, cruising on beats and blunts, with contemplation at its core.
10 It’s Nothin
Features: 2 Chainz
They articulate a lifestyle where luxury brands, high-stakes spending, and self-made success aren’t just goals but the norm. With lines like “Count money like it’s somethin’ to do,” the track underscores their nonchalant attitude towards wealth, contrasting sharply with the aspirations and struggles of the average listener. The repetition of “It’s nothing” drills in the message of their financial victories being routine, while also hinting at a deeper commentary on the desensitization to wealth in hip-hop culture.
11 Rise Above
Features: Amber Rose, Pharrell Williams, Tuki Carter
The track radiates with the grind’s ethos — starting from the bottom, dealing with naysayers, and ultimately soaring above the hate. Pharrell’s verse brings that high-profile flair, throwing in references that resonate with those in the hustle. A hard-hitting line that encapsulates the song’s essence is, “Cause jealousy and envy that’s a trait for mostly bitches / Not a man so you ain’t one if you letting it show.” This line is a bold rebuke to those who let jealousy show, challenging their integrity and highlighting the song’s core message of rising above pettiness and negativity.
12 Initiation
Features: Lola Monroe
It’s a tribute to those grinding, to the “Taylors,” and to self-made success, devoid of any tolerance for fakers or half-steppers. The collaboration breathes life into the relentless pursuit of success, exclusivity, and the grind. Monroe’s verse packs a punch, especially with lines like “Your broke ass can’t even use debit, whore,” underscoring the ruthless exclusivity and the high stakes of their lifestyle. It’s a celebration of the grind, the wealth, and, above all, loyalty to the Taylor Gang ethos.
13 Up in It
Khalifa masterfully uses a smooth flow to paint a vivid picture of a passionate encounter, blending sensuality with a bit of braggadocio. His lines, “You love when I get up in it / You love when I get, you love when I get,” become a catchy, repeated affirmation, embodying the song’s theme of mutual satisfaction. Moreover, Khalifa’s ability to mix a sense of luxury with the raw energy of desire, especially in the lines “Sexy as fuck you still got them heels on / Favorite position, we tryin’ them all,” showcases his knack for setting a scene that’s as opulent as it is grounded in the physical. It’s a testament to the seamless way he marries the rhythms of his lifestyle with those of his music.
14 No Limit
With a mantra echoing, “We just go, we don’t know no limit, limit ooh,” he lays out a blueprint of living without boundaries, both personally and creatively. This track isn’t just a braggadocious anthem; it’s a reflection on the challenges and triumphs of aiming beyond the stars. A standout line, “Who said we can’t change the world? Look how we changed the game,” punches home the idea that societal impact and cultural shift are within grasp if one pushes past perceived limits. Wiz melds aspirational themes with a grounded realization of his influence, making “No Limit” a testament to the power of persistence and vision.
15 The Plan
Features: Juciy J
This track encapsulates the essence of their grind, transitioning from mere aspirations to tangible achievements, all while maintaining authenticity. A line that hits particularly hard encapsulates their journey and ethos: “Started underneath the floor, now my money through the ceiling.” It speaks volumes about their rise, underlining that their wealth and stature, though unintended, are now central to their identity, forever altering the trajectory of their careers and lives.
16 Remember You
Features: The Weeknd
Weaving between the Weeknd’s soulful contemplation on intimacy without attachment and Wiz Khalifa’s verses that reflect a hedonistic yet lonely lifestyle shaped by success. A standout line, “All I ask of you is try to earn my memory, make me remember you like you remember me,” encapsulates the song’s essence—a mutual yearning for significance in the transient moments shared between two people, making it a poignant anthem for the modern-day lover navigating the complexities of affection and identity in a celebrity-obsessed culture.
17 Medicated
Features: Chevy Woods, Juciy J
Emotional themes of overcoming hardships, celebrating success, and maintaining authenticity, the song offers more than just a call to get high—it reflects on the journey and the grind to the top. A standout line that hits hard is, “For the ones who never made it, Sayin’ fuck the ones who hated, roll one up and celebrate.” This encapsulates the essence of the track, paying homage to fallen friends and disregarding detractors, all while promoting a sense of camaraderie and triumph through hedonism. The collaboration with Chevy Woods and Juicy J adds depth, with each verse contributing to a narrative of resilience, celebration, and, above all, remaining true to one’s roots.
