Waka Flocka Flame: People Need To Stand Up
I met up with Waka Flocka Flame before his set at Bonanza Campout for a quick interview. He then proceeded to give the most energized performance of the day and beyond demolished the stage.
Waka Flocka Flame is literally one of the top reasons of how and why I got into photography almost by accident. Him and RiFF RAFF along with Van Jazmin and then Warped Tour to a certain degree for that matter; but that's another story.
I have a lot of love and respect for Waka. His music has been in my life for years ever since middle school and I remember "Grove St. Party" being one of the high school party anthems for me and my friends any time we went out. Waka was the first ever artist to wear Interracial Friends on stage during a concert and he has worn my brand on other occasions showing true support towards my message of ending racism to the best of our abilities which I beyond appreciate. He has also kept it real with me and his fans time after time. If you have ever been to a Waka Flocka Flame show then you know exactly what I'm talking about.
The love and energy at a Waka show is on another level. I have watched this artist perform 5 seperate times and I kid you not every single show I see the same things occur. One, I witnessed at least 2 people pass out from dehydration/the flame in general and they have to be carried out by security while in a daze. Two, someone always crowd surfs. And three being most important, Waka ALWAYS gets in the pit. He has always been about including his fans in the show. Dude is also in the pit for a solid amount of time. I'm talking at least 5 minutes to maybe 20 minutes the most. But I personally have never not seen Waka get in the pit at one of his shows. Spraying multiple bottles of champagne while moshing with the people... what the fuck is better than that? It's nothing but love and he wants to give nothing but love at every show.
Currently at age 31, Waka is still young but has been through a lot gaining years of knowledge. Touring the entire world and having your passport stamped multiple times a day will do that. That's why securing this interview was so important and it meant so much to me as a member of the press and as a fan. I want to personally thank Waka's manager, Quam, for setting this up and allowing me the honor to interview such a person of interest. And of course a huge shoutout to Waka for giving me time out of his day for this interview. Beyond appreciate it homie, and until our paths cross again.
May you slay, much love for the love.
So you know me, Interracial Friend - it's all about ending racism to the best of our abilities. So first and foremost I want to ask you, can we end racism? Is it possible and if so how?
Waka: Can we end racism? Not in our era. Not the way we act, not the way that people in position don't stand up. We need more people standing up. Especially more people in our youth. Especially the young white America or whoever you are it really doesn't matter, we need to stand up. We know people are being racist towards black people, it's not a fucking secret we know this. You can see a white guy robbing a bank, get on a high-speed chase, hit cars and get detained like a criminal. But you see a black guy jaywalking and get beat like an animal... now if you see that and you're not black - and you're the youth - you should stand up and say something wrong. You shouldn't be quiet and say I'ma mind my business because I don't want anyone to think of me different. Na your opinion count just like a celebrity, just like a politician, just like a cook, just like a construction worker. I think a lot of people need to voice their opinions, that's all it is.
Do you think being in the rap genre makes you a target? Have you ever experienced racism first-hand and or can you tell me about a time you experienced it on tour?
Waka: Racism don't have a level, racism don't have a kind. You know what it is when you feel it. That's like if I fly on an airplane, the first thing the white person ask me is "hey, you play football?" Because I'm big and black. So it's just how you look at it. I think it's not as much as a person being racist, it's your answer. It's as much as you show a person. I'm not gonna let nobody know that you got under my skin, but I'm going to say something clever to make you feel stupid. To let who you are as a real person stick out infront of everyone around. So I think it's your answers. You can't stop someone from being a dick. Period. You can't stop it.
I feel that. Do you think religion plays into racism?
Waka: Ummm, religion is like, it's like this right - religion is like a brand of clothes. Some people like Polo, some people don't. Some people wanna be Christian, some don't. Some wanna be Muslim or whatever they choose... I think you're wrong for saying you shouldn't be this or you shouldn't act like that; that's wrong. You shouldn't tell somebody what the fuck they should be. If they're happy and it's making them be a better person, that's good. Now if they're opposing on you're life and you're lively hood, then that's something different. To each as own. I have nothing against it, I'm not a religious man. I'm more spiritual. I'm more of a guy for energy. To me, my religion is love. If you answer shit out of love, a lot of things will change.
Thank you for your time homie, I beyond appreciate it and I'm looking forward to your set here in a few minutes!
Waka went on to give one of the best performances of the entire day featuring people moshing in sand, champagne being sprayed everywhere, and memories made in Utah. It was truly one for the books and I'm honored I was able to witness this performance. To see the entire recap of Bonanza Campout and all of the photos from this set click the publication link below. You can also go back to the"INTERVIEWS" section by clicking that link below.
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