Wiz Khalifa’s "B.A.R." Set The Precedent For His Career


We briefly explore the importance Wiz Khalifa’s “B.A.R.” mixtape and title track, and its influence on his career.

There are some songs that will always remind you a specific time in your life, perhaps even a place, a person, or a routine you once had. Music is eternally stamped with the era your life in which you discovered it, it’s impossible to untangle the two. Wiz Khalifa’s “B.A.R.” is one such song for me, as it once acted as my daily soundtrack for my walk to and from university classes. Circa 2009, it was my first introduction to the then-budding artist, Wiz Khalifa. I remember thinking, that’s a strange name, not knowing the deeper meaning to it. I remember pressing play, after my brother had sent me a link for B.A.R., unaware the project I was about to dive into, or even what “B.A.R.” stood for, yet. I pressed play, and was immediately immersed– the song course, is the title track for the mixtape the same name. It’s the title track in particular that remains one Wiz’s most important songs in his come-up, determining a sound and direction he would explore to even further depths on his groundbreaking mixtape to follow, Kush & OJ.

Wiz Khalifa's "B.A.R." Set The Precedent For His Career

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B.A.R. wasn’t Wiz’s first mixtape, by any stretch. Wiz’s catalog is heavily documented across the internet, from his debut mixtape to his debut album, each these arriving prior to the release B.A.R.B.A.R., however, was the project that allowed Wiz to reach a larger audience, outside Pittsburgh, and gain traction across the blogosphere. This was a time when DJs were prevalent and having certain DJ names attached to your mixtape would allow it to spread further– DJ Rockstar and DJ Ill Will were two the biggest names at the time, and no doubt their co-sign B.A.R. helped usher in new fans.

B.A.R. wasn’t some sort sudden revelation that Wiz loved smoking weed, either, he was already immersed in a marijuana lifestyle and all that entails. His joint effort with Curren$y, How Fly, cemented this fact prior to B.A.R., as well as his solo Flight School mixtape– both a subtle (or obvious) nod to his favorite hobby. Still, B.A.R. is the most important marker in Wiz’s catalog, as the pre-Kush & OJ release that essentially served as a warning that this weed-loving, laid-back artist was about to take over the game, all by his damn self, too. Flight School, Show & Prove– every project prior to B.A.R., really– Wiz was still figuring out his sound and how to be uniquely himself. Thus each proved a mixed bag, ten borrowing or replicating other sounds, and not necessarily fering anything distinct in the grand scheme things, that is, until B.A.R. This mixtape was clearly different, something we had never heard before. That’s why it’s such an important notch in Wiz’s discography, perhaps even more so than Kush & OJ, at least from the perspective establishing a style. It’s one that seems to be under-appreciated too.

The opening track is the best song on the 18-track mixtape. It wouldn’t sound out place on Kush & OJ either, indicating it’s hazy style. In fact, Kush & OJ’s opening record followed a similar path and concept, with “Waken & Baken” fering a light, airy musical intro as Wiz’s vocals glide along, guiding your smoking experience. “B.A.R.” solidified Wiz’s penchant for this type atmospheric, closed hi-hat-riddled production. Wiz’s vocals are literally “floating on” too, dissipating into the musical ether while the sounds a lush electric guitar echo in the background (a sample courtesy Pink Floyd).

“B.A.R.” is, then, the trademark Wiz sound– if Wiz’s sound could be captured only in the span one song, it would likely be this. It has all the attributes we’ve come to love from him: a nonchalant flow, an ambience that’s built around light percussion and hi-hats, and lyrics a stoner who is simply loving life and all the good things coming his way. It’s an easy message and sound to get behind, and one that Wiz has remained loyal to until this day.