Getting low with Flo Rida

Tramar Dillard or better known as Flo Rida–named after his birthplace of Florida–has been on every bump-and-grinder’s music playlist for the phattest beats. Spending ten weeks at #1 on the Billboard charts, his single ‘Low’ with T-Pain has been pounding every radio playlist, club dance floor and house party here and the rest of the world. Recently headlining the Hennessy Artistry “The Global Art Of Mixing” series, Junk got a chance to catch up with Flo and found out that he’s more than just an amazing stage performer and rapper.

What are your thoughts of the reception from the Asian audience to your music?
I’m definitely overwhelmed, but I don’t get to travel to the Asian countries as much as I want to. I’m honoured that my music is perceived very well.

What inspires your rhymes?
Definitely early artists like Run-DMC, LL Cool J, NWA (Niggaz With Attitude), 2 Live Crew and guys like that.

You’re one of those rare rappers who doesn’t really cuss in his songs. Is that a conscious effort?
I think it’s not really the fact that I don’t swear, it’s just that I haven’t done it for the most part. Like in some earlier songs I do, but in most songs I don’t.

What made you gamble on rapping while growing up in Florida?
It’s basically the fact that I knew I was really talented so I had put a lot of years, time and sacrifice into it. Right now is when everything is coming in ten-fold.

Did fame hit you all of a sudden?
Yeah, it was all of a sudden and it’s still very surreal. I’m still absorbing all of it (laughs).

How was it like rubbing shoulders with big producers like Flava Flav and Dr Dre when you first arrived in LA?
It was like a dream come true after watching them on television, and then after being able to top the charts and being amongst these people. It’s something that I think is unbelievable.

Have you ever seen any rock bands on YouTube doing their own version of ‘Low’?
Definitely, like Travis Barker; he’s actually on a bonus track on my album. And I also got a chance to perform with Simple Plan in Canada.

So who did you vote for in the US elections?
Oh, I gotta keep that on the “low, low, low, low….”

Words I.Nia Photo Hennessy Artistry
www.officialflo.com