WAKA FLOCKA FLAME
Juaquin James Malphurs[1] (born May 31, 1986), known professionally as Waka Flocka Flame, is an American rapper. He first became known for his 2009 single "O Let's Do It", which entered the Billboard Hot 100 and led him to sign with Gucci Mane's 1017 Records, an imprint of Warner Records that same year. His 2010 follow-up single, "No Hands" (featuring Roscoe Dash and Wale), reached number 13 on the chart and received diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Both songs, along with "Hard in da Paint" and "Grove St. Party" (featuring Kebo Gotti), preceded the release of his debut studio album Flockaveli (2010), which peaked at number six on the Billboard 200. His second studio album, Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family (2012) peaked at number ten on the chart and was supported by the singles "Round of Applause" (featuring Drake), "I Don't Really Care" (featuring Trey Songz) and "Get Low" (featuring Tyga, Nicki Minaj and Flo Rida).
Early life
Malphurs was born in South Jamaica, Queens, New York City. His family ultimately 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 2005 when he was 19.[5]
Career
2009–2010: Flockaveli
In January 2009, Malphurs released his debut mixtape, Salute Me or Shoot Me.[6][7] The mixtape contained the song "O Let's Do It", which was released as a commercial single in April of that year. After which, the song was re-recorded and the guest performer was changed. The song was produced by L-Don Beatz. By November 2009, he was signed to Gucci Mane's record label 1017 Records, along with fellow Georgia-based rapper OJ Da Juiceman, his cousin Frenchie,[8] and his brother Wooh Da Kid.[9][10] On January 19, 2010, Malphurs was shot and robbed at a car wash in his Atlanta hometown; a bullet went through his right arm.[11][12] Following this, "O Let's Do It" debuted at number 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 2010, and peaked at number 62 on the chart by April.[13][14][15] Throughout that year, he released the singles "Hard In Da Paint", "Grove St. Party", and "No Hands". The latter two entered the Billboard Hot 100—the latter at number 13—while each promoted the release of his debut studio album, Flockaveli on October 1, 2010.[16] The album debuted at number six on the US Billboard 200 and received positive critical reception.[17] Its title was inspired by Tupac Shakur, whose final stage name and pseudonym before his death was Makaveli.[18] Malphurs was listed at number eight on MTV's Hottest MCs in the Game Annual List in 2010.[19]
2011–2012: Ferrari Boyz and Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family
In 2011, Malphurs posed for a nude but not explicit promotional photo for PETA, to boycott killing animals and wearing fur. The picture reads "ink not mink".[20] Malphurs 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.[21][22][23] On August 9, 2011, his collaborative album with Gucci Mane, Ferrari Boyz was released.[24] The first single was "She Be Puttin On", featuring Slim Dunkin, who was fatally shot the following year.[25]
"Round of Applause", featuring Canadian rapper Drake, was released on October 14, 2011[26] 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 was released on June 8, 2012 and saw a critical and commercial decline from his debut.[27]
2013–present: Flockaveli 2
On January 22, 2013, Malphurs announced that he had completed his third studio album, titled Flockaveli 2, featuring guest appearances by Timbaland and Wyclef Jean.[28] On May 21, 2013, he gave a release date of October 5, 2013; in June, he gave a new date of January 2014.[29] In July 2014, he named producers on the album;[30] in November the front cover art was released.[31][32] In January 2020, he announced that he'd release his last album that year;[33] Flockaveli 2 was not released in 2020.
