Before the Fame: How Wiz Khalifa's Studio Hustle Changed His Career
June 03, 2026


During a behind-the-scenes vlog from the making of his mixtape "Flight School," the rapper invited fans into the studio and asked them to help shape what would become one of his earliest recurring Twitter video series.
Years before artists routinely documented every recording session on social media, Wiz Khalifa was already experimenting with a more direct connection with fans.

Wiz Khalifa performs at Roseland during Musicfest NW on September 10, 2010, in Portland, Oregon. | Source: Getty Images
In a 2009 YouTube vlog filmed while he was putting the finishing touches on "Flight School," the Pittsburgh rapper revealed that he planned to begin posting regular video updates tied to his rapidly growing Twitter account.
Standing in the studio, Khalifa explained that the clips would be made specifically for his followers and that he hoped to post them every day. He continued:
"This right here is strictly for my Twitter. That's the first thing that I'm gonna be doing for it. I'm gonna be trying to update it every day so I can get more and more followers."

Wiz Khalifa addressed fans in a YouTube video dated March 29, 2009, where he announced plans for a new Twitter video series and asked viewers to help name it. | Source: YouTube/Wiz Khalifa
At the time, he said his account had around 1,500 followers but joked that he had much bigger ambitions. "I got 1,500 right now, so I'm trying to get to like 100 million bazillion," he humorously said before encouraging viewers to follow his account.
Then, rather than settling on a name himself, Khalifa decided to leave the decision in the hands of his audience. "First episode, I wanna know what the [expletive] I should call this [expletive]," he insisted. "Y'all hit me up on my Twitter, hit me up on my YouTube and everything, and let me know what I should call this."

Wiz Khalifa explained that he wanted to post short, regular video updates on Twitter as he worked to grow his following. | Source: YouTube/Wiz Khalifa
He also explained that the videos would remain short, giving fans quick glimpses into whatever he happened to be working on. "They gon' be quick, quick clips. Not nothing too long, like two, three, four, five-minute clips and let y'all see what's going on, what we doing at the moment," the rapper added.

Wiz Khalifa encouraged fans to submit ideas for the title of his new Twitter series, promising to share quick behind-the-scenes clips from the studio. | Source: YouTube/Wiz Khalifa
Shortly after asking for ideas, Khalifa returned to the camera and shared several of the suggestions fans had already submitted. Among them were "Wizual Twitual TV," "Wiz Khalifa TV," "Prince of Twitty," and "Twizzler TV."
Some names caught his attention more than others. "'Wizzel Televizzel'... I like that," he admitted after reading through the growing list. Not every suggestion earned the same reaction, though. When he came across "Twit Khalifa," he couldn't help but joke about the unintended meaning.

Wiz Khalifa pulled up his Twitter page to show fans the stream of suggestions they had already submitted for the name of his upcoming video series. | Source: YouTube/Wiz Khalifa
"Almost. That's almost there, but it sound like you callin' me a twit, like I'm an idiot or something like that," he shared before encouraging viewers to keep the ideas coming. "Let's get some more in, man. What should I call this [expletive]? Let me know."
The exchange offered an early example of Khalifa using social media as more than just a promotional tool. Instead of simply announcing a new project, he invited fans to play a role in shaping it.

Khalifa reviewed fan-submitted name ideas in real time, highlighting how quickly viewers responded to his request for suggestions. | Source: YouTube/Wiz Khalifa
Beyond the discussion about Twitter, the video doubled as a snapshot of Khalifa's creative process during an important point in his career. The rapper gave viewers a look inside the studio alongside producer E. Dan as work continued on "Flight School," the mixtape that would arrive later in 2009.

The studio setup used during the recording of "Flight School" appeared in the vlog as Wiz Khalifa gave fans a behind-the-scenes look at the mixtape's production. | Source: YouTube/Wiz Khalifa
"We working on 'Flight School,'" Khalifa said. "[Trying to] get that all the way together. In the studio right now, as we speak." He also teased a steady rollout of new music in the weeks ahead, adding:
"We finishing it up. We getting a couple of these joints ready for the internet that I'm gonna be putting out next week and the week after that and the week after that."
Looking back, the vlog captured more than just a recording session. It preserved a moment when Wiz Khalifa was building his fan base one upload at a time. It also showed how willing he was to bring fans into the process, even down to naming the series itself.
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