Flo Rida Biography: Life and Career of the Wild Ones Rapper
Groundhoggz
Tramar Dillard was born December 16th, 1979 in Carol City, Florida. Following in his gospel singing sisters’ footsteps, he joined the rap group Groundhoggz while in high school and stayed with them for several years. During this time, Dillard also worked with several other rappers, but was unable to attract the attention of any major labels.
Poe Boy Entertainment
After studying international business management at the University of Nevada, he returned to Florida and signed a record contract with independent label Poe Boy Entertainment in 2006. Taking on the alias Flo Rida, in reference to his home state, he began recording tracks with artists like Rick Ross and DJ Khaled.
“Low”
His first single, “Low,” dropped in 2007. It barely cracked the charts at its debut; however, before year’s end, the hip hop track topped the Billboard Hot 100 and spent ten weeks in that spot. It gained even more exposure when it appeared on the “Step Up 2: The Streets” soundtrack. The song’s success eventually helped Flo Rida’s full-length debut, Mail on Sunday, premiere at number four on the Billboard 200. Containing a slew of featured artists, the electro-hop album also produced two more top twenty hits.
Collaborations
Riding high on the record’s success, Flo Rida began popping up everywhere: he performed on award shows and TV shows, and collaborated with a number of acts, including Lady Gaga and Michelle Williams.
“Right Round”
He released his sophomore album a little over a year after his debut. Mixing house music with hip hop, R.O.O.T.S, or Route Of Overcoming The Struggle, reached the Billboard 200’s top 10. It featured Flo Rida’s second number one single, “Right Round,” which made history when it sold over 630 thousand digital copies during its first week. The disc also contained the top five R&B tune, “Sugar.”
Declining Success
Flo Rida’s third album, Only One Flo (Part 1), came out in 2010. Despite a disappointing showing on the charts, the effort spawned a top ten single. Featuring David Guetta, “Club Can’t Handle Me” also appeared on the “Step Up 3D” movie soundtrack earlier that year.
Arrest
While continuing to work with numerous artists, the rapper launched his own record label, International Music Group in late 2010. Unfortunately, in 2011, a run-in with the law ended with his arrest for a DUI, though he was eventually released on bail.
“Good Feeling”
2012 saw the release of his fourth studio album, Wild Ones. The lead single, “Good Feeling,” contained an Etta James sample and quickly reached the third position on the Billboard Hot 100.
His top five success continued with the smash hit, “Wild Ones,” featuring Australian singer Sia. The disc also showed Flo Rida expanding his hip hop and electronic-based sound by adding pop flavors and guitar, such as on the single, “Whistle.”
Wild One
With infectious songs, boundless energy and an obvious love of music, Flo Rida knows how to make hits that will stand the test of time. He may be a wild one, but you can’t help but get a good feeling when you listen to his songs.
