Waka Flocka Flame

Juaquin James Malphurs[1] (born May 31, 1986), better known as Waka Flocka Flame, is an American rapper. Signing to 1017 Brick Squad and Warner Bros. Records in 2009, he became a mainstream artist with the release of his singles "O Let's Do It", "Hard in da Paint", and "No Hands", with the latter peaking at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100. His debut studio album Flockaveli was released in 2010. His second studio album Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family was released in 2012 and was preceded by the lead single "Round of Applause".

Waka Flocka Flame
Waka Flocka performing in October 2016
Background information
Birth nameJuaquin James Malphurs
Born (1986-05-31) May 31, 1986
New York City, New York, U.S.
OriginAtlanta, Georgia, United States
GenresHip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Years active2008-present
Labels
Associated acts
Websitewakaflocka.com

Early life

Malphurs was born in South Jamaica, Queens. His family eventually settled in Riverdale, Georgia.[2] His mother, Debra Antney, is rapper Gucci Mane's former manager and the CEO of So Icey/Mizay Entertainment.[3] The name "Waka" was given to him by his cousin, after the Muppets character Fozzie Bear's catchphrase, "Wocka Wocka". The name "Flocka Flame" was given to him by Gucci Mane,[4] whom he has known since he was 19.[5]

Career

2009–2010: Flockaveli
Waka Flocka in 2010

Waka Flocka came to fame with his breakthrough single "O Let's Do It" in 2009,[6] which peaked at number 62 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[7] Waka Flocka is a member of 1017 Brick Squad with Gucci Mane, OJ Da Juiceman, Frenchie, and Wooh Da Kid.[8] On January 19, 2010, Malphurs was shot and robbed at a car wash in Atlanta. The bullet went through his right arm.[9][10] His debut album, Flockaveli, was released on October 1, 2010.[11] The album debuted at number six on the US Billboard 200.[12] The album was inspired by Tupac Shakur, whose final stage name and pseudonym before his death was Makaveli.[13] He was named the eighth hottest MC of 2010 by MTV.[14]

Gucci Mane fired Waka Flocka's mother as his manager. There was initially no animosity between the two rappers due to this event. In an MTV interview, both he and Waka Flocka affirmed that their relationship was, at the time, in good standing even though they no longer spoke to one another.[15] In early September, Gucci Mane was seen at Flocka's Flockaveli listening party supporting the artist.[16]

2011–2012: Ferrari Boyz and Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family

In 2011, Waka Flocka posed for a nude but not revealing picture for PETA, to boycott killing animals and wearing fur. The picture says "ink not mink".[17] Waka Flocka released several mixtapes in 2011, including Salute Me or Shoot Me 3, Benjamin Flocka and his last Twin Towers 2 (No Fly Zone) with fellow rapper Slim Dunkin.[18][19][20] On August 9, 2011, his collaborative album with Gucci Mane, titled Ferrari Boyz, was released.[21] The first single was "She Be Puttin On", featuring the now deceased Slim Dunkin, who was shot at an Atlanta recording studio while shooting a music video.[22]

"Round of Applause", featuring Canadian rapper Drake, was released on October 14, 2011[23] as the first single from his second studio album, Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family. It was produced by frequent collaborator, Lex Luger. The album itself was released on June 8, 2012.[24]

2013–present: Flockaveli 2
Waka Flocka Flame in 2014

On January 22, 2013, Waka Flocka announced that he has completed his third studio album, titled Flockaveli 2. He revealed the album will feature guest appearances from Timbaland and Wyclef Jean. Also the album will be mainly produced by longtime producers of 808 Mafia, Lex Luger, Southside, TM88 and more.[25] On February 5, 2013, Waka Flocka released his mixtape DuFlocka Rant 2 with guest appearances from Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne, French Montana, Ace Hood and Young Scooter, among others.[26] On May 9, 2013, he released a sequel, titled DuFlocka Rant: Halftime Show which features fellow Southern rapper T.I..[27] Flockaveli 2 was then rescheduled for release in early 2014,[28] and on October 4, 2013, Flocka released another mixtape From Roaches to Rollies.[29] On October 31, 2013, Waka Flocka confirmed that Ne-Yo and Drake would be featured on Flockaveli 2.[30]

On March 21, 2014, Waka Flocka released a mixtape entitled Re-Up.[31][32] In a July 2014 interview with XXL Waka Flocka confirmed producers on the album will include 808 Mafia, Lex Luger, Mike Will Made-It and Black Metaphor. He also announced a new EDM album titled Turn Up God to be released in late 2014.[33] On July 14, 2014 Waka Flocka would release a mixtape entitled I Can't Rap Vol. 1.[34][35] On November 10, 2014 Waka Flocka released the front cover art for Flockaveli 2.[36][37]

In 2014, Waka Flocka appeared in the third season of the VH1 show Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta. The show loosely follows events in the life of Waka Flocka and his wife, Tammy Rivera. On September 23, 2014, the couple announced that they would be starring in their own spin-off, Meet the Flockas.[38]

On March 2, 2015, Waka Flocka released a collaboration mixtape with DJ Whoo Kid entitled The Turn Up Godz Tour, with guest appearances from Future, Howard Stern, Machine Gun Kelly, Offset, Cash Out, Bobby V, Gucci Mane, Tony Yayo, and Watch The Duck.[39][40] On April 1, 2015 Waka Flocka released the mixtape Salute Me Or Shoot Me 5, with guest appearances from Future, Yo Gotti and Juvenile.[41][42][43] Waka Flock released another mixtape, titled Flockaveli 1.5, on November 25, 2015.[44]

In April 2015 Waka Flocka did a collaboration campaign with Rolling Stone magazine[45] in which he pretended to run for president. Although he was 7 years too young to be considered president,[46] the campaign, directed by Sam Lipman Stern of Live from the Streets,[47] went viral and was picked up by dozens of media outlets such as CNN, La Times, Washington Post[48] and many more.

