When Wiz Khalifa dropped Kush & Orange Juice, college kids around the country decided to skip class, load up the bong and start the day off like Wiz starts his mixtape: with some "Waken Baken." That entire project was made for an early afternoon with a tall glass of Tropicana and some greenery. It's full of moments that embrace that sun-drenched, airy vibe that Wiz boasted when he started coming up.
Kush & Orange Juice wasn't the only release where Wiz made music perfect for an early morning joint, though. His entire catalogue is peppered with these types of tracks, and even among his more recent, pop-oriented work. To commemorate another hazy morning, here are Wiz Khalifa's best wake 'n' bake songs.
"Waken Baken" > "Mezmorized"
These two can be tied into one nice listen, as one segues effortlessly into the other. Cardo on the beat, and vibes to start your day off on a high note.
"Never Been"
Keepin' on the Kush & OJ tip, "Never Been" is a phenomenal song to bump right when you're about to get your high going. Wiz is really on his weed swag with this one, making it blatantly obvious that he's the coolest dude around because he's high all the time. The ladies love it, so it seems.
"Drop the nerds you with, come smoke a joint with he who's winning
Ain't like them guys who wine and dine to keep they women
My bitches only want two things, that's to get high and kick it"
"Good Dank"
This is one of the chillest moments on Kush & Orange Juice, which is a pretty chill project overall. Without a drum beat, Wiz just relies on some bass and guitar to create the canvas for his rhymes. He crushes his verses, shouting out his brother Curren$y while dropping some of his dopest bars.
"I ain't on a sports team but ya nigga ballin
Don't pick up my line less I see its money callin'
Jordan shorts by the pair and my socks is Ralph Lauren
And I got that dank from my nigga down New Orleans
Real as they come everyone of my niggas all in
Niggas'll talk slick but me I'm gettin to the paper
Cuz they see us and act like they never hated"
"The Thrill"
Empire of the Sun don't have a whole lot to do with rap music, but Wiz Khalifa brought them in when he used their track "Walking on a Dream" for his Burn After Rolling mixtape. The track doubles as one of the great indie/hip hop crossovers of the era and sparked a generation of rappers rhyming over indie rock.
"Car Service" with Curren$y
How Fly remains a highlight in the discographies of both Curren$y and Wiz Khalifa. The two together, without much fame or fortune, churned out an amazing project that really helped to define the sound both MCs still run with today.
"My Favorite Song" featuring Juicy J
Juicy J has literally been at this for 25 years now, and most of that time has been spent rapping about weed (amongst other things). Him and Wiz have a bunch of tracks together, and one of our favorites is aptly titled "My Favorite Song."
"California"
Wiz is a Pittsburgh cat, but he probably fits in well out west. His vibe is sunny, weed is basically legal, and his sounds are perfect for an early morning drive out to the beach. Don't forget to roll one up first, of course.
"World Class" with Snoop Dogg
Let's not forgot about the solid collaborative album that Snoop and Wiz released together. Mac + Dev Go To High School saw a couple of hip hop's biggest stoners linking up for some solid tracks.
"The Planes" w/ Curren$y
These two are stoner rap's Cheech & Chong, straight up. The legendary How Fly mixtape is the ultimate record for a wake 'n' bake session, and "The Planes" is sure to take you higher.
"B.A.R."
Before he was a bonafide rock star, Wiz was a mixtape rapper flexing DJ Ill Will tags. With a Pink Floyd sample in tow, "B.A.R." is sure to kick your day off on a proper, psychedelic note.