Wiz Khalifa and the art of 'aura farming'

When Wiz Khalifa steps onto the Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre stage on August 1, it won’t just be a high-energy rap show likely clouded in pot smoke — it’ll be a masterclass in aura farming.

Aura farming is a slang term coined by Gen Z and popularized on TikTok. It refers to the act of intentionally cultivating your vibe, Zaza (if you’re smoking), or aesthetic/brand in a way that draws admiration without ever looking like you’re trying too hard.

Boomers might’ve called it being cool. Gen X? “A badass motherfucker.”

Today’s youth? They say you’re “farming aura” because you’re producing a vibe so strong that others catch it. And Wiz — real name Cameron Jibril Thomaz — is entirely on board with the movement. Literally.

On July 13, the 37-year-old rapper posted a TikTok clip of himself cruising downhill on a penny-style skateboard while mimicking the viral dance of Indonesian boat-racing sensation Rayyan Arkan Dikha. Set to Melly Mike’s “Young Black & Rich,” Wiz rolled his fists, dabbed, spanked the air and freestyled a swimming motion, all while gliding forward effortlessly.

The video, posted to his 7.3 million TikTok followers, racked up over 568,000 likes (and counting), and was captioned: “Out here aura farming. Good vibes only.”

Wiz doubled down during a recent concert, walking out on stage with the same now-iconic dance. The crowd erupted. Cheers, screams, and phones filled the air, acknowledging the moment and validating the “Young, Wild and Free” rap star’s aura. He didn’t have to say a word — his energy spoke.

If we’re lucky, he’ll hit the Phoenix stage with that same flavor-charged entrance. Whether you’re rolling one up or just vibin’ in the crowd, get ready to catch a contact high from the aura Wiz’s been farming since day one. From the start, Wiz has embodied effortless cool, with his signature dark sunglasses, neck tatts, crispy-clean sneakers, and lazy melodic flow that slides between harmonizing, singing and rapping.

In early 2009-2010, joints like “This Plane,” “The Thrill” and “Mesmerized” showcased his ability not just to spit dope-ass bars, but also his energy, which made listeners feel like they were floating two feet off the ground.

Whether or not those deep-cut favorites make the setlist, fans can count on the bangers that launched him into the mainstream.

“Black and Yellow” was the joint that put Wiz Khalifa on the map. Dropped in September 2010, as the lead single off his Rolling Papers album, the track slapped its way to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Wiz’s first chart-topper in the U.S.

“Black and Yellow” was more than just a hit — it was a sonic love letter to Pittsburgh, Wiz Khalifa’s hometown, wrapped in swagger and pride. The track rides a grinding, looped synth that feels like a victory lap in slow motion, while the title itself hits like a chant echoing through the city’s stadiums. Black and yellow wasn’t just a color combo; it was an identity. It repped the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, all rocking the same iconic scheme. But it also reflected Wiz’s world at the time: his chains, his flex and his yellow hemi-powered Dodge Challenger with black racing stripes, a rolling tribute to the 412. Wiz’s “Blacc Hollywood” album dropped in 2014 and went straight to the top of the Billboard 200, led by the stadium-shaking anthem “We Dem Boyz.” Then came “See You Again” in 2015, his emotional collab with Charlie Puth that gave Zonie street racers and many women fans “all the feels.” The song wasn’t just a pop-rap crossover — it was a global tribute to the late Paul Walker and the heartbeat of the “Furious 7” soundtrack. That joint held down the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 non-consecutive weeks, proving Wiz wasn’t just the weed-infused rap artist; he was the moment.

So when Wiz pulls up to Phoenix next week, it’s not just about the music. It’s about witnessing someone who’s been shaping the culture’s frequency for over a decade. A wizard who can rock a basic tee and wave a blunt in one hand and be the coolest dude in the room, on a skateboard, or standing next to a canoe full of rowers halfway across the globe.

Then, his Khalifa Kush cannabis line, available at Trulieve dispensaries in metro Phoenix, adds another layer to the ambiance.

Wiz isn’t cool because he smokes; he smokes because he’s cool. And people have been catching that contact high for years.

And aura farming?

Rayyan planted the seed. Wiz spread the pollen. And the rest of us in metro Phoenix? We’re just trying to catch the vibe.

Wiz Khalifa’s Good Vibes Only Tour: Smoker’s Edition starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre.