Imagine a birthday tradition so unusual, it sparks a heated debate about parenting and discipline. Wiz Khalifa recently shared a video of himself delivering 13 playful punches to his son Sebastian’s stomach as part of a birthday ritual, leaving many scratching their heads and others defending it as harmless fun. But here's where it gets controversial: is this a lighthearted family tradition or a questionable practice that crosses the line? Let’s dive in.
Over the weekend, the “See You Again” hitmaker took to his Instagram Stories to document the annual birthday tradition with his now 13-year-old son. In the clip, Khalifa, born Cameron Jibril Thomaz, is seen preparing for the ritual with a boxing glove, placing Sebastian’s hands above his head, and declaring, “Ready. Thirteen [punches]. Here we go.” The first punch made Sebastian wince, prompting him to lower his arms. “Hands up,” Khalifa instructed, adding, “Take it like a G, you’re 13 years old.” He even offered advice: “Tighten your abs and breathe out every time you get struck.” Sebastian, following his father’s guidance, bravely endured each blow, with Khalifa delivering a final punch “for good luck.”
The video, which Khalifa captioned, “We still doin’ birthday licks in this house. Took it like a G tho,” has since sparked a flurry of reactions. While some see it as a bonding moment between father and son, others question whether it normalizes physical force as a form of celebration. And this is the part most people miss: traditions like these often reflect deeper cultural or familial values, but they can also blur the lines between playfulness and potential harm. Is this a harmless rite of passage, or does it send the wrong message about physicality and consent?
Khalifa shares Sebastian with his ex-wife, Amber Rose, whom he was married to from 2013 to 2016. He also has a 1-year-old daughter, Kaydence, with his girlfriend, Aimee Aguilar, whom he’s been dating since 2019. The “Black and Yellow” rapper has been open about his parenting style, previously admitting to attending Sebastian’s parent-teacher conference while under the influence of marijuana. “They expect it,” he said on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast in 2024. “It’s not like back in the day where you’re considered a bad parent if you smoke weed.” He even joked that Sebastian likely “smells like weed” too, though he “can’t smell it.”
This isn’t the first time Khalifa’s unconventional approach to parenting has raised eyebrows, but it’s certainly one of the most polarizing. What do you think? Is this tradition a fun way to mark a birthday, or does it cross a line? Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments—we want to hear your thoughts!