In February 2013, he released the mixtape DuFlocka Rant 2, with guest appearances by Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne, French Montana, Ace Hood and Young Scooter.[34] A sequel followed in May, DuFlocka Rant: Halftime Show, featuring fellow Southern rapper T.I.[35] In October, he released a third mixtape, From Roaches to Rollies.[36]
In 2014, he released two mixtapes, Re-Up in March[37][38] and I Can't Rap Vol. 1 in July.[39][40] Also in July, he announced an EDM album, Turn Up God, to be released later in the year; it was not.[30]
In 2014, Malphurs 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 ex-wife, Tammy Rivera. In 2019, he rekindled with his childhood sweetheart and did a re-commitment ceremony in 2022, to actress, Andrea-rachel parker[41]
On March 2, 2015, Malphurs released a collaboration mixtape with DJ Whoo Kid, 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.[42][43] On April 1, 2015, Malphurs released the mixtape Salute Me Or Shoot Me 5, with guest appearances from Future, Yo Gotti and Juvenile.[44][45][46] Malphurs released his Flockaveli 1.5 mixtape on November 25, 2015.[47]
In April 2015, Malphurs hosted a collaborative campaign with Rolling Stone magazine[48] in which he pretended to run for president. Although he was seven years too young to be considered president,[49] the campaign, directed by Sam Lipman-Stern of Live from the Streets,[50] went viral and was picked up by media outlets such as CNN, Los Angeles Times, and The Washington Post, among others.[51][52]
Personal Life
Waka Flocka went vegan,[53] in 2017, after the passing of his younger brother kayyo red. Waka Flocka is an avid pokemon collector. in, 2019, waka flocka found his childhood sweetheart, actress andrea-rachel parker, and in 2022 the pair, did a commitment ceremony, solidifying their spousal forever bond. [54][55]
Filmography
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Mollywood | Bijou | supporting, cameo |
| 2020 | True to the game | Reddz | supporting, cameo |
| 2024 | robin hoods | waka | Lead |
References
- ↑ Waka Flocka Flame is a Product – Page Template:Webarchive. Interview Magazine. Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
- ↑ Waka Flocka Flame Biography, allmusic.com. Accessed November 6, 2010.}
- ↑ Julia Beverly,Scam Afta Scam, Ozone, December 2009. Accessed December 1, 2009.}
- ↑ Template:Cite magazine
- ↑ Waka Flocka Flame Says He's Crafting Rap Skills On "Ferrari Boyz", HipHop DX, July 30, 2011. Accessed April 9, 2012.}
- ↑ Salute Me or Shoot Me 1 - Waka Flocka Flame, AllMusic.}
- ↑ Waka Flocka Flame Talks 'O Let's Do It,' Reveals Future Collaborations, Hiphopdx.com, March 9, 2010.}
- ↑ Frenchie Biography & History, AllMusic. Accessed September 8, 2018.}
- ↑ Wooh Da Kid on HotNewHipHop.com, HNHH, October 18, 2011.}
- ↑ Waka Flocka Flame Shot, MTV. Accessed January 20, 2010.}
- ↑ Exclusive: Waka Flocka Flame Nearly 'Gave Up' After Being Shot – Music, Celebrity, Artist News, MTV, February 4, 2010. Accessed September 27, 2010.}
- ↑ Template:Cite magazine
- ↑ Billboard Hot 100, Billboard.com, January 2, 2013.}
- ↑ Template:Cite magazine
- ↑ Shaheem Reid. "OJ Da Juiceman Reveals Mixtape With Gucci Mane, Waka Flocka Flame" Template:Webarchive, MTV, November 10, 2009.
- ↑ iTunes – Music – Flockaveli (Deluxe Version) by Waka Flocka Flame, iTunes, October 1, 2010. Accessed October 19, 2013.}
- ↑ Template:Cite magazine
- ↑ Cyrus Langhorne,Waka Flocka Flame Apologizes to 2Pac Fans Over "Flockaveli" Debut Title, SOHH.com, September 17, 2010. Accessed December 29, 2012.}
- ↑ MTV Specials – Hottest – Mc, Mtv.com. Accessed April 9, 2012.}
