Juaquin Malphurs (born May 31, 1986), better known by his stage name
Waka Flocka Flame,[2] is an American rapper signed to 1017 Brick
Squad and Warner Bros. He is a Southern hip hop artist best known
for his crunk, gangsta sound and single "No Hands" along
with his debut album, Flockaveli.
Juaquin Malphurs was born in Jamaica, Queens, New York City in 1986.
His family eventually settled in Riverdale, Georgia.[3] He is the
son of Debra Antney, Gucci Mane's former manager and CEO of So Icey/Mizay
Entertainment.[4] 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.[5]
2009-present: Flockaveli
Waka Flocka Flame came to fame with his breakthrough single "O
Let's Do It" in 2009. Waka Flocka Flame is a member of the 1017
Brick Squad with Gucci Mane, OJ Da Juiceman, Frenchie, and Wooh Da
Kid.[6] On January 19, 2010, Malphurs was shot and robbed at a car
wash in Atlanta. The bullet went through his right arm.[7][8] He
is currently preparing his debut album and multiple mixtapes with
Brick Squad.[9] His debut single is called "O Let's Do It",[10]
which peaked at #62 on the Billboard Hot 100. His debut album, Flockaveli
was released on October 5, 2010. He was featured on Lil Jon's album
Crunk Rock on the track "Throw It Up, Pt. 2 (Remix)". The
album debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200. He was named the eighth
hottest MC of 2010 by MTV.[11] Waka started a rap super-group named
Desperados which features Nipsey Hussle, Maino, Wiz Khalifa, Uncle
Murda and Ra Diggs.[12]
Gucci Mane fired Debra Antney as his manager. Despite rumors, there
is no animosity between the two rappers due to this event. In a MTV
interview, both Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame affirmed that their
relationship is in good standing even though they no longer speak.[13]
In early September however, Gucci Mane was shown at Flocka's Flockaveli
listening party supporting his artist.