Waka Flocka Flame, an Atlanta-based artist, emerged as one of the most prominent figures in commercial rap during the late aughts and early 2010s. His breakthrough came with the hit song ‘O Let’s Do It’ in 2009, a collaboration with producer L-Don Beatz that skyrocketed to the Top 20 of the Billboard R&B/hip-hop chart. This success paved the way for his album ‘Flockaveli’ in 2010, which boasted popular tracks like ‘Hard in da Paint’ and ‘No Hands,’ both quickly earning RIAA certifications. Following a joint project with Gucci Mane titled ‘Ferrari Boyz’ in 2011, Waka Flocka achieved another hit album, ‘Triple F Life: Friends, Fans, and Family,’ in 2012. Since then, he has delighted fans with numerous mixtape releases, exploring diverse styles including a foray into EDM.
Born Juaquin James Malphurs in the South Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, New York City, Waka Flocka Flame relocated to Riverdale, Georgia, at the age of nine. Bestowed with his nickname ‘Waka’ by his cousin and later ‘Flocka Flame’ by Gucci Mane, he established himself as a renowned rapper in Atlanta, guided by his affiliation with Gucci Mane’s Brick Squad collective. Waka Flocka’s musical journey commenced in 2009 with the release of several mixtapes, leading to his notable chart success with ‘O Let’s Do It.’ His debut album ‘Flockaveli’ in 2010 debuted impressively on the Billboard 200 chart, spawning hits like ‘Hard in da Paint’ and ‘No Hands,’ the latter achieving triple platinum status. Collaborations with prominent artists and continuous chart-topping releases solidified Waka Flocka’s presence in the hip-hop scene.