From Jamaica, Queens, New York, but at the age of 9, relocated with his family to Riverdale, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. During his childhood, he was influenced by the streets, looking up to drug dealers as role models. A unique and undeniable talent emerges in the music industry. Juaquin Malphurs, AKA Waka Flocka Flame, known also as Waka Flocka, and Flocka for short. Call him whatever you want, but you’re guaranteed not to forget his name – any of them. The preceding name, Waka, which was given to him by rapper and mentor Gucci Mane –is a short of his real name, Juaquin. Flocka is an interpretation of the Spanish word “flaca,” which means thin or skinny, which is a description and nickname from his childhood. The surname, Flame, encompasses Waka’s ability to deliver hot lyrics like fiery flames from the mouth of a dragon. Over a decade later after moving to Riverdale, Waka met local rapper Gucci Mane, and was signed to his So Icey Entertainment record label. Waka's debut mixtape, Salute Me or Shoot Me quickly became a favorite of the streets. Soon after, he released the single "O Let's Do It" which has peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot Rap Tracks. Flocka is currently preparing his debut album, Murda-Man Flocka, set to be released some time in 2010, as well as mixtapes with his group, 1017 Brick Squad, and Atlanta rap trio Travis Porter. Existing in a facet of Hip Hop that is all his own, Waka has branded his own genre of music. “I grew up with my mom listening to Run DMC. I take that influence and blend it with my generational vibe, then lay it over a southern track. That’s how I make flocka music.” Reminiscent of the rawness of NWA and Wu-Tang Clan, mixed with the southern influences of Gucci Mane and Lil’ John, flocka music embodies elements of both Rock and Hip Hop music. At 23 years of age, Waka is a solo artist, and the youngest member of the So Icey Boyz – a popular Atlanta-based rap group signed to Gucci Mane’s So Icey Entertainment/1017 Brick Squad, which he joined in 2004. Waka’s solo efforts include street albums such as Salute Me or Shoot Me Vol. 1, Twin Towers, and Shootin’ the Breeze Cookin’ that Fire. He has also appeared on industry DVD’s from Hood Affairs and The Come Up to Smack DVD, Night Life and Raw Report – to name a few. Waka is consistently booking paid performances and appearances in cities across the Southeast. “I started booking paid shows 7 months after I did my first mixtape,” remembers Waka. Now, with hit songs like “O, Let’s Do It,” his career is gaining unstoppable momentum and taking the independent industry by storm. With a plan to infiltrate the industry, Waka has set a professional goal to release twenty street albums by 2011. In addition to performing regularly across the country, he is simultaneously in the studio recording music. Slated for upcoming release are Salute Me or Shoot Me, Volumes 2 and 3. Waka Flocka Flame is managed by Gucci Mane and Debra Antney, of Mizay Entertainment. Waka is also signed to Warner Bros. Records, and Gucci Mane's other lable Brick Squad Records. [edit] Mixtapes Salute Me or Shoot Me (2009) Salute Me or Shoot Me 2 (2009) Salute Me or Shoot Me 2.5 (2009) Streets R Us, With Travis Porter (2009) Twin Towers, With Slim Duncan (2009) Shootin' the Breeze Cookin' that Fire (2009) LeBron Flocka James (2009) The First 48 (2009) A B C Rapping THA Eps (2009) So Much Money (with 1071 Brick Suqad) (2009) Free Gucci(with ZayTovne) (TBA)