On January 3, 2011, Waka Flocka turned himself in to authorities in Atlanta following a previous raid on his home. He was booked on possession of marijuana, hydrocodone, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and violation of probation for driving on a suspended license.[49] On January 5, 2011, he was released after posting bail.[50]

On October 10, 2014, Waka Flocka was arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport when a security scan turned up a loaded handgun in his luggage. He was released two hours later.[51][52]

Controversy

On March 15, 2013, Gucci Mane announced that frequent collaborator and close friend Waka Flocka Flame was "dropped" from 1017 Brick Squad Records. The two rappers proceeded to throw insults back and forth on Twitter.[53] Though it was reported that Gucci's Twitter account was hacked, Waka stated, "Dont let da media fool u. This shit real Shawty."[54] On March 27, 2013, during an MTV Jams interview with Sway Calloway, Waka explained that he would never do music nor business with Gucci ever again. Neither of the rappers have explained where the controversy originated from. Waka has stated, "I guess we both be at the finish line we just going our own routes. That's all I can say. What's the reason? Sometimes it's none of your fuckin' business what's the reason. Just understand two men went they own ways but it's no problem."[55] In October 2013, Waka Flocka released a diss track towards Gucci Mane titled "Ice Cream".[56]

On November 19, 2013, it was revealed Gucci Mane had filed a lawsuit against Waka Flocka Flame, Waka's mother Debra Antney, OJ Da Juiceman, rapper Khia Stone and producer Zaytoven. The lawsuit accuses the parties of fraud, racketeering, and breach of contract. According to Gucci Mane, Waka's mother Antney took control of his 1017 Brick Squad Records, LLC., without permission, and used it to create three separate offshoot labels. Gucci also accused the parties in the lawsuit of withholding royalties and inflating the cost of label expenditures.[57] In his lawsuit, Gucci Mane also says that Antney took more than the typical 20 percent management fee. Gucci Mane also alleges that Antney's actions led to his having money and tax problems.[58]

Waka Flocka Flame would post a tweet on September 20, 2014 to his verified Twitter account that included an old picture of himself and Gucci Mane with the caption "… #NoBeef ", confirming that the two had buried the hatchet.[59]

In a February 2017 BBC Radio interview, Waka Flocka addressed his relationship with Gucci Mane, questioning his former mentor's street credibility and nixing the possibility of a Brick Squad reunion.[60] Several days later, Waka released "Was My Dawg", a diss track aimed at Gucci Mane, with cover art featuring the other rapper's silhouette.[61][62]

Personal life
Waka Flocka with his wife Tammy Rivera and their daughter Charlie

Waka Flocka is of African American, Native American, European (including Italian) and Dominican descent.[63]

In December 2013, Waka Flocka's younger brother and fellow rapper KayO Redd committed suicide at his home in Henry County, Georgia.[64][65][66] On January 24, 2014, during an interview, Waka Flocka spoke on his brother's passing:

After that situation I detoxed for like seven days. I changed my diet. I became 85% vegan. I just felt like I had to cleanse myself... I've been through that before, so to me that's willpower because if I sit there and mope, a lot of things could go bad. That boy had a lot of stress on him. It's a lot of things that go on behind doors that people don't know about... like it's a lot of stress that come with this game. The strong survive. The family is good, though. Life goes on. That's the motto for me, life goes on. If my eyes ain't closed and I'm not breathing, I'm not hurting.[67][68]

On May 25, 2014, Waka Flocka married Tammy Rivera.[69][70]

Waka Flocka is a passionate supporter of Atlanta United FC, regularly attending games in Atlanta, traveling to away games, and serving as a team ambassador.[71]

Discography
Main article: Waka Flocka Flame discography

Filmography
Television
Year Film Role
2014 Black Dynamite Waka Blocka Blaow
2014; 2016–present Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta Supporting Role
2017 FishCenter Live[73] Supporting Role
2019 Marriage Boot Camp: Hip Hop Edition Season 14 [74] Supporting Role
2019 Waka and Tammy Tie the Knot [75] Starring Role
2019 Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta Season 3 [76] [77] Supporting Role
2020 Waka & Tammy: What The Flocka [78] Starring Role

Awards and nominations
Year Awards Category Nominated work Result
2010 BET Hip Hop Awards Rookie of the Year — Nominated
Best Club Banger "O Let’s Do It" Nominated
2011 BET Awards Best Collaboration "No Hands" (with Roscoe Dash and Wale) Nominated
BET Hip Hop Awards Best Club Banger Won
2015 Much Music Video Awards EDM/Dance Video of the Year "Beast" (with Mia Martina) Nominated
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References
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