Juaquin James Malphurs[1] (born May 31, 1986), known professionally as Waka Flocka Flame, is an American rapper from Atlanta, Georgia.

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.

[21] In 2011, Malphurs posed for a nude but not explicit promotional photo for PETA, to boycott killing animals and wearing fur.

[22] 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.

[27] "Round of Applause", featuring Canadian rapper Drake, was released on October 14, 2011[28] as the first single from his second studio album, Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family.

[29] 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.

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.

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.

Although he was seven years too young to be considered president,[50] the campaign, directed by Sam Lipman-Stern of Live from the Streets,[51] went viral and was picked up by media outlets such as CNN, Los Angeles Times, and The Washington Post, among others.

[55] On March 15, 2013, Gucci Mane announced that frequent collaborator and close friend Waka Flocka Flame was "dropped" from 1017 Brick Squad Records.

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.

[61] 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.

[62] In a February 2017 BBC Radio interview, Waka Flocka addressed his relationship with Gucci Mane, questioning his former mentor's street credibility and nixing the possibility of a Brick Squad reunion.

[63] Several days later, Waka released "Was My Dawg", a diss track aimed at Gucci Mane, with cover art featuring the other rapper's silhouette.

[66] In December 2013, Malphurs' younger brother and fellow rapper KayO Redd (1987–2013) committed suicide at his home in Henry County, Georgia.

[75] 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.

[79][80] 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 platform included legalizing marijuana, raising the minimum hourly wage to $15, and creating better trade opportunities for school students.

His other proposals included banning dogs from restaurants and making it illegal for people with shoe sizes above 13 to walk on the street.

[87] During a July 2024 concert in Salt Lake City, Utah, Malphurs told concertgoers to leave the venue if they supported Joe Biden.

[91] On October 10, 2014, Waka Flocka was arrested at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport when a security scan turned up a loaded handgun in his luggage.