Now that rapper Juaquin ‘Waka Flocka’ Malphurs has an honorary doctorate degree, the world will have to wait to see if the 34 year old will be changing his stage name to Docta Flocka.
On Saturday, Oct., 3 the “Hard in da Paint” rapper was awarded the honorary degree in the areas of philanthropy and humanitarianism in New York by the Bible Institute of America Theological Seminary. Joined by his wife, Tammy Rivera, daughter Charlie, as well as other family and friends for the ceremony, Flocka was ecstatic over his latest accomplishment.
“I got Honorary Doctorate in Philanthropy and Humanitarianism… my work just beginning!!!,” he shared in an Instagram post. In the caption of a follow-up image, he also thanked Dean Apostle Dr. Bridget C. Outlaw.
Flocka’s involvement in charitable causes throughout the years was honored during the ceremony. Earlier this year, he pledged to dedicate his life to raising mental health awareness and suicide prevention, which was motivated by the 2013 suicide of his own brother, Kayo Redd.
Tammy was “proud” of her man, sharing an image of him in his cap and gown, rocking a huge grin and looking absolutely thrilled at his accomplishment, writing, “🙌🏽🙌🏽 proud of you.”
Plenty of Waka’s celebrity friends also chimed in to congratulate him on his big day across their respective social media posts, including Tiny, Method Man, E-40 and T-Boz.
Lil Yachty even posted a video entirely dedicated to Flocka (and may not have realized the degree is honorary).
“I just want to give a big congratulations to Waka Flocka. He just got his doctorate today. I think that’s some s**t we need to celebrate in the hip-hop community because that’s not a normal thing but that’s an amazing thing,” said the “Oprah’s Bank Account” rapper.
“A Black man getting his doctorates degree with a career field starting as a rapper, not just an artist, but a rapper…So that’s a big thing,” he continued. “I wanted to give a big congratulations to Waka Flocka. I’ve always wanted to go back to school and get my degree, let alone a doctorate degree, but just to get my masters. That was very inspiring to me as a Black man.”
According to the school’s website, the Bible Institute of America is “Internationally Accredited by Southeastern Global Accrediting Commission,” which offers a range of degree programs, including theology, ministry, divinity, & apostolic order, and certificates in Ministerial 101, public speaking and armor bearer training.
