The Unexpected Professional Role Wiz Khalifa Holds in the Gaming Industry

While fans know him as a chart-topping artist, one of his lesser-known professional roles connected him to one of the fastest-growing entertainment industries in the world.

Since exploding onto the scene in the 2000s, Wiz Khalifa has built a career that extends far beyond music. Alongside his success as a multi-platinum recording artist, he has appeared in films, launched his own mobile game, and more.

Then, in 2019, he added another title to that list when he joined Pittsburgh-based esports organization the Pittsburgh Knights as a strategic partner. The partnership brought the Pittsburgh native back to his roots.

Best known for embracing the city's black-and-gold sports culture through his hit song "Black and Yellow," Khalifa joined an organization that already had ties to some of Pittsburgh's biggest names in sports.

According to the announcement, the rapper would help guide the organization in several key areas, including creative direction, marketing, live events, and entertainment. Pittsburgh Knights president James O'Connor praised the move at the time, saying:

"Wiz is definitely a visionary. He's always ahead of the curve; he's creative and savvy and we admire him and his team for their work ethic. We're really happy to welcome him into the Knights' family."

The partnership also connected Khalifa to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who had teamed up with the Knights the previous year. Reflecting on the opportunity, he admitted that the idea would have seemed impossible during his childhood.

"It's been amazing and I'm excited to be working alongside the Steelers," he said. "They are a great franchise with the biggest following in the world. Growing up thinking about this wasn't even imaginable... We are taking the Knights brand and esports to the next level."

At the time, esports was rapidly becoming one of the fastest-growing sectors in entertainment, attracting millions of viewers and generating significant consumer spending.

The Pittsburgh Knights positioned themselves as more than just a competitive gaming organization, developing products and initiatives designed to strengthen connections between teams and fans while building a larger gaming community.

Why Gaming and Music Made Sense to Khalifa

Khalifa did not view the partnership as a departure from music. Instead, he saw esports and entertainment as naturally connected. During an interview discussing the collaboration, he pointed to the long-standing relationship between sports and music.

He further noted how songs often become part of an athlete's identity or a team's culture. "Music has been involved in sports as long as I can remember," Khalifa explained. "Whether it's entrance music for a player or to pump a team up before a game, music has always been there."

The rapper also touched on his own experience with "Black and Yellow," which became closely associated with the Steelers during their run to the Super Bowl. "When 'Black & Yellow' came out, we saw how it helped push the Steelers to the Super Bowl and with the fans, it became that much more real," he said.

However, Khalifa's interest in gaming did not begin with the Pittsburgh Knights.

Khalifa also believed gaming represented another major shift in how entertainment was consumed and shared. "Nowadays artists are breaking music as well premiering on different platforms like Twitch," he shared.

"I have always tried to be at the forefront of technology and I think this is another amazing moment in history. I am happy to be a part of it," he continued. The rapper made it clear that his involvement would not be limited to lending his name to the organization.

"I'm always hands on with my partnerships and my team will be an extension of the Knights," Khalifa stated. "I'm going to be there supporting however I can." He even hinted that fans might eventually hear a Pittsburgh Knights anthem. "I'm a work on the song in time as well," he added.

Khalifa Has Long Been a Gamer Himself

However, Khalifa's interest in gaming did not begin with the Pittsburgh Knights. In 2020, he participated in the "Wiz and Friends Charity Livestream," where he played video games while interacting with fans and answering questions.

One fan asked a simple question: What was his favorite video game of all time? "My favorite video game of all time would have to be a tie between Fight Night and Golden Eye," the rapper replied.

The answer reflected two very different gaming experiences. The "Fight Night" series became one of the most recognizable boxing franchises in gaming, known for its realistic approach to the sport and detailed fighter mechanics.

Taken together, Khalifa's gaming interests help explain why the Pittsburgh Knights partnership made sense.

Meanwhile, "GoldenEye 007" earned legendary status among players for helping define first-person shooters on the Nintendo 64. The charity stream also offered a glimpse into the variety of games he enjoyed playing.

Among the titles featured was "NBA 2K20," the basketball simulation franchise known for recreating the NBA experience with realistic gameplay and franchise-building modes. He also played "EA Sports UFC," a mixed martial arts simulator built around authentic UFC competition.

The lineup included lighter fare as well. "Mario Kart 8 Deluxe" brought its trademark mix of colorful racing, unpredictable power-ups, and friendly chaos, while "Call of Duty: Warzone" delivered a much more intense experience as players battled for survival across a massive battlefield.

Taken together, Wiz Khalifa's gaming interests help explain why the Pittsburgh Knights partnership made sense. While many viewed him as a celebrity entering a new business venture, the move reflected an interest he had been cultivating for years.

For a performer who has repeatedly expanded beyond music into film, technology, gaming, and entrepreneurship, becoming a strategic partner in an esports organization may have surprised some fans. Looking back, however, it fit neatly into a career defined by exploring opportunities far beyond the recording studio.