Wiz Khalifa seemingly believes Earth is flat. The rapper joins a small but vocal community of celebrities who have expressed similar views in recent years.
The ‘Black and Yellow’ rapper has rejected the notion the planet is round and is convinced that humans reside on a “huge flat plane”. His comments have sparked discussion across social media platforms since the interview’s release.
“No,” he said in a Patreon episode of ‘The Joe Budden Podcast’ when asked if he thinks Earth is round. “I just believe that we live on a flat plane, like a huge flat plane. It’s only because I’ve travelled so much.” Khalifa has toured extensively throughout his career, visiting countries across multiple continents.
But guest host and academic Marc Lamont Hill then asked Wiz if he had ever travelled to the edge of the Earth. This question reflects a common challenge to flat Earth believers, as no documented evidence exists of anyone reaching such a boundary.
“Nah, it’s not that. I think that there’s more masses than just what we see because it was one thing before and it spread out,” he said, seemingly referring to the supercontinent of Pangaea. “Because when I travel, the routes that we take and how we do it, it’s not possible to go up and down. You’re just going straight. That’s the only reason I think that.” Scientists note that the curvature of Earth is imperceptible during most travel due to its large size.
The 37-year-old musician also cast doubt on space exploration. Space agencies worldwide have launched numerous missions and satellites into orbit since the beginning of the space age.
“I don’t believe in space exploration at all. I don’t believe that they explore space as much as they say that they do,” he said. These comments come despite numerous independently verified space missions and astronomical observations from multiple countries and private organizations.
Despite his comments, the ‘See You Again’ hitmaker’s latest album, ‘Kush + Orange Juice 2‘, features a photo of a round Earth on its cover. This apparent contradiction has been noted by fans, generating discussion about the artist’s true beliefs.
The record is a follow-up to his 2010 album but Wiz recently admitted he “wasn’t into doing a sequel” and “would always leave ‘Kush + Orange Juice’ alone”, but his thoughts changed when he began working on the record. His original mixtape has become a fan favorite since its release.
“I just thought, ‘What would be the most satisfying for the fans and the people who support me? Should I start over and do something brand new, or re-create something that they already love and that they’re already used to?'” he told Grammy.com. “So that’s what made me make the decision to work on a follow-up.” The album has gained significant attention on streaming platforms since its release.
Flat Earth beliefs have experienced a resurgence in recent years despite overwhelming scientific evidence confirming Earth’s spherical shape. Historical measurements dating back to ancient Greece have consistently demonstrated Earth’s curvature through various experiments and observations.
Khalifa‘s comments have prompted responses from the scientific community, with several educators using the opportunity to explain the multiple lines of evidence for Earth’s spherical nature. These include ships disappearing hull-first over the horizon, different star patterns visible from different latitudes, and satellite imagery.
The rapper, who has millions of followers across social media platforms, has significant influence among his fan base. Celebrity statements on scientific matters often generate substantial public interest and can impact public perception on various topics.
Khalifa, born Cameron Jibril Thomaz, rose to prominence in the late 2000s and has maintained a successful career spanning multiple albums and hit singles. His track “See You Again” with Charlie Puth became one of the most successful music videos in YouTube history.
The discussion about Earth’s shape has been a recurring topic throughout human history, with conclusive scientific evidence establishing its spherical nature being available for centuries. Modern technology, including GPS systems, international flight paths, and live feeds from space stations, all function based on and confirm Earth’s spherical geometry.
