Genres: Rap/Hip HopFlo Rida was born Tramar Dillard in Carol City, Florida. He dropped out of school and toured as a rap artist with the hip hop band 2 Live Crew. His song writing talent is quite obvious as he has been invited to appear on several albums and mix tapes.
Flo-Rida: The Rapper Online Mania
Go with the Flo Rida
Florida rapper has achieved phenomenal success in the rap music. He is one of the most downloaded artists of all times. His two albums have sold over a million copies in the US. But it is his singles which have thrown open the door for rappers from Flo Rida. Four of his singles have sold an astonishing 10 million copies in the US alone. Making him one of the most successful rap stars in recent years. He nearly did not make the music scene as his initial struggle years saw him focus on his education and one of the rare artists who have completed college. He has even collaborated with many pop icons like Madonna and Lay Gaga
Early Life
Flo Rida was born Tramar Dillard in Carol City, Florida. He dropped out of school and toured as a rap artist with the hip hop band 2 Live Crew. His song writing talent is quite obvious as he has been invited to appear on several albums and mix tapes.
After his time with 2 Live Crew he set up his own rap band called Groundhoggz . They performed at local clubs and events. Notable at many street shows that the band has given. His association with 2 Live Crew continued when he appeared for Crew member solo album. It would be this collaboration which would bring him recognition and attention.
He was not able to sign on to a major label which prompted him to join back school where he graduated and pursued a degree in international business from the University of Nevada. He came back to Florida and pursued his musical career, after he gave a few performances he was signed by recording label Poe Boy in 2006. It was also the time when he started to associate with other Florida rappers most notably T-Pain and Rick Ross. He released his first single with collaboration from Ross.
His continued to make guest appearances in several songs like “Bitch I am from Dade County” for DJ Khaled. The DJ Khaled album is considered to use the very best of Florida rappers of that time.
Mainstream Success
Flo Rida gained worldwide fame and critical acclaim with the release of his first single “Low” which featured T-Pain. It was taken from his debut album titled “Mail on Sunday” and it was also featured on the soundtrack for the movie Step Up 2 The Streets. The success of “Low” was cemented when it reached No.1 on US Hot 100 charts. Its hip ho beat and rapping made it an international hit and massive digital downloads made Flo Rida one of the hottest southern rap artists. The single has sold an astonishing 5 million copies. It has also been confirmed as the most downloaded single of the 2000 decade and has been viewed a staggering 58 million times on YouTube.
The album went Gold in several countries on the strength of the monster single “Low” and peaked at No.4 on the charts.
After the success of the album, Flo Rida was invited by many rap artists for collaboration such as the remix of “4 Minutes” by Pop queen Madonna and “The Fame” by Lady Gaga; he did a live performance on the hit TV show “So You Think You Can Dance” in the summer of 2008.
Flo Rida Roots
Flo Rida started recording his next album as now there was intense pressure due to the nationwide attention on his much awaited follow-up. He released the single “Right Round” which was another No.1 on the US Hot 100. The song was more pop rap and did not use hip-hop style beats. Despite the negative reviews of the single it was a hit and it sold a record breaking 636,000 copies which broke his own record of “Low”. It has become the fastest paid downloaded track in history
In Mar 2009, he released his sophomore effort titled “R.O.O.T.S”. The next single “Sugar” peaked at No.5. The album debut at No.8 on the US charts and by the end of 2009 it was highest selling rap album of the year.
Flo Rida’s incredible breakthrough success also got him 4 Grammy nominations and 3 MTV VMA nominations. Flo Rida’s rise from complete obscurity to superstar fame had bee credited to his song writing style, lose production and constantly referencing his Florida roots. Both his albums have been produced by an ensemble list of producers.
The rapper is set to go on a massive touring schedule in 2010.
Did you Know: Despite his groundbreaking success he has been nominated over 20 times in various Music awards and categories but has not yet registered his first win
Did you Know: His two songs Low and Right Round have broken every paid digital download record in history
Did you Know: His 2010 album is tentatively titled The Only One