American rapper Wiz Khalifa announced the death of his father, Laurence W. Thomaz, in an emotional post on social media, sharing the news that his father passed away suddenly at the age of 63. In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Wiz Khalifa, whose real name is Cameron Jibril Thomaz, wrote that his father “decided not to wake up,” and expressed that he will “always love him, miss him and be grateful for the things he taught me,” describing Thomaz as having gone “out like a true yogi, at peace and on his own time.” He also shared several throwback photos on his Instagram Story, including childhood moments and a snapshot of his dad with his late sibling, Dorien “Lala” Thomaz, whom Wiz lost in 2017. In a follow-up message on X, Wiz revealed that their last conversation centered on his father expressing pride in him for his role in a movie, and he had promised to do more. He added that seeing the widespread love and respect for his father brings him some comfort, noting that leaving a positive impact on the world was all his dad ever wanted. Laurence Thomaz, a U.S. Air Force veteran, had been a significant influence on Wiz’s life and career, including opening a recording studio in Pittsburgh during his son’s youth, something Wiz credited with helping launch his music journey.
Fans, fellow artists, and followers have flooded social media with messages of condolence and support following the announcement, acknowledging the rapper’s loss and the meaningful tribute he shared. No details about funeral arrangements or the cause of death have been released.
