Tramar Lacel Dillard, known professionally as Flo Rida, is an American rapper and singer born on September 16, 1979, in Carol City, Florida. Growing up in a musical family, with several sisters in a gospel group and a brother-in-law who was a hype man for the rap group 2 Live Crew, he was exposed to music from an early age. While in the ninth grade, he joined an amateur rap group called the GroundHoggz. After high school, he briefly studied international business management at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and attended Barry University before returning to Florida to pursue his music career.
Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
Flo Rida's career began to take shape after signing with Poe Boy Entertainment in 2006. He started making guest appearances on tracks by other artists, including DJ Khaled's "Bitch I'm From Dade County". His breakout moment came in 2007 with the release of his debut single "Low," featuring T-Pain. The song was a massive commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and holding the top spot for ten weeks. This success was bolstered by its inclusion in the soundtrack for the movie "Step Up 2: The Streets". His debut album, "Mail on Sunday," was released in March 2008 and reached number four on the US charts. The album also featured other successful singles like "Elevator" and "In the Ayer".
Continued Success and Chart Dominance
Flo Rida continued his chart success with his subsequent albums. His second album, "R.O.O.T.S." (2009), featured the hit single "Right Round" with Kesha, which broke records for digital sales in its first week and became his first UK number one. His following albums, "Only One Flo (Part 1)" (2010) and "Wild Ones" (2012), also performed well on the charts. Throughout his career, he has produced a string of international hit singles, including "Club Can't Handle Me," "Good Feeling," "Wild Ones," "Whistle," "I Cry," "G.D.F.R.," and "My House". He has sold over 80 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists.
Studio Albums
- Mail on Sunday (2008)
- R.O.O.T.S. (2009)
- Only One Flo (Part 1) (2010)
- Wild Ones (2012)
Recent Years and Other Ventures
In 2015, Flo Rida released the EP "My House," with the title track becoming a major international hit. In 2021, he represented San Marino in the Eurovision Song Contest alongside the singer Senhit. Beyond music, Flo Rida has ventured into business. He has his own record label, International Music Group (IMG), and has been involved in endorsements with various brands. He is also known for his philanthropic work, including his "Big Dreams for Kids" foundation which supports underprivileged youth.