2021 XXL Freshman Class 10th Spot – Vote Now

Before the annual Freshman Class cover is revealed, it’s time to cast your vote for the 10th spot. Continue reading…

Flo Milli Is ‘Flora The Explorer’ In Her Colorful ‘Back Pack’ Video

Flo Milli keeps on rolling in 2021, maintaining the momentum of her breakout 2020 and debut mixtape, Ho, Why Is You Here? Today, she shares the video for her new song “Back Pack (Flora The Explorer).” Normally, when you hear the terms “backpack” and “rap” together, it means something else entirely (shout out to MC Jin), but Milli takes her cues from the Nick Jr. family fave Dora The Explorer for her new single, sampling the theme song the title character sings every episode about her magical, talking storage accessory.

In the video, “Flora” explores her new environs on the West Coast with a pink Jeep and wardrobe imitating the song’s inspiration. Content-wise, though, it’s still a Flo Milli classic — boastful, playful, and bold, Milli taunts haters with a sing-song flow and dances alongside a pink, animated monkey (that doesn’t look anything like Boots, to keep it a hundred, but nobody wants Nickelodeon sending C&Ds, right?).

Following the breakout success of Ho, Why Is You Here?, Flo Milli started the new year with the release of her song “Roaring 20s,” celebrating both the calendar year and her lifespan so far over another unusual sample, this time from the musical Fiddler On The Roof. She followed up with a flapper-inspired video for her own single, as well as an appearance alongside Mulatto and Rubi Rose on Rich The Kid’s new video “Nasty” as a burlesque dancer.

Watch Flo Milli’s “Back Pack” video above.

Flo Milli Reveals What Makes Her A Good Role Model In A New Documentary About Her Life Before Rap

Flo Milli is the latest partner for Spotify’s RADAR emerging artist program and the subject of a new mini-documentary about her life before rap courtesy of RADAR. The documentary focuses on interviews with the rising rapper’s family and closest associates, including her hairdresser Carlos Giles, her mom, her grandma, and her aunt. The matriarchs reminisce with Flo in a diner about her impressive academic achievements — her grandma notes that she graduated with honors and advanced diplomas — telling her that she sets a good example for young Black girls.

The doc also includes old performance footage of Flo turning up her high school assemblies, and features a fun story from the star herself about her first show. She booked the concert in Atlanta when she was just 16 years old but didn’t want to tell her family because she thought they might disapprove. Initially planning to catch the Megabus from her home in Mobile, Alamba to Atlanta, Georgia, she worried that something might happen to her so she told her mom — and got a ride from her supportive matron.

Flo Milli rose to stardom in 2019, thanks in part to the popularity of her songs “Beef FloMix” and “In The Party,” signing to RCA Records at just 19 years old. Her debut mixtape Ho, Why Is You Here? took the internet by storm in 2020, making her appear to be an overnight sensation to those who weren’t in the know. However, as the Spotify RADAR documentary shows, she put in the work to make it and has the pedigree and support to make it.