Grammy-Nominated Rapper Wiz Khalifa Mourns Sudden Death of Father

Laurence W. Thomaz, father of the "Black and Yellow" artist, passed away at age 63.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Rapper Wiz Khalifa, whose real name is Cameron Jibril Thomaz, announced on social media that his father, Laurence W. Thomaz, has died at the age of 63. Khalifa described his father's passing as peaceful, saying he "went out like a true yogi, at peace and on his own time." The Grammy-nominated artist credited his father with shaping his music career, revealing that Thomaz opened a recording studio in Pittsburgh where Khalifa first started rapping as a child.

Why it matters

Wiz Khalifa is a prominent figure in the music industry, known for hits like "Black and Yellow." The sudden loss of his father, who played a pivotal role in his career, is sure to resonate with Khalifa's fans and the broader entertainment community.

The details

Khalifa shared the news of his father's passing on X, formerly known as Twitter, describing it as a peaceful transition. He reflected on the positive impact his father had, noting the outpouring of love and respect from those who knew Laurence W. Thomaz. The rapper also revealed that their final conversation centered on Khalifa's acting work, with his father expressing pride.

  • Laurence W. Thomaz passed away on February 15, 2026.

The players

Wiz Khalifa

A Grammy-nominated rapper whose real name is Cameron Jibril Thomaz. He is the son of Laurence W. Thomaz.

Laurence W. Thomaz

The 63-year-old father of rapper Wiz Khalifa, who passed away suddenly.

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What they’re saying

“Today my father decided not to wake up. I will always love him, miss him and be grateful for the things he taught me. He went out like a true yogi, at peace and on his own time. I love you forever Laurence W. Thomaz.”

— Wiz Khalifa, Rapper (X)

“The last conversation I had with my dad was him telling me how proud of me he was for the movie I was in and I promised him I would do more. LT Forever.”

— Wiz Khalifa, Rapper (X)

What’s next

Wiz Khalifa has not announced any immediate plans following his father's passing, but fans and the music community are expected to rally around the artist during this difficult time.

The takeaway

The sudden loss of a parent is always a profound experience, and Wiz Khalifa's public mourning of his father's death serves as a reminder of the importance of cherishing loved ones and the lasting impact they can have, even after they're gone.