Wiz Khalifa recently took to his social media handles to announce the death of his father at 63. Here's what we know about him.
Popular Rapper, Wiz Khalifa, is dealing with a difficult phase in his life following the death of his father, Laurence W. Thomaz. The latter died suddenly at the age of 63, leaving his son and other family members in shock. According to TMZ, the rapper confirmed the heartbreaking news on X on February 13, 2026, as he penned, "Today my father decided not to wake up." A heartbroken Wiz mentioned that he would always love and miss his father, who taught him some of the most significant lessons in life. Amid the shocking news, here's what we know about Laurence W. Thomaz.
Laurence W. Thomaz played a significant role in shaping his son, Wiz Khalifa's early life. According to Complex, Laurence served in the U.S. Air Force. In turn, Cameron Jibril Thomaz, a.k.a. Wiz, spent much of his childhood moving frequently as part of a military family. The experiences and exposure to different places, cultures, and geographies shaped his future musical style. Despite the constant relocation, Laurence remained a steady influence and source of discipline in his son's life.
Wiz Khalifa had a strong connection with his father. According to NME, Laurence opened a recording studio in Pittsburgh, where Wiz spent much of his childhood. The rapper once recalled that being in that studio allowed him to experiment with music and develop his passion for rap at an early age. He credited his father for giving him the space and encouragement to pursue music seriously. At the same time, Laurence Thomaz also reportedly influenced Wiz's stage name, encouraging him to shorten "Wisdom Khalifa" to the now-iconic "Wiz Khalifa."
Wiz Khalifa did not initially disclose the exact cause of his father's death. But according to TMZ, it reported that Laurence died peacefully at the age of 63. Wiz later reflected on their final conversation, sharing that his father had expressed pride in his accomplishments. He shared the same in his tribute, writing that his father "went out like a true yogi, at peace and on his own time." At the same time, Wiz posted childhood photos of his father on Instagram, honoring their bond and legacy. In Wiz's words:
"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 has built a successful music and entertainment career over nearly 20 years. He rose to international fame with his 2010 hit, Black and Yellow, which topped the Billboard Hot 100. He later achieved stable global recognition with See You Again. Additionally, his tribute song for the Furious 7 soundtrack became one of the most-streamed songs of all time. Apart from music, Wiz has expanded his income through his business and Taylor Gang Entertainment label. On the personal front, Wiz Khalifa shares a son, Sebastian, with ex-wife Amber Rose and welcomed his daughter Kaydence with girlfriend, Aimee Aguilar in 2024.
Rest in peace, Laurence W. Thomaz.
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