Waka Flocka Flame will perform on the Friday of Spring Weekend, Brown Concert Agency announced in a post on its blog Thursday. Though the rapper’s official website does not currently mention a concert at Brown, a Google search for his tour dates has included an April 17 appearance at Brown University since Wednesday.
This Google search also lists a 7 p.m. show time Friday. Last year, doors opened at 6:30 p.m., with Friday’s headliner, Diplo, not taking the stage until after Chance the Rapper performed.
“We’re incredibly excited to have Waka Flocka performing on Friday,” said Danny Sobor ’15, a member of BCA. “We can’t wait to release the rest of our lineup to the student body on Monday.”
The Google search results led rumors of Waka Flocka’s performance to circulate around campus before BCA provided official confirmation.
“I was so amped when I saw it on Google on Wednesday, and I had no idea it was coming at all,” said Aziz Rangwala ’17. “One of my friends from back home was looking for tours for Waka Flocka Flame in Boston and saw that he was supposed to perform at Brown and called me.”
Addressing the leak, Sobor said, “The Brick Squad cannot be contained,” referring to Waka Flocka’s label, 1017 Brick Squad.
Waka Flocka Flame, born Juaquin James Malphurs, first emerged on the music scene in 2010 with his debut album “Flockaveli,” which reached number six on the Billboard Top 200. He has released two albums since then: “Ferrari Boyz,” a collaboration with labelmate Gucci Mane, and “Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family.” In February, he announced a new album, “Flockaveli 2,” set for release June 1.
Known for his intense style of rapping and singles “Hard In Da Paint” and “No Hands,” Waka Flocka has generated mixed reactions from students on campus.
“I’m not a big fan of his music,” said Dumichel Harley ’17. “I would rather see someone like Hoodie Allen. … I would prefer someone that everybody would agree to go to even if they may not know the artist.”
Joshua Williams ’16 said he thinks Waka Flocka will “be a great fit” for Spring Weekend, adding that when he “saw someone tweet that Waka Flocka was supposed to come,” he was thrilled about the choice.
“I was really surprised and impressed that the BCA got him,” Rangwala said.
Waka Flocka Flame must follow the legacy of Chance the Rapper and Kendrick Lamar, rappers who have performed at Spring Weekend in recent years.
Students will have to wait to learn the rest of the lineup, which will be released at the BCA Speakeasy Monday night.
“It wouldn’t do the lineup justice to talk about one of our acts without getting a full picture of the rest of the artists we have booked,” Sobor said.
