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Flo Rida

March 2009 | Hip Hop

Flo Rida has the world at his feet. After the phenomenal success of his debut album (Mail On Sunday) and his single Low he is back with a new album and a fresh sound and attitude for 2009.

Right Round, his new single, hits the UK this week and is already a global smash, reaching the No.1 spot in the US on downloads alone. The rap superstar spoke to we7 on how his struggle to the top has influenced his forthcoming album, "R.O.O.T.S"

The interview

How are you enjoying your time in the UK?

I've been here a couple of times - you know I love it every time I come here.

Can you tell us a bit about our rise to the top and how you got to where you are today?

I've known these guys who I'm signed to [independent label Poeboy Entertainment] since grade school. They gave me a chance to work with them. Prior to that, I was working with my group, The Groundhogz - we would do gigs at strip clubs, 'cos that was the fastest way to get your music popular. I always made tons of sacrifices and gave all my time and my heart and soul to this music. Every dollar I earned went towards my studio time - I never had a car until I got my record deal 'cos I put all the money I ever had into going to record at the studio and things like that.

You're about to drop your new album in the UK - what can we expect from that?

My new album is called "R.O.O.T.S"; it's out in stores March 31st. It's abbreviated for "Route Of Overcoming The Struggle" - I've definitely been inspired by the fact that I just love Africa, you know, the motherland. I've seen a lot of struggles there. People didn't know I had my own struggles as well - with this record, you're going to get a lot of tracks that are heartfelt, which my last album really wasn't. I still have the party, club, joints all that kind of stuff. I got Wyclef Jean on this album as well as, Nelly Furtado, Ne-Yo and Pleasure Pete to name a few. You know the new single "Right Round" features Kesha and the Dead or Alive sample.

Did you know the original song?

I have listened to it. Just growing up in a house with seven women I had to hear all types of music. It was different, but then I've given it my Flo twist. Now we've got a No.1 record in the United States...

The record that broke you was "Low" - you got Grammy nominations in the US, in the UK you got the MOBO nomination. Did the success of it all take you by surprise?

I mean definitely, it was [a surprise]. I was a first time artist - you look at other people's successful situations and you're like "wow". I put in a lot of hard work, time and dedication but I just feel blessed... Possibly this record ["Right Round"] might be bigger than "Low".

I know you've got a tattoo of Jimi Hendrix - what's it about him that you dig?

You know he was very electrifying. He seemed like a very calm cool dude but when he hit the stage, he let it all out. You know, that's the way he was very different - he made hot music that the world enjoyed. But I have more people tattooed on me - I got Billie Holiday, Ray Charles, Sammy Davis jr, James Brown, Tina Turner... these guys are all legends for me.

Are you going to carry on shakin' it up in '09?

I'm definitely gonna continue to shake things up... To my fans out there, or aspiring artists, like I said, you got to be happy for the down time and the trials and tribulations 'cos that's gonna be the things that make you or break you. And it can definitely make you. When you do achieve your goals, it makes you appreciate it more. For the most part, make sacrifices, put God first and give this 200%. What you put in is what you get out. Never have it in mind to give up... no "Plan B".