Flo Rida

Donna Summer 'Definitely Influenced' Flo Rida, Other EDM Acts

17 May 2012 21:52:31 EDT

'She definitely is one of those iconic people when it comes down to the dance scene,' Flo tells MTV News of late disco singer.
By Kara Warner, with additional reporting by Rob Markman

The surprised, sincere and heartfelt reactions continue to roll in as the news of Disco Queen Donna Summer's untimely passing Thursday (May 17) spreads far and wide. Summer influenced the music industry as a whole, but her impact is especially felt in today's electronic dance music — which includes current club-anthem king Flo Rida.

"I was just looking at something with her months ago," the "Wild Ones" singer told MTV News. "Today, when I got a text message [about her death], I thought, 'Wow, she passed away.' She definitely is one of those iconic people when it comes down to the dance scene and all that. My condolences go out to all her family. She definitely influenced what I do."

Speaking to Summer's genre-bending influence, house-music forefather Frankie Knuckles called her unforgettable hit "I Feel Love" one of the most commercial electronic pieces of music ever written.

"Today you can hear its influence on all popular Dance music, House, Techno, Trance," he told MTV News in a statement. "She was deemed 'The Queen Of Disco.' She's been sampled and ideas of her songs have crept into today's popular dance music by everybody. Her association with [legendary record producer] Giorgio Moroder set the tone for what Dance Music is all about."

"Donna Summer RIP I FEEL LOVE FOR YOU," Swedish dance-pop princess Robyn tweeted, adding a link to a Summer performance of "I Feel Love."

The reception of Summer's iconic 1977 anthem essentially revolutionized music, not to mention the rest of her chart-toppers that would soon follow.

"One day in Berlin, [Brian] Eno came running in and said, 'I have heard the sound of the future,' " David Bowie famously wrote in the liner notes to Sound and Vision. "He puts on 'I Feel Love,' by Donna Summer. ... He said, 'This is it, look no further. This single is going to change the sound of club music for the next 15 years.' Which was more or less right."

Share your condolences for Donna Summer's friends, family and fans in the comments or on Facebook.

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Taylor Swift's Road To Rap: T-Swizzle To B.o.B's 'Both Of Us'

12 Apr 2012 14:24:28 EDT

MTV News takes a look at Swift's hip-hop history, leading up to her track with the Strange Clouds rapper.
By Jocelyn Vena

Taylor Swift — or T-Swizzle, as she's known in rap circles — has been working her way toward a legitimate appearance on a hip-hop track for some time now. After welcoming many an MC onstage during her Speak Now Tour, the singer now guests on B.o.B's Strange Clouds track "Both of Us."

The Dr. Luke-produced song blends the unlikely duo's musical genres, with jangly guitars that pay homage to Swift's country roots and synthy beats that have Bobby Ray's hip-hop flavor. Surprisingly, the duet came about at the insistence of the singer. B.o.B recently explained that "she came to Atlanta and she hit up Grand Hustle. I wasn't there. Tip was there and I eventually linked with her in Dallas and the rest is history."

This is not the first time the twosome have appeared on a song together. Last year, during Swift's tour, B.o.B took the stage to perform "Airplanes" with the star. Swift took over chorus duties from her pal (and Paramore leading lady) Hayley Williams.

But we have to go back even further than that to really dive into T-Swizzle's hip-hop history.

In a 2008 MTV News interview, the singer opened up about one day wanting to work with rappers. "I'd like to do a completely off-the-wall collaboration," she said. "I would like one of my songs to be the hook to a rap song. That would be so much fun! You know, I love Kanye West and I love T.I. — he's amazing."

The following year, at the 2009 CMT Awards, she hooked up with T-Pain to parody her good-girl image in the song "Thug Life." She showed not only her gangster side, but also her funny bone, rapping lyrics like, "You can find me making cookies at night/ You out clubbing? I just made caramel delights."

Taking some time off from her rap game for a minute, in 2011 she enlisted the likes of Nicki Minaj, Flo Rida, and, yes, T.I. to put her stamp on some of their biggest hits during the Speak Now Tour.

