Waka Flocka Flame

Waka Flocka Flame
Waka Flocka performing at the London Hall in London, England on August 6, 2014
Background information
Birth name	Juaquin James Malphurs^[1]
Born	(1986-05-31) May 31, 1986 South Jamaica, Queens, New York, U.S.
Origin	Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop
Years active	2008–present
Labels	Brick Squad Monopoly, 1017 Brick Squad, Atlantic (current) Asylum, Warner Bros. (former)
Associated acts	1017 Brick Squad, Gucci Mane, Travis Porter, French Montana
Website	www.wakaflockabsm.com

Juaquin James Malphurs (born May 31, 1986), better known by his stage name Waka Flocka Flame or simply Waka Flocka, is an American rapper from Atlanta, Georgia. 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", the latter of which peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100. His debut studio album Flockaveli, was later released in 2010. His second studio album Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family was released on June 8, 2012 and was preceded by the lead single "Round of Applause".

Biography

1986–2008: Early life and career beginnings

Juaquin Malphurs was born in South Jamaica, Queens, New York, in 1986. His family eventually settled in Riverdale, Georgia, in the Atlanta area.^[2] He is the son of Debra Antney, Gucci Mane's former manager and CEO of So Icey/Mizay Entertainment.^[3] The name "Waka" was given to him by his cousin, after the Muppets character Fozzie Bear's catch phrase, "Waka Waka". The name "Flocka Flame" was given to him by rapper Gucci Mane.^[4] Waka Flocka said that he has known Gucci Mane since he was 19.^[5]

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 is titled after the Italian political theorist Machiavelli,^[13] and inspired by Tupac Shakur, whose final stage name and pseudonym before his death was Makaveli.^[14] He was named the eighth hottest MC of 2010 by MTV.^[15]

Gucci Mane fired Debra Antney 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.^[16] In early September, Gucci Mane was seen at Flocka's Flockaveli listening party supporting the artist.^[17]

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

In 2011, Waka Flocka posed for a nude but unrevealing picture for the organization PETA, to boycott killing animals and wearing fur. The picture says "Ink not Mink".^[18] 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.^[19]^[20]^[21] On August 9, 2011, his collaborative album with Gucci Mane, titled Ferrari Boyz, was released.^[22] 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.^[23]

"Round of Applause" featuring Canadian rapper Drake, was released on October 14, 2011^[24] 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.^[25]

2013–present: Flockaveli 2

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.^[26] 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.^[27] On May 9, 2013, he released a sequel, titled DuFlocka Rant: Halftime Show which features fellow Southern rapper T.I..^[28] Flockaveli 2 was then rescheduled for release in early 2014,^[29] and on October 4, 2013, Flocka released another mixtape From Roaches to Rollies.^[30] On October 31, 2013, Waka Flocka confirmed that Ne-Yo and Drake would be featured on Flockaveli 2.^[31]

On March 21, 2014 Waka Flocka would release a mixtape entitled Re-Up.^[32]^[33] 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.^[34] On July 14, 2014 Waka Flocka would release a mixtape entitled I Can't Rap Vol. 1.^[35]^[36] On November 10, 2014 Waka Flocka released the front cover art for Flockaveli 2.^[37]^[38]

On February 9, 2015 Flocka would announced the album would be released on June 1, 2015.^[39]^[40]^[41] On March 2, 2015 Waka Flocka would release a collaboration mixtape with DJ Whoo Kid entitled The Turn Up Godz Tour, it would feature a guest appearances from Future, Howard Stern, Flosstradamus, Casino, Machine Gun Kelly, Neon Dreams, Offset, Cash Out, Bobby V, Gucci Mane, Tony Yayo & Watch The Duck.^[42]^[43] On April 1, 2015 Waka Flocka released his mixtape entitled Salute Me Or Shoot Me 5, it features guest appearances from Future, Yo Gotti & Juvenile.^[44]^[45]^[46]^[47]

Other ventures

Reality television

In 2014 Waka Flocka appeared in season 3 of the VH1 show Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta the show loosely follows events in his and current wife, Tammy Rivera's, personal lives. On September 23, 2014 it was announced that Waka Flocka and Rivera, would be starring in their own spin off of VH1's Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta entitled Meet The Flockas.^[48]

Purported 2016 Presidential Run

On April 20, 2015, Waka Flocka announced his candidacy for a U.S. Presidential run in 2016, via a video exclusive for Rolling Stone,^[49] in which he showed off a signed document to prove that he's serious. If he wins, the rapper says he will legalize marijuana, outlaw dogs (and other animals) in restaurants, and ban people with big feet from using the sidewalk.^[50] The rapper was 28 when announced his candidacy, however, and the minimum age requirement to become eligible for the presidency is 35. ^[51]

Personal life

Family

Waka Flocka is the son of Mizay Entertainment CEO Debra Antney.^[52]

December 30, 2013 it was reported that Waka Flocka's younger brother and fellow artist KayO Redd was found dead in his Henry County, Georgia home. On December 31, 2013 his death was confirmed a suicide.^[53] ^[54] ^[55] ^[56] On January 24, 2014 during an interview Waka Flocka spoke on his brother's passing stating "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 will power 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."^[57]^[58]

On May 25, 2014 Waka Flocka married his girlfriend and Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta cast mate Tammy Rivera.^[59]^[60]

Shooting

On January 21, 2010 it was reported that Waka Flocka had been shot two times after a robbery attempt at an Atlanta car wash.^[61] In a February 3, 2010 interview Waka Flocka talked about the incident stating "I was like, 'good night!' I ain’t know what to do. At first I thought it was a joke. I thought it was one of my friends playing, like, boy, you slippin'. Then the gunman said, boy, you already know what it is. You slipped. I was like, damn! I had three alternatives. Back the car up. I thought he would probably shoot me in my face. I ain’t trying to go out. I’d rather fight for my life, get shot fighting. Or I could hit him with the car on some crazy Tom Cruise-type stuff. He probably would have shot my partner, then shot the car. I’m thinking like, I don't feel like paying for this car's damage. I ain't got time for that. A third alternative was my jewelry: why not hand him my jewelry and try to get out of the car so I could have some defense? I had a ring on, a watch, my chain on and my bracelet. I took my ring and was like, 'You can get it, man.' I started getting the quick stuff off, making him feel like he’s the winner. So I took my ring off, took my bracelet off, gave it to him, took my chain off slow. He took off. I wanted to chase him so bad. It’s like taking your pride, your dignity, but it's nothing I could do. My friend, mind you, I don’t know what he was thinking. I wish he would have got out and fought with me. But shit, it's over with."^[62]^[63]

Legal issues

On January 3, 2011 Malphurs turned himself into authorities in Atlanta following a previous raid on his home. Malphurs 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.^[64] On January 5, 2011 Malphurs was released after posting bail.^[65]

On October 10, 2014 Malphurs was arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport when a security scan turned up a loaded handgun in his luggage. Malphurs was released two hours later.^[66]^[67]

Controversy

Gucci Mane

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.^[68] Though it was reported that Gucci's Twitter account was hacked, Waka stated, "Dont let da media fool u. This shit real Shawty."^[69] 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."^[70] In October 2013, Waka Flocka released a diss track towards Gucci Mane titled "Ice Cream".^[71]

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.^[72] 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.^[73]

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.^[74]