Waka Flocka Flame facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Waka Flocka Flame
Waka Flocka Flame performing in 2016
Background information
Birth name	Juaquin James Malphurs
Born	(1986-05-31) May 31, 1986 (age 37) New York City, U.S.
Origin	Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop trap
Occupation(s)	Rapper songwriter
Years active	2008–present
Labels	36 Brick House Dusk Til Dawn E1 Brick Squad Monopoly 1017 Brick Squad Asylum Warner Bros. RBC Mizay So Icey
Associated acts	Frenchie French Montana Gucci Mane Lex Luger Southside Travis Porter Young Scooter Zaytoven

Juaquin James Malphurs (born May 31, 1986), known professionally 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" (featuring Roscoe Dash and Wale), 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" (featuring Drake).

Early life

Malphurs was born in South Jamaica, Queens, New York City. His family eventually settled in Riverdale, Georgia. His mother, Debra Antney, is rapper Gucci Mane's former manager and the CEO of So Icey/Mizay Entertainment. 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, whom he has known since he was 19.

Career

2009–2010: Flockaveli

Waka Flocka in 2010

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

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. In early September, Gucci Mane was seen at Flocka's Flockaveli listening party supporting the artist.

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

..... The picture says "ink not mink". 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. On August 9, 2011, his collaborative album with Gucci Mane, titled Ferrari Boyz, was released. 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.

"Round of Applause", featuring Canadian rapper Drake, was released on October 14, 2011 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.

2013–present: Flockaveli 2

Waka Flocka Flame in 2014

On January 22, 2013, Waka Flocka announced that he had completed his third studio album, titled Flockaveli 2, featuring guest appearances by Timbaland and Wyclef Jean. On May 21, 2013, he gave a release date of October 5, 2013; in June he gave a new date of January 2014. In July 2014 he named producers on the album; in November the front cover art was released. In January 2020 he announced that he'd release his last album that year; Flockaveli 2 was not released in 2020.

In February 2013 he released DuFlocka Rant 2, a mixtape with guest appearances by Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne, French Montana, Ace Hood and Young Scooter. A sequel followed in May, DuFlocka Rant: Halftime Show, featuring fellow Southern rapper T.I. In October he released a third mixtape, From Roaches to Rollies.

In 2014 he released two mixtaps, Re-Up in March and I Can't Rap Vol. 1 in July. Also in July he announced a new EDM album, Turn Up God, to be released later in the year; it was not.

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 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. On April 1, 2015, Waka Flocka released the mixtape Salute Me Or Shoot Me 5, with guest appearances from Future, Yo Gotti and Juvenile. Waka Flock released another mixtape, titled Flockaveli 1.5, on November 25, 2015.

In April 2015, Waka Flocka did a collaboration campaign with Rolling Stone magazine in which he pretended to run for president. Although he was seven years too young to be considered president, the campaign, directed by Sam Lipman-Stern of Live from the Streets, went viral and was picked up by dozens of media outlets such as CNN, LA Times, and The Washington Post, among others.

Personal life

Waka Flocka with his wife Tammy Rivera and their daughter Charlie

Malphurs is of African American, Native American, European (including Italian) and Dominican descent.

.....

On May 25, 2014, Malphurs married actress Tammy Rivera, also becoming the stepfather to her child.

Malphurs is a passionate supporter of Atlanta United FC, regularly attending games in Atlanta, traveling to away games, and serving as a team ambassador.

On October 3, 2020, Malphurs received an honorary doctorate in philanthropy and humanitarianism from the Bible Institute of America Theological Seminary, credited to his charity and mental health advocacy.

Politics

In April 2015, Malphurs announced that he was running for president, despite the fact he was below the constitutionally required age of 35, as he was only 30 by the time of the 2016 United States presidential election. ..... His other proposals included banning dogs from restaurants and making it illegal for people with shoe sizes above 13 to walk on the street. He also seemed to be dismissive of Congress, and had an anti-war stance. Former professional wrestler Ric Flair was his running mate.

Malphurs has received attention for his views on political and social issues. In addition to his humanitarianism, he has been awarded with an honorary professor degree from the Bible Institute of America. He expressed affinity for U.S. President Donald Trump in 2020, endorsed Democratic incumbent Raphael Warnock for the 2022 United States Senate election in Georgia, and formally endorsed Trump for the 2024 United States presidential election. In 2021, the Trump Administration awarded Malphurs a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with the Chicago-based non-profit, Daughter of Destiny.

Discography

• Flockaveli (2010)
• Ferrari Boyz (with Gucci Mane) (2011)
• Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family (2012)

Filmography

Awards and nominations

See also

• List of animal rights advocates