All Eyes on Flo Milli: The Rise of a Hip Hop Princess
Illustration by: Mira Dandiker
Backed by a stunning sense of confidence, Flo Milli always knew she was destined to shine.
While many of her peers were concerned with the everyday distractions of tween life –– homework, crushes, parental control –– Tamia Monique Carter had a vision for her life that extended beyond expectations. As early as 14, she spent her school days writing bars in binders and walking out of class to record short demos on her phone. At work, she’d blast beats on the store speakers to the dismay of nearby businesses. Her determination was evident from her earliest days as an aspiring rapper. Now having been given the platform to revel in her stardom, she has no plans of slowing down.
Citing Young Thug as her favorite rapper of all time, it was natural for Flo Milli to gravitate towards the reigning sound of contemporary Hip Hop: trap. Growing up in Mobile, Alabama, she witnessed firsthand how a special Southern flair can lead young artists to the paths of success. At just 20 years old, Flo Milli demonstrates a knowledge and appreciation for the game she’s coming into. Her debut mixtape, Ho, why is you here? is feature-less, but her artist influences shine in a variety of ways. You can hear this exemplified best on “May I,” as she interpolates the chorus of Snoop Dogg’s classic “Gin and Juice” and references the notoriously raunchy 2 Live Crew. Though her sound radiates the same grittiness as fellow Southern natives Gucci Mane and Missy Elliott, it’s her youthful and assertive cadence that marks her individuality. A princess in her own right, she came into the game demanding the respect typically reserved for rap royalty. And considering how high she’s setting the bar, I’m here for it.
Illustration by: Alyssa Chang
It’s pretty hard to miss the devious taunting that encompasses Flo Milli’s bubblegum rap style (“Everything I do irritate insecure bitches / Follow my every move, call that ho a fiend, she addicted / When I walk up in the room, I fuck up her whole mood / They see me and these bitches catch a whole attitude.”) Her blunt, deprecating remarks may make you feel sorry for those on the receiving end of her disapproval, but don’t confuse her mean-girl persona for a lack of support. “There's enough money out here for everybody, so we don't have to hate each other,” she tells Complex about the fabricated feuds associated with women in Hip Hop. “It doesn't have to just be two rappers at the top, or just one female rapper at the top. It can be all of us.” It’s through her own unapologetic expressions of self-love and assurance that she encourages girl power. When she boldly flaunts her best assets, she invites us all to do the same.
Flo Milli may seem to some a trendy but temporary character in the Hip Hop world, but her energy echoes the relentless drive of the most influential and successful rappers of our time. No matter what you think of her, Ho, why is you here? is Flo Milli’s reminder to stay in your lane because she’s thriving in hers.
by: Jennifer Bancamper
