Kush & OJ Revisited: Alissa Fere’s Creative Tribute to Wiz Khalifa’s Iconic Mixtape

When I dropped the 4Da Streetz music video on Halloween 2025, it wasn’t just a visual—it was a love letter. A tribute. A full-circle moment. Because long before I was Alissa Fere, before Doc’s Castle had a name, before A Voice of My Own was published as a chapter, there was Wiz Khalifa’s Kush & OJ.

Wiz Khalifa’s 2010 mixtape wasn’t just a vibe—it was a blueprint. The soundtrack to my early creative grind. The orange juice, wake-and-bake mornings, and late-night plotting. The smoke, the smoothness, the sense that you could build your own lane and cruise in it. Kush & OJ permitted me to dream out loud.

“Never Been” and “In The Cut” are two songs that really captivated me. They’re among my top favorites on the mixtape. I’ve always felt a strong connection to their beats, thinking I’d love them forever. Years later, that inspired me to write my own lyrics for “Never Been.” The original beat isn’t available on streaming services. I found through Reddit threads that it’s because the beat includes a sample from the 1995 video game Chrono Trigger. However, Sledgren’s original beat resonated with me, much as another artist, Logic, used it for his 2012 mixtape, A Tale of Two Stans. To celebrate Wiz Khalifa’s 15th anniversary, I’ll do the same. With it, I’m including the 4Da Streetz song and a mic drop tribute video on Doc’s Castle Media, showing my appreciation.

When I heard the anniversary was coming up, I knew I had to pay my tribute in my own way. That’s how 4Da Streetz Official Mic Drop Video came to be.

A Tribute in Motion

Shot and directed by the visionary Shot by Swish, with The Real Smirf bringing the energy of Easy Rider and The Lineup Room providing the sonic backbone, 4Da Streetz is more than a music video — it’s a thank you — a nod to the mixtape that shaped my sound, my aesthetic, my hustle. Every frame is laced with the spirit of Kush & OJ — from the laid-back confidence Fere exudes as she sits on the couch in the studio, gazing at the pink smoke clouds, to the unapologetic pride in where she’s from.

Other honorable mentions I’d like to thank for producing this moment in Alissa Fere’s timeline are the engineer who helped lay down the track at The Lineup Room Studio, Track Smith, and Dreez of TrustIn Records for mixing and mastering the track.

Then Came the Anniversary Drop

On November 14, 2025, Wiz Khalifa and Rostrum Records released the official 15th-anniversary edition of Kush & OJ, now streaming everywhere. The re-release includes two unreleased tracks from that era—“Over Here” and “Champagne”—gems that feel like they were tucked away in a time capsule, waiting for this moment. Hearing them now, weeks after releasing 4Da Streetz, felt like a cosmic nod. Like the universe saying, “Yeah, you were right to honor this.”

Listen to the 15th Anniversary of Kush & OJ.

From Mixtape to Memoir

In A Voice of My Own, I talk about how Kush & OJ was part of my origin story. It wasn’t just music. It was a motivation to write about one of the memories of a time when I listened to the tape. Writing my song Jose (Liquor Talkin) from a moment before vibing to the original tape taught me how to build a vibe, how to stay true, how to let the world catch up to your frequency. That mixtape helped shape Alissa Fere. And this tribute—this video, this moment—is my way of giving flowers while the music still plays.

So stream the anniversary edition. Watch 4Da Streetz. And if you’ve ever had a mixtape that made you feel seen, heard, or unstoppable—this one’s for you too.

Did you see what I dressed as for Halloween 2025? Read “Im My Alter Ego for Halloween 2025” on Doc’s Castle Media.

I’m My Alter Ego for Halloween 2025: Alissa Fere

For many years, I’ve dressed up as a variety of characters. Halloween has always been my time to shine, a moment to embody creativity and personal expression. This year, my costume is more than just a look—it’s a personal release and a performance. I’m stepping into the shoes of someone known only to me: my alter ego, Alissa Fere.

In the past, I often chose costumes inspired by trending topics or cultural moments. This year, with the world feeling uncertain and chaotic, I wanted to create something meaningful and authentic rather than topical or morbid,  like an expired SNAP benefits card or an unemployed SSA employee.

Read: Get in the Spirit of Halloween: 5 Halloween Costumes by Doc

Despite the turmoil and challenges we face nationally, including the ongoing struggles since the Trump administration’s policies, I find hope in the resilience and solidarity of communities. Families in Oregon organize food drives, and I’ve witnessed firsthand the generosity in Maryland through my work with Instacart, delivering food to those in need. These acts of kindness inspire me to believe we can emerge stronger.

