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That’s Dr. Waka Flocka Flame to you!
Congratulations are in order for the Flockaveli rapper, who received an honorary doctorate degree in philanthropy and humanitarianism from the Bible Institute of American Theological Seminary over the weekend.
“Proud of you,” wrote his wife and former Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta star Tammy Rivera on Instagram.
Waka joins the list of other artists who have received honorary doctorate degrees. In 2014, Sean “Diddy” Combs received his doctorate in humanities from his alma mater, Howard University, while John Legend received an honorary Doctorate of Music from the University of Pennsylvania.
A year later, The College Dropout Kanye West was given an honorary doctorate from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In 2019, Missy Elliot became the first rapper in history to receive an honorary doctorate from Berklee’s prestigious College of Music, which she accepted along with Justin Timberlake and Hamilton composer Alex Lacamoire.
Waka is on a path to changing his life, to which he committed to after his brother and fellow rapper, Kayo Redd, took his own life in 2013. Earlier this year, Waka pledged to dedicate his life to suicide prevention and mental illness. “Ya’ll not alone Waka Flocka Flame is with y’all now!” he tweeted.
In August, Waka admitted during an interview with N.O.R.E. on Drinks Champs that his brother’s passing led him to reevaluate more important things in life.
“He live[d] right up the street from me. Four houses up,” Waka said “And I missed the phone call when he killed himself, so I’m like, ‘I gotta change. I’m gonna change everything.'”
Congratulations, Waka!
(If you or someone you love is struggling with thoughts of suicide or depression, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.)
By Rachel George
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