- ↑ Template:Cite magazine
- ↑ Waka Flocka & Slim Dunkin – Twin Towers 2: No Fly Zone Hosted by DJ Spinz, DJ Teknikz & DJ Kash // Free Mixtape @, Datpiff.com. Accessed October 19, 2013.}
- ↑ Waka Flocka – Salute Me Or Shoot Me 3 Hosted by Trap-A-Holics & DJ Holiday // Free Mixtape @, Datpiff.com, February 19, 2011. Accessed October 19, 2013.}
- ↑ Waka Flocka – Benjamin Flocka Hosted by DJ Teknikz & Love Dinero // Free Mixtape @, Datpiff.com. Accessed October 19, 2013.}
- ↑ iTunes – Music – Ferrari Boyz (Deluxe Version) by Gucci Mane & Waka Flocka Flame, iTunes, August 5, 2011. Accessed October 19, 2013.}
- ↑ Rapper Slim Dunkin slain in music studio, Theage.com.au, December 19, 2011. Accessed April 9, 2012.}
- ↑ iTunes – Music – Round of Applause (feat. Drake) – Single by Waka Flocka Flame, iTunes, October 14, 2011. Accessed October 19, 2013.}
- ↑ iTunes – Music – Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family (Deluxe Version) by Waka Flocka Flame, iTunes, June 8, 2012. Accessed October 19, 2013.}
- ↑ Waka Flocka Reveals New Album Title, MTV, January 22, 2013. Accessed August 18, 2013.}
- ↑ Waka Flocka Flame Delays "Flockaveli 2" Until 2014, Confirms Producers, HipHop DX, July 24, 2013. Accessed October 19, 2013.}
- ↑ 30.0 30.1 Template:Cite magazine
- ↑ Waka Flocka Reveals "Flockaveli 2" Artwork, Hotnewhiphop.com, November 10, 2014. Accessed April 23, 2015.}
- ↑ Waka Flocka Flame "Flockaveli 2" Release Date, Cover Art & Tracklisting, HipHopDX.com, February 10, 2015. Accessed April 23, 2015.}
- ↑ Victoria Moorwood,Waka Flocka Flame announces last album dropping this year, January 22, 2020. Accessed October 23, 2020.}
- ↑ Template:Cite news
- ↑ Waka Flocka – DuFlocka Rant: Halftime Show Hosted by DJ Love Dinero // Free Mixtape @ Template:Webarchive. Datpiff.com. Retrieved on August 18, 2013.
- ↑ Waka Flocka – From Roaches To Rollies Hosted by DJ Scream Mixtape – Stream & Download, Datpiff.com. Accessed April 23, 2015.}
- ↑ Waka Flocka – Re-up Mixtape – Stream & Download, Datpiff.com, March 21, 2014. Accessed April 23, 2015.}
- ↑ Waka Flocka – Re-Up | Download & Listen [New Mixtape], Hotnewhiphop.com, March 22, 2014. Accessed April 23, 2015.}
- ↑ Waka Flocka – I Can't Rap Vol. 1 Hosted by DJ Whoo Kid Mixtape – Stream & Download, Datpiff.com, July 14, 2014. Accessed April 23, 2015.}
- ↑ Waka Flocka – I Can't Rap Vol. 1 | Download & Listen [New Mixtape], Hotnewhiphop.com, July 15, 2014. Accessed April 23, 2015.}
- ↑ wakahidingnewpartner, darylnelson, hiphoplately.}
- ↑ Waka Flocka – The Turn Up Godz Tour Hosted by DJ Whoo Kid Mixtape – Stream & Download, Datpiff.com. Accessed April 23, 2015.}
- ↑ Waka Flocka – The Turn Up Godz Tour Feat. DJ Whoo Kid | Download & Listen [New Mixtape], Hotnewhiphop.com, March 3, 2015. Accessed April 23, 2015.}
- ↑ Waka Flocka – Salute Me Or Shoot Me 5 Mixtape – Stream & Download, Datpiff.com. Accessed April 23, 2015.}
- ↑ Waka Flocka – Salute Me Or Shoot Me 5 | Download & Listen [New Mixtape], Hotnewhiphop.com, April 2, 2015. Accessed April 23, 2015.}
- ↑ Waka Flocka Flame and DJ Whoo Kid Release 'Salute Me Or Shoot Me 5', Complex.com, April 2, 2015. Accessed April 23, 2015.}
- ↑ Waka Flocka Flame and DJ Whoo Kid Release 'Salute Me Or Shoot Me 5', Pitchfork, November 25, 2015. Accessed December 8, 2015.}
- ↑ Template:Cite magazine
- ↑ 7 years too young, April 23, 2015.}
- ↑ Sam Lipman-Stern website with Waka Flocka link.}
- ↑ Template:Cite news
- ↑ Waka Flocka Flame, Discogs.}
- ↑ waka flocka vegan, wrtr, peta.}
- ↑ andrearachel and waka dating, wrter, urbangirl.}
- ↑ andrea callswaka her partner, wrtr, womansweek.}