Since my son arrived, he’s developed a love for Halloween that mirrors my own. His costume had to be special—he requested to be a Happy Dragon. After weeks of interpreting what that meant, I transformed him into the happiest dragon I know. His creativity fuels mine, especially during this season.

Ro, The Happy Dragon and my sister dressed as a sim.

I chose to be his partner in crime this year. The Mother of Dragons herself visited my spirit, painting my hair blonde. I became Daenerys Targaryen, the fierce and complex character from George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire and the HBO series Game of Thrones. Walking alongside my son in this tradition, which my sister and I have cherished for three years, was truly magical.

The Many Faces of Halloween

Over the past decade, I’ve embodied many characters—from Tina Belcher of Bob’s Burgers to a Covid-19 germ, to cancel culture itself. Each costume tells a story, reflects a moment, or challenges a narrative.

Introducing Alissa Fere and the Official Mic Drop Video

With the release of “A Voice of My Own,” a free chapter from my memoir 4Da Streetz, I’m unveiling something special: my alter ego Alissa Fere and the official mic drop video for my very first music video.

Alissa Fere

Born in the Underground Dojo, Alissa Fere found her voice in Baltimore’s underground arts scene in the early 2010s. She is the alter ego of Taylor “Doc” Walker, founder of Doc’s Castle Media, and more than a name—she’s a reckoning.

For years, Alissa observed from the shadows, learning the grind and grace of artists around her while quietly nurturing her own lyrical fire. Now, she bursts forth with unapologetic boldness. Her music is raw, honest, and unfiltered—a declaration of selfhood, survival, and resistance against the silence polite society demands.

Alissa Fere doesn’t just write music. She tells it like it is. No filters. No apologies. Just her truth, amplified.


How to Engage with This Release

This Halloween, I’m not just dressing up—I’m stepping into my power and inviting you to witness the birth of Alissa Fere. Stay tuned for more creative releases and performances from Doc’s Castle Media.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Easy Rider Reborn: TheRealSmirf and the Legacy of Kush and OJ

The Real Smirf steps in as the infamous DJ of the Kush and OJ mixtape, Easy Rider.

Like I said before, the 4Da Streetz video is a tribute to the 15 Year Anniversary of Wiz Khalifa’s Kush and OJ mixtape. It’s from an era when mixtapes were the soundtrack to nights thick with smoke, laughter, and the pulse of the city. Kush and OJ wasn’t just music; it was the heartbeat of every kickback, every smoke cipher, every gathering where stories were shared and memories made. I downloaded it from LiveMixtapes in 2010 and didn’t skip a single track. That tape played on repeat, weaving itself into the fabric of those moments, earning its place as the dope-ass soundtrack everyone knew and loved.

Inspired by Wiz Khalifa’s Easy Rider

On Skit 1, which introduces the theme of the tape, we meet an unforgettable character named Easy Rider. Easy Rider is the host of the Kush and OJ mixtape, voiced by Wiz Khalifa. I’ve always liked this character and how he introduced Wiz to listeners. I wanted to do the same for Alissa Fere, giving her a theatrical introduction similar to Wiz’s way of introducing us to everything he brought to his listeners in this exceptional album.

I’m aiming to make this mic drop video stand out by using my favorite beat from the track, “Never Been,” produced by Sledgren. I discovered the original beat isn’t on streaming services because it samples music from the 1995 video game Chrono Trigger. Despite this, the beat resonated deeply with me, much like when Logic used it for his 2012 mixtape A Tale of Two Stans. Now, 4Da Streetz also features this beat. The song is available as a free download in my book, A Voice of My Own, gifted like a mixtape—once downloadable on platforms like Datpiff and LiveMixtapes, now on my Bandcamp for Alissa Fere.

Read: Baltimore’s Shot By Swish Directs 4Da Streetz Tribute to Wiz Khalifa’s Kush & OJ

TheRealSmirf acts as Easy Rider

What can I do that’ll bring this out more and show how much I really like this tape? I want there to be a skit, and I want someone funny to do it. TheRealSmirf, whom I discovered through his TikTok series “NotMeSmirf,” where he delivers sharp, humorous takes on a variety of everyday topics with a witty and relatable style, brings that energy perfectly.

Watch TheRealSmirf on Instagram

Smirf came through for me in a bind, and I appreciate him for it. When something falls through, I love it when artists can help make up for lost creative labor by sharing their expertise. That’s why I have to give extra applause to TheRealSmirf for not only acting as Easy Rider in the video but also helping coach me on the perfect visuals for executing my first video.

