High with brooch, skirt, Schiaparelli. Necklace, Bulgari.
Flo Milli is an artist seemingly made for TikTok. The frank, humorous “Beef FloMix” went viral on the app in 2019, when the Cell, Alabama, native was nonetheless in highschool, and her newest single, “By no means Lose Me,” lately spent 4 weeks at primary on the TikTok Billboard High 50. Her second studio album, Nice Ho, Keep, was launched in March, shortly earlier than she joined Gunna’s tour as a particular visitor. Nice Ho, Keep completes a trilogy, following her 2020 debut mixtape, Ho, Why Is You Right here? and her 2022 studio album, You Nonetheless Right here, Ho? Nonetheless, not a lot has modified since she was simply getting began on SoundCloud. “The one factor that’s completely different is that I don’t assume as a lot, like I used to. I’m extra like, ‘Okay, I bought this, let’s go.’ ”
What was it prefer to go so viral in 2019?
Oh my God, it was loopy. I had made a pact with myself: Once I was possibly 14, I was like, “I’m making a timeline. I’m going to be well-known by 18, and if I don’t make it by 18, I’m simply going to cease and do one thing else.” I began rapping at 10 or 11, after which once I turned 18, it didn’t occur, proper? Once I would submit my songs, they might get numerous views, however I didn’t actually really feel like I used to be there but. I keep in mind taking a look at my Instagram and being like, “Okay, possibly I ought to grow to be a dental assistant.” I used to be actually about to go to highschool for that, after which my buddy informed me not to surrender. A number of months later, my track “Beef FloMix” began blowing up. I used to be just a little off with the entire planning factor, but it surely labored out.
Jacket, $2,400, transient, $560, Ferragamo. Necklace, Bulgari.
Do you assume issues have improved for girls in rap?
In fact. I really feel prefer it’s a platform for us to be seen and heard. Earlier than, yeah, we have been seen and heard, and there have been icons that got here earlier than us, however I really feel like we’re extra accepted now. We nonetheless have our haters, however for essentially the most half it’s extra ladies on the market who’re extra vocal.
How is that this album completely different out of your others?
It’s me expressing myself just a little bit extra to my character. Earlier than, I used to be giving one facet of Flo Milli, and now, I’m giving everyone completely different sides of me. It’s a weak vibe the place individuals get to listen to my experiences. I really feel prefer it’s very relatable for girls, and I really feel like it is going to assist.
High, panty, $535, boots, $1,795, Marni. Necklace, watch, $8,500, Van Cleef & Arpels.
And do you take pleasure in touring? Is it enjoyable for you?
The enjoyable half is seeing my followers. [But not] the shortage of sleep and the fixed working round—as a result of I’m such a chill particular person. However I’m at all times grateful for the expertise and to have the ability to hook up with my followers. We are able to have conversations; I settle for them for who they’re, and I believe that’s why they gravitate towards me. We’ve got lots in frequent.
You’ve mentioned that the one factor that issues to you is your opinion of your self. Does that aid you within the music business?
It does. In fact, I’m not lower off to the criticism, as a result of it’s important to be open to different opinions. However on the subject of making music, I’m extra taking a look at, “How do I really feel? I’ve to carry out this for the subsequent couple of years, or I’ve to sit down with this, and I’ve to cope with no matter comes with it or no matter is alleged about it. So let me make it possible for I’m pleased with what I’ve bought earlier than I make it possible for anyone else is happy with it.”
Hair by E Williams for Kérastase; make-up by Alexandra French for Maybelline; manicure by Karen Jimenez for Chanel Le Vernis; set design by Carlos Lopez; produced by The Manufacturing Companions.
A model of this story seems within the Could 2024 concern of ELLE.
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