Wiz Khalifa’s roots in Pittsburgh began within the South.
The 38-year-old rapper—born Cameron Jibril Thomaz—will seem on an upcoming episode of PBS’ “Discovering Your Roots,” hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr., the place he learns how his household first settled in Western Pennsylvania in the course of the Nice Migration, based on a preview clip teasing the episode.
Within the clip, Gates explains that when Khalifa’s household—significantly his grandfather, Willie Wimbush Jr.—arrived in Pennsylvania from the South, they settled in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, town’s traditionally Black neighborhood. Their story is a part of the Nice Migration, the mass motion of Black households from the South to different components of the nation from the early to mid-1900s as they fled the brutality of Jim Crow and sought larger alternative. Many relocated to the Midwest and Northeast, together with Khalifa’s household.
As Gates walks him via the historical past, the “Black and Yellow” rapper couldn’t conceal his delight.
“It’s actually good to study it,” he stated. “Simply to know… simply to really feel Papa Bush’s ambition via his story. That’s what I might really feel.”
Khalifa’s episode, titled “Nice Migrations,” may even highlight actress Sanaa Lathan, whose deep dive features a revelation about her great-great-grandfather and a second of authorized historical past that strikes her to tears.
“He was like, y’all ain’t stopping me!” she cheers.
Season 12 of “Discovering Your Roots”—which sees Gates information celebrities and notable figures via their ancestry utilizing genetic testing and historic information—has already kicked off, with extra high-profile company nonetheless to come back, together with Lizzo, Rhiannon Giddens, Danielle Deadwyler, Spike Lee, Delroy Lindo, and extra.
Wiz Khalifa’s episode premieres Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 8 p.m. ET on PBS, PBS.org, the PBS App, and the PBS Documentaries Prime Video Channel.
