PULSE / Music
The Low On Flow
Exclusive Q&A with Flo Rida
interview by: Scrap Jackson
Flo-rida is an enigma. Renowned for his hit records, he is a party animal and an understated gentleman, a nightclub maniac and a smooth operator. He’ll toss stacks in the air like he just doesn’t care, but be the first to raise money for the poor in Africa. In other words, he’s a guy’s guy who deftly tap dances on the preci- pice of rap versus pop. Women cannot get enough of him. He looks like a linebacker, but is a teddy bear. This mystique serves Flo-rida well, and allows him to be one of the few artists in the world who can create bub- blegum records for the masses yet maintain his street credibility. His recent number one smash, “Good Feel- ing,” is bankrupt of hip hop. Is he eschewing his core while embracing the many? Sure he is! But who cares? Flo’s doin’ Flo!!
Scrappy:What’s up with that huge Flo-rida tattoo on your back, dawg?? How many hours did that take, and how much did it cost?
Flo-rida: (laughing) 30 hours, $10,000 and a lot of pain, bro. It repre- sents all the aspects of Miami life and the love I have for the state of Florida. I flow. I ride. It represents my style.
S: Hell, I’d just buy a special license plate! F: (laughs)
30 | Pulse Magazine SWFL
S: Another number one record, not just here but internationally! How do you feel?
F: Really unbelievable right now, like I’m dreaming. With all the grind- ing that I put in and all the hard work, I always expect good things to happen, but I didn’t know it would be of this magnitude.
S: Tell us something we don’t know about you.
F: I work hard and I live in the studio. I spend about 14 hours at a time in the studio. And I love it!
S: I grew up loving and listening to 2 Live Crew. How did you get put on tour with those guys?
F: I was performing at a nightclub in Miami and some of their col- leagues were in the building. This was before I got my record deal. They made an offer to go to Hawaii and I couldn’t turn that down. That’s where it all started. I went on the road with them off and on for about two years.
S: How about Uncle Luke – did he have any influence on you?
F: I recall being in one of my first music videos for a record called “Luke Wet Em.” He showed me a lot of love, so I got a chance to work with him early. You know, getting a chance to see what it’s like being around the video scene.
S: Fat Joe, you and I were at one of your concerts a few years ago. I turned to Joe and asked him about you. Joe grinned like a proud big brother and said, “Flo is very ambitious and immensely talented. Just like me, he is always concerned about creating that next big hit.”
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