New York — Flo Milli always felt distinct from her peers and destined for greatness. The writing was constantly on the walls and stalls for her.
“Many high school girls hated me. I didn't know how to handle that as a child. I would discuss it with my godfather. According to the artist of “Never Lose Me,” he speaks life into her. I would go in the stalls early in the morning before school started and write everything I wanted to be, like ‘I’m that girl,’ or anything I felt about myself. The more I repeated it in my thoughts while walking around the halls, the more I liked it.
Many rap artists now believe the Mobile, Alabama native. The third and possibly best Flo Milli studio album, “Fine Ho, Stay,” was released this month. She knew it was coming when the budding rap artist breaks into hip-hop's top female emcees' discourse.
The power of the tongue, period; I've always been taught that is very powerful,” said the 24-year-old, who was soft-spoken throughout the conversation despite her colorful singing persona. I would speak things into existence as a child. I would say everything I have now. Saying it again and writing it down makes it more real because your mind must process it.”
Her 14-track project features Juicy J, Bangladesh, and ATL Jacob. The title “Fine Ho, Stay” came from a social media comment after her two previous album titles, “Ho, why is you here?” and “You Still Here, Ho?” went viral. She laughed at the poster's idea.
Her music isn't funny. The CD lacks "Fruit Loop" and "BGC," yet she didn't leave her followers without songs. She opens the EP with the swaggy, trap-beat-led songs “Understand,” “New Me” featuring Anycia, and “Neva” featuring Monaleo, which demonstrate her arrogant attitude and energetic vocals.
When not threatening to "hit that ho with a two-piece," she experiments musically and thematically and sings. The album's biggest hit, “Never Lose Me,” is No. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 2 on R&B/Hip-Hop Streaming Songs. Milli recently released a remix with SZA and Cardi B, as well as versions with Lil Yachty and Bryson Tiller from December.
While her forceful, high-energy songs are effective, her fragility really shines in tracks like “Toast,” the sensual “Edible” with Gunna, and “Can't Stay Mad,” where she emotes. “It’s kind of hard for me to talk about love and all that, but you know, it’s probably like a little tribute to somebody; I can be nice sometimes,” she said of the song. “I aimed to showcase versatility on this album... I always sang in church as a kid, but I became a rapper. Thus, it's not new to me but to others.”
Flo Milli, born Tamia Monique Carter, rose to fame in 2019 as a Clark Atlanta University student with “Beef (FloMix)” on TikTok, inspired by Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne. Her innovative self-marketing strategy—paying social media influencers to post song snippets—get her noticed and a deal with RCA. She has since released hits like “Conceited” and “In the Party,” which has over 34 million YouTube views and was included on Lah Pat's “Rodeo” remix, which peaked at No. 9 on Billboard's Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart.
Flo's goal is music, but she's not limited to recording studios. She wants to model and act again. A young woman who felt like an outsider is now “that girl” she always wanted and one many desire to be. “I just feel like I can do anything in the world,” remarked Flo. Sometimes I'm shocked. I said, "Wait, I need to own this moment and not move on and say, "Ok, I want this, I want that." You must accept and appreciate what you have and recognize that you prayed for this.”
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