Tramar Lacel Dillard (born September 16, 1979),[1][4] better known by his stage name Flo Rida (pronounced /floʊ ˈraɪdə/), is an American rapper. He is known for hit songs such as "Low", featuring T-Pain, which was a number 1 hit for 10 weeks in the United States in 2008, and "Right Round", featuring Kesha, which was a number 1 hit for six weeks; both songs broke the record for digital download sales when they were released. Other international hit singles he has had including "Club Can't Handle Me", "Good Feeling", "Wild Ones" and "Whistle". He has frequently collaborated with other artists, both on his and others' tracks. Hit songs by other artists featuring Flo Rida include "Running Back" by Jessica Mauboy, "Bad Boys" by Alexandra Burke, and "Troublemaker" byOlly Murs.
Flo Rida has released four albums so far: Mail on Sunday in 2008, R.O.O.T.S. in 2009, Only One Flo (Part 1) in 2010, and Wild Onesin 2012, and he has sold more than 75 million records worldwide.[5]
Early life and career beginnings
Tramar Dillard was born on September 16, 1979,[1] in Carol City, Florida.[6] His parents raised him and his seven sisters together, some of whom sang in a local gospel group.[7]
Dillard's brother-in-law was a hype man for local rap group 2 Live Crew, and while in ninth grade, Dillard joined an amateur rap group called the GroundHoggz.[8] The GroundHoggz had been a three-man group, with members 1Bred, Key Lime, and Fist, who lived in the same apartment complex as Dillard, 187 Apartments. They started recording at underground studios in Carver Ranches.[9] The GroundHoggz, in this four-man incarnation, remained together for eight years.
His work with 2 Live Crew member Fresh Kid Ice attracted the attention of DeVante Swing, a member of the band Jodeci. However, he was rejected by several of the major labels, so he sought many other jobs outside of music.[10]
After graduating from high school in 1998, he studied international business management at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for two months and attended Barry University for two months.[10][11] He returned to Florida to continue pursuing his music career after receiving a phone call from a representative of the independent label Poe Boy Entertainment.[10]
Dillard signed with Poe Boy in 2006, and as Flo Rida he began affiliating with other artists, such as Rick Ross, Trina, T-Pain, and Trick Daddy. A promotional street single entitled "Birthday", featuring Rick Ross, was his first significant release. He made his debut guest appearance with the song "Bitch I'm from Dade County" on DJ Khaled's album We the Best, which featured Trick Daddy, Trina, Rick Ross, Brisco, C-Ride, and Dre.[12]
Career
Mail on Sunday (2007–08)
Rehearsing for the 2008Much Music Video Awards inToronto.
Flo Rida's debut album, Mail on Sunday, was released in March 2008. The first single was "Low", featuring T-Pain, which was also included in the soundtrack to the movie Step Up 2: The Streets. "Low" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[12] "Elevator", featuring Timbaland, "In the Ayer" featuring will.i.am, and "Roll" featuring Sean Kingston followed, and both charted on the Hot 100 and other charts.[13]
Other than T-Pain, there were many featured guests throughout Mail on Sunday. Timbaland, who produced the second single "Elevator", is also featured on the track. Rick Ross, and Trey Songz made appearances as well.[14] Lil Wayne[14] appeared on the track "American Superstar", while Sean Kingston appeared on the J. R. Rotem-produced "Roll", which was co-written by Compton rapper Spitfiya. Various other guests include Birdman, Brisco, and Yung Joc.
