Wiz Khalifa’s Kush & Orange Juice Legacy Grows With Tiny Desk Debut and Sequel Mixtape

Wiz Khalifa’s mellow, vibey style has long been a staple in the hip-hop scene, striking a chord with fans who gravitate toward laid-back, feel-good music. With a career spanning nearly two decades, the Taylor Gang leader has amassed an extensive discography filled with fan favorites and underrated gems. Among these, none stand taller than his 2010 mixtape Kush & Orange Juice, a project that continues to define his legacy—and in April 2025, it received the celebration it truly deserves.

In honor of the mixtape’s 15-year anniversary, Wiz dropped Kush + Orange Juice 2 on April 18, 2025. The sequel project serves as both a nostalgic callback and a fresh take, bringing in features from the likes of Don Toliver, Smoke DZA, Chevy Woods, Larry June, and Juicy J across 23 smooth, THC-laced tracks.

Adding to the anniversary festivities, Wiz Khalifa performed at NPR’s Tiny Desk for the first time earlier this week—a career milestone and fitting tribute to the original project’s cultural impact. As part of NPR’s ongoing celebration of Black Music Month, Wiz joined the ranks of artists like Amerie and E-40 who have also appeared this June.

The performance was a love letter to Kush & Orange Juice, with a setlist curated exclusively from the original mixtape. Wiz opened with fan-favorite tracks “Red Eye,” “Mezmorized,” and “The Kid Frankie,” setting a chilled-out tone with live instrumentation that elevated the vibe. He then closed out his 21-minute set with “Never Been,” “Up,” and an emotionally raw performance of “Crime Bud and Women.”

The band—featuring drums, guitar, bass, and keys—brought a dreamy, almost ethereal quality to the show. Wiz’s delivery was effortless and polished, but it was his vulnerability during “Crime Bud and Women” that made the moment unforgettable. Mid-performance, emotions overwhelmed him. For a few seconds, he let the tears fall before joking, “Y’all made me cry! F*ck y’all,” drawing laughter and applause from the intimate crowd.

According to Billboard, Wiz’s family and close friends, including his father, were present for the performance, adding even more emotional depth to an already powerful moment. It was a rare and beautiful glimpse into the heart of an artist often known for his cool demeanor and carefree lifestyle.

Fans responded overwhelmingly positively to the set, flooding YouTube comments with love and appreciation. “This one is really for The Taylors,” one user wrote. “Wiz Khalifa is like a part of my teenage and young adult years. The guy is an icon,” another added, capturing the sentiment shared by many longtime listeners.

For Wiz Khalifa, this latest string of achievements is more than just a victory lap—it’s a reaffirmation of his enduring influence in hip-hop. From his early mixtape days to now performing stripped-down versions of his classics for Tiny Desk, his evolution is evident, but so is his consistency in staying true to his core sound.

With Kush + Orange Juice 2, a powerful Tiny Desk debut, and the love of his fans behind him, Wiz Khalifa continues to cement his status as one of the genre’s most beloved and enduring artists.