Waka Flocka, born Joaquin James Malphurs on May 31, 1986, in New York, spent much of his childhood growing up in Georgia. Raised in an upper-middle-class family, his mother, Debra Antney, was already involved in the music industry, serving as CEO of the prominent artist management company Mizay Entertainment. Despite her connections, Waka Flocka initially showed little interest in music, preferring to focus on basketball.
Turning to Music
Although his family had resources, Waka Flocka still became involved in gang-related activities, especially after the tragic passing of his older brother in a car accident. By the age of 14, he began developing an interest in music. A pivotal moment came when he saw Gucci Mane perform, who at the time was managed by his mother.
Inspired by this, Waka Flocka started writing his own raps and collaborated with local producer Tay Beatz to create his first mixtape. His stage name came soon after; his cousin nicknamed him “Waka” after a character from The Muppets, and Gucci Mane later added “Flocka Flame.”
Personal Life
In 2014, Waka Flocka married Tammy Rivera, opting for matching tattoos on their fingers instead of traditional wedding rings. Rivera has a daughter from a previous marriage, whom Waka has since raised as his own.
Early Career and Breakthrough
In 2008, Waka Flocka released his first mixtape, Salute Me or Shoot Me Vol. 1, which included the moderately successful hit “O Let’s Do It.” While he didn’t achieve instant stardom, his talent and potential were evident.
Gucci Mane, a longtime family friend, recognized this potential and soon welcomed Waka into his “1017 Brick Squad.” Under Gucci Mane’s guidance, Waka Flocka continued to develop his skills and gain industry experience.
Debut Album: Flockaveli
By 2010, Waka Flocka was ready for his debut album, Flockaveli, named in homage to Tupac Shakur’s alter ego, Makaveli. This album marked a breakthrough in his career, debuting at number six on the Billboard Hot 200 and receiving positive reviews, solidifying his place in the hip-hop scene.
Collaboration with Gucci Mane
Gucci Mane began to see Waka as an established artist, and they soon collaborated on a joint album. Some mistakenly believed their relationship soured due to Gucci’s decision to part ways with Waka Flocka’s mother professionally, but this happened well before they began working on their collaborative album. In 2011, their album Ferrari Boyz was released, marking the start of a productive musical partnership.
Solo Success and Triple F Life
Following his collaboration with Gucci, Waka Flocka released his second solo album, Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family. By this time, he had become a prominent figure in the industry, attracting big names like Drake, Nicki Minaj, Ludacris, and Meek Mill for collaborations on this album.
Although he announced Flockaveli 2 soon after, fans waited years for its release, which finally happened in 2013 after multiple mixtapes kept the anticipation alive.
Later Years and Retirement from Rap
Waka Flocka continued contributing to hip-hop, collaborating with various artists and dropping more mixtapes. However, in 2018, he announced his retirement, later commenting that he saw himself as “a wack rapper,” marking the end of his music career.
Television and Reality Show Fame
Waka Flocka and Tammy Rivera appeared in Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta season three, where they gained popularity. In 2014, the couple earned their spin-off, Meet the Flockas, giving fans an inside look at their lives.
Legal Issues and Controversies
After his rise to fame, Waka faced several controversies. In 2010, he was shot twice during an attempted robbery, and in 2011, authorities raided his home, finding drugs and a firearm. In 2014, he was arrested for attempting to bring a loaded firearm into an international airport.
Feud and Reconciliation with Gucci Mane
In 2013, Waka Flocka and Gucci Mane stopped working together, ending their partnership without publicly sharing the reasons. After years of tension, the two later reconciled to some extent, putting their feud behind them.
Waka Flocka Net Worth
Waka Flocka Flame is an American rapper who has a net worth of $7 million. Waka Flocka Flame is known for his solo career with multiple hits and his collaborations with other well-known rappers such as Gucci Mane. Outside of music, Waka Flocka is known for appearing on various reality television shows.
