Wiz Khalifa has shared the heartbreaking news of his father, Laurence W. Thomaz, passing away at the age of 63. The rapper announced the loss on social media platform X, stating, “Today my father decided not to wake up.” Khalifa expressed his love and gratitude for his father, noting that he had left this world in peace. “I will always love him, miss him and be grateful for the things he taught me,” he wrote.
In a follow-up message, Khalifa reflected on the impact his father had on his life. He mentioned that despite the suddenness of Thomaz’s passing, the outpouring of love and respect from others has provided some solace during this difficult time. “Literally all he ever wanted was to leave a positive impact on this earth,” Khalifa added.
Heartfelt Tributes and Memories Shared
Wiz Khalifa, whose real name is Cameron Jibril Thomaz, shared fond memories of his father through a series of posts on Instagram. He included throwback photos, one of which showed Thomaz helping him onto a swing, captioned simply: “Love you big guy.” Another poignant image featured Khalifa as a child alongside his father and his late sibling, Dorien “Lala” Thomaz, who died in 2017. Khalifa wrote, “You and La La are together again,” accompanied by a praying emoji.
Throughout his career, Khalifa has frequently spoken about his close bond with his father. In a 2016 interview with NME, he credited Thomaz’s establishment of a recording studio in Pittsburgh as pivotal in shaping his music career. “I lived in that studio. And that’s what turned me into who I am today,” he reflected. Khalifa began rapping in second grade and often mentioned how his upbringing in a challenging neighborhood influenced his creative path.
Finding Strength in Fatherhood
As Khalifa navigates this personal tragedy, he also embraces his role as a father. He shares his 12-year-old son, Sebastian, with ex-wife Amber Rose and welcomed a daughter, Kaydence, with girlfriend Aimee Aguilar in July 2024. In a recent episode of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, Khalifa opened up about the lessons of fatherhood, stating, “It let me know what I’m really good at and what I’m really here for.” He emphasized that while music is his gift, being a father is a natural calling that brings him immense joy.
“There is no book, there is nobody to study to tell you how to be a great dad,” he said. His son regularly expresses his affection, which Khalifa describes as rewarding and fulfilling.
As fans and followers extend their condolences, Khalifa continues to honor his father’s legacy, cherishing the lessons learned and the love shared between them. “Thank you all for your kind words. It really means a lot in this tough time and is helping me feel better,” Khalifa expressed to his supporters.
