FGC mainstay and EVO champ SonicFox is in hot water with rapper Waka Flocka Flame and it almost went to the courts. Here’s the beef.
Celebrity guests are no strangers to the fighting game community. But few predicted an online shouting match between Dominique “SonicFox” McLean and Juaquin “Waka Flocka Flame” Malphurs. The fighting game genius and former EVO champion is now beefing with the rapper on social media over a promotional agreement that went south.
Who is right and wrong in this battle of trap rap versus frame traps? Let's look at the broad strokes. Here are details on the feud, why Flocka is so mad, and if it could end with a very strange day in court.
FGC feuds and money, name a better duo
The issue first came to attention on Dec. 7, 2023, when Sonic accused Nobi Gaming of illegally withholding payments from a promotional agreement. The FGC phenom went back and forth with Fashun Rivers, who co-owns Nobi Gaming with Waka Flocka Flame. It quickly evolved into legal threats over the money, but will the Atlanta rapper and gay furry go to court over it?
Does Waka Flocka Flame owe SonicFox money?
According to official statements from Nobi Gaming, the original deal was for SonicFox to promote a $10,000 exhibition match of Mortal Kombat 1 between himself and Flocka at EVO. The contract gave $1,250 at the time of signing with an additional $1,250 afterward.
The match, which took place on Sep.19, 2023, ended with a victory for SonicFox. After going up 6-0, the star put on a blindfold and still managed to win, though Flame did take a round.
However, SonicFox reportedly failed to fulfill their contractual obligations to promote the event. They were supposed to make two social media posts about the exhibition every week from July 28 to the match. However, the company claims McLean only reposted eight posts from Nobi Gaming with no original content. As a result, Nobi did not send the second $1,250 payment. The sponsor also appears to have withheld half of the $10,000 winner's purse.
As a co-owner of Nobi, Waka Flocka Flame quickly got involved in the dispute. He accused SonicFox of wrongdoing and making the FGC look bad in the process. The rapper has since changed his Twitter banner to Sub-Zero executing a Fatality with the faces photoshopped to himself and SonicFox.
SonicFox likely to drop court case
With $6,250 on the line, SonicFox began threatening legal action against the court. However, it appears that he has since decided against a court case. On Dec. 12, Sonic retweeted a post from fellow FGC personality Riley “Fanatiq” that affirmed their intent to move past the issue.
McLean also deleted several social media posts related to the event. While it could still go to court, the issue has most likely been settled. However, the court of public opinion and social media bickering will surely live on, much like some of SonicFox's past feuds.
Keep checking in to esports.gg for the latest updates on your favorite fighting games and personalities.