Wiz Khalifa has announced the unexpected death of his father, Laurence W. Thomaz, at the age of 63. The rapper shared the news on social media platform X, stating, “today my father decided not to wake up.” His heartfelt message continued, expressing his profound love and gratitude: “I will always love him, miss him and be grateful for the things he taught me.” Khalifa characterized his father’s passing as peaceful, adding, “He went out like a true yogi, at peace and on his own time. I love you forever Laurence W. Thomaz.”
In a follow-up post, Khalifa reflected on the sudden nature of his father’s passing, acknowledging the outpouring of love and respect from those who knew him. “Seeing how many people love and respected him makes me happy,” he wrote. “I know he’s proud that he left a positive impact on this earth. Literally all he ever wanted.” The rapper, whose real name is Cameron Jibril Thomaz, emphasized the significance of their last conversation, during which his father expressed pride in Khalifa’s recent film work.
Khalifa has expressed his appreciation for the support he has received during this difficult time. “Thank you all for your kind words. It really means a lot in this tough time and is helping me feel better,” he posted on X. He also shared a series of throwback photos on Instagram, highlighting cherished memories with his father. One image showed Thomaz assisting Khalifa onto a swing, captioned simply: “Love you big guy.” Another photo featured Khalifa alongside his dad and his late brother, Dorien “Lala” Thomaz, who passed away in 2017. Khalifa poignantly remarked, “You and Lala are together again.”
The bond between Khalifa and his father has been well-documented. In a 2016 interview with NME, Khalifa credited Thomaz with laying the groundwork for his music career by establishing a recording studio in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. “I was in second grade when I first started rapping,” he recalled. “I grew up in a poor neighbourhood. We didn’t have much, so I listened to the radio all the time.” He described how discovering that he could rap like the artists he admired transformed his life.
Khalifa, now 38, is also a father himself, sharing a son, Sebastian, with ex-wife Amber Rose and welcoming a daughter, Kaydence, with girlfriend Aimee Aguilar in July 2024. During a recent episode of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, Khalifa reflected on the impact of fatherhood on his life. “It let me know what I’m really good at and what I’m really here for,” he told host Alex Cooper.
He elaborated on the difference between his career as an entertainer and his role as a father, stating, “Being a dad is something that naturally comes.” He underlined the rewarding nature of parenting, sharing how his son frequently expresses his love and admiration for him. “It’s really, really rewarding as a parent,” Khalifa concluded.
As Khalifa navigates this personal loss, he continues to honor his father’s legacy while also cherishing his own role as a father. The sudden death of Laurence W. Thomaz marks a significant moment in the rapper’s life, one that resonates deeply with his fans and family alike.
