EXCLUSIVE

Forget Wyclef Jean ... Amanda Bynes is hashing out a record deal with rapper Waka Flocka Flame for her upcoming hip hop album -- and Waka tells TMZ, it's going to be legendary.

Waka -- who runs Brick Squad Monopoly records -- tells us, the deal hasn't been signed yet but it's basically in the bag ... in fact, he's already hired people to start penning Amanda's songs.

Waka says he and Amanda FaceTime at least once a week and text every day -- mostly about her rap career ... but also about motivational stuff, like "keeping her head up from the haters."

Waka tells us the album will be called "Shots" -- adding, "It's going to be crazy hot." So far, there's no projected release date.

As for whether Waka thinks there's something a little off about Amanda ... he said, "Not at all. She has it all together to me. She is cool as hell and ready for the rap world. I think she is going to kill the game."

And just to make sure it's a success ... Waka says he'll be featured on several of Amanda's songs as well.