Wiz Khalifa Discusses the Pittsburgh Scene

Wiz Khalifa has become one of hip hop's brightest stars over the past year and a half, and he's also become one of Pittsburgh, PA's most celebrated native sons. In a recent interview, the rapper talked to MTV about his hometown and the impact his success has had on it.

"With the music, it's a whole new avenue we done opened up for kids and for people to look up to," said Khalifa. "It's a reality now out there, so it's really important for us to just embrace 'em and motivate 'em and push 'em forward."

"You really won't get it if you're not from there," he continued. "Just growing up in Pittsburgh and knowing different neighborhoods, having family there and just loving it, it's like no other place."

He also acknowledged that Pittsburgh typically gets overshadowed by Philadelphia.

"We always had love for Philly. It was harder for Philly to embrace us because we're a little bit slower to them or to more East Coast towns. Philly is more East Coast than Pittsburgh. It's closer to New Jersey and New York, so the vibe is way more fast-paced. Pittsburgh, it's just laid-back ... Midwest almost on some country stuff."