Tevin Towns Interview with TheRealSmirf on Personal Perspectives

Listen to Tevin Towns interview with TheRealSmirf on Personal Perspectives on YouTube. Watch as he opens up about his ten years as a comedian, his life’s challenges, personal growth, battle rapping, content creation, and support from Baltimore.

Watch the interview on YouTube

Want to hear something funny from TheRealSmirf? Follow him for skits, future show dates, and rap battles on his Instagram at @thereal_smirf.


Kush and OJ isn’t just a mixtape; it’s the pulse of nights woven with smoke, laughter, and the rhythm of connection—a soundtrack that shaped a generation’s gatherings and dreams. With TheRealSmirf stepping into the role of Easy Rider, that spirit is reborn, laced with humor and heart, bridging the echoes of past and present. I invite you to dive deep into this homage, to watch the 4Da Streetz video, and to rediscover the magic that mixtapes like Kush and OJ breathed into our lives. This is more than music—it’s a living legacy, a celebration of culture, creativity, and community. Follow TheRealSmirf’s journey on Instagram at @thereal_smirf.

Have you heard 4Da Streetz by Alissa Fere? Watch the lyric video below.

Download the free ebook A Voice of My Own.

Baltimore’s Shot By Swish Directs 4Da Streetz Tribute to Wiz Khalifa’s Kush & OJ

This ain’t just a mic drop. It’s a love letter to Kush & OJ. Directed by Shot By Swish. Inspired by legacy. Alissa Fere returns.

Donte Hutchins, a highly talented director and videographer known in Baltimore’s underground arts scene as Shot By Swish, was the perfect choice to craft the visuals for the 4Da Streetz music video. His lens doesn’t just capture moments. It translates legacy.

Swish and I go back over a decade. I can say our creative chemistry is unmatched. It’s rooted in trust, rhythm, and a shared hunger to elevate Baltimore’s voice. So when it came time to craft a visual tribute to one of my all-time favorite rappers, Wiz Khalifa, I knew Swish would bring the grit and reverence this project demanded.

I pitched the idea to Swish casually. This will be a mic drop video, not a full music video. He insisted on calling it a treatment once we agreed to collaborate. It’s my love letter to Kush & OJ. I told him this was a tribute to the master of Taylor Gang, inspired by my favorite song and mixtape.

“It’s the 15th anniversary of Wiz Khalifa’s Kush & OJ. I need to do something to show my appreciation,” I tell Swish during one of our weekly meet-ups in my art studio.

“Knowing how much and important Wiz Khalifa is as an influence to Alissa, I know for this to be her stepping out visuals, it’s extremely special to her,” Swish said.

Kush & OJ shaped many memories, inspired the song Jose (Liquor Talkin), and left fingerprints all over Alissa Fere’s story. It deserved a tribute that felt personal and cinematic.

Read: The Essay I Never Wrote—Until Now

This mic drop video had to stand apart because mic drop videos are everywhere. Most artists perform in front of a mic, delivering verses with raw energy. But I didn’t want to replicate what’s already been done on platforms like The Floaters or SpitCam University’s Instagram. I wanted something that felt like a moment, a moment similar to when Alissa Fere was recording in the Underground Dojo. A statement. A visual exhale.

4Da Streetz Mic Drop, 2025

Swish isn’t foreign to shooting these types of videos either. He immediately understood the assignment. His Instagram is a living archive of Baltimore’s creative pulse, recaps of milestone moments, portraits of ambition, and collaborations that turn ideas into impact. He’s not just a videographer; he’s a memory keeper. His work turns fleeting ideas into lasting visuals, and his journey reflects a belief I share: with vision and perseverance, anything is possible.

DJ The Rapper Int’l Players Anthem Freestyle

Shot By Swish

Shot By Swish Logo, 2025

Shot By Swish is the brand name for Donte Hutchins, a photographer and videographer with over 8 years of experience in visual media. He’s collaborated with legendary artists like Mary J. Blige, Gucci Mane, SZA, and Kendrick Lamar, and contributed to projects with major platforms including ESPN. His work alongside influential figures such as DJ Quicksilva and Lil Mo further cements his reputation.

But Swish’s heart is in Baltimore. He’s committed to elevating local talent and embracing opportunities that push the boundaries of his craft. His work on 4Da Streetz isn’t just a video — it’s a mic drop for a Baltimore creative culture. 

If you’re looking to book a shoot with Swish, hit up Shot By Swish on his Instagram. Whether you’re a seasoned artist or just getting started, Swish’s visuals can shape your legacy.

Have you heard 4Da Streetz by Alissa Fere? Watch the lyric video below.