See why Taylor Swift is the crunkest chick in country music

Initially, it surprised Tip that the country cutie would want to have him appear onstage with her last October.

T.I. explained, "I was confused, because I know it's a phenomenal opportunity, but being T.I. — the Rubberband Man — and Taylor Swift being America's Sweetheart, I had just gotten out of prison like two days [earlier] and all of a sudden my phone rings."

Eventually, though, she was welcomed with open arms into his crew. "Taylor's extended Hustle gang. She a part of the crew," T.I. said in March. "She just ain't got her dog tags yet, but she's a part of the crew, though."

In the midst of the tour, Swift talked about asking rappers to perform with her. "I'm a huge hip-hop fan," she shared. "And it's been so amazing to have so many incredible artists come out and to get to sing the hooks on their songs that I've been blasting in my car for the last couple years."

Now, with so much practice singing other people's hooks behind her, it seems like the right time for her to get her own. On the B.o.B track, she sings, "I wish I was strong enough to lift not one, but both of us/ Someday, I will be strong enough to lift not one but both of us." The lines mirror the song's theme of battling hardships and strife.

"Both of Us" will be featured on B.o.B's May album release.

Are you ready for more T-Swizzle? Let us know in the comments!

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Flo Rida Brings A Good Feeling To NBA All-Star Weekend

26 Feb 2012 14:18:29 EST

The rapper performed his record "Good Feeling" during the Saturday activities for night two of All-Star weekend.
By Rob Markman

Orlando, Florida-- When it comes to music Flo Rida is a definite all-star, but before he made it big on the radio the Miami rapper had some pretty big hoop dreams. He didn't get to shoot the rock this weekend but Flo set the Amway Arena on fire on Saturday night when he performed his hit single "Good Feeling" moments before the NBA kicked off their annual All-Star Slam Dunk Contest.

"Early on with my boys, we played basketball and loved it so much and one day dreamed of playing basketball," Flo told MTV News immediately after his performance. "So for me to go out there in an environment where I may not be an NBA player, but I'm definitely looked at as a celebrity as well, it's just a blessing and I get chills just thinking about it."

Flo performed his Etta James-sampling "Good Feeling" flanked by a number of energetic dancers. It was a lively showing and for the rapper an unforgettable on as well. "I definitely enjoyed myself out there, you seen me jump around all over the stage," he said.

Performing during the live television broadcast was a thrill for Flo and so was watching the Slam Dunk Contest, which NBA baller Jeremy Evans won thanks to a move where he dunked two different basketballs in one jump. Flo Rida, an accomplished hit-maker who usually is out touring is also looking forward to spending time with his homeys during the star-studded weekend. "Besides that just hanging out with a bunch of my friends who I normally wouldn't see around this time because I'm doing gigs," he said when asked about his weekend highlights.

Flo just narrowly missed his pal Rick Ross last night at the Sheltair Executive Airport Hanger in Orlando. Rozay threw an all-star bash and partied alongside Meek Mill, DJ Holiday and Maybach crew members Dre Films and Spiff TV. Ross and company left, just as Flo was coming in the club. No biggie though, the "Good Feeling" rapper kept the party going into early Sunday morning with R&B singer Pleasure P.

What did you think of Flo Rida's "Good Feeling" performance during the NBA's All-Star Saturday festivities? Tell us in the comments!

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Taylor Swift Gets 'Much Love' From Flo Rida

06 Dec 2011 06:53:13 EST

Rapper 'had an amazing time' performing with Swift on her Speak Now Tour.
By Jocelyn Vena, with reporting by Matt Elias

Taylor Swift has shared the stage with some of the biggest (and most surprising) artists during her Speak Now Tour. Everyone from Nicki Minaj and Selena Gomez to Bruce Springsteen has graced the stage with the pop darling in 2011.

During a Miami tour stop last month, the singer brought Flo Rida onstage to perform his very blush-inducing track "Right Round." And if you were surprised to hear about the collaboration, Flo told MTV News at Los Angeles' Jingle Ball over the weekend that he was just as shocked.

"I was in Australia. I got home, and I was actually staying in my condo for the day," he explained. "And I looked down, 'cause my condo, it's right across the street from the arena, and I was like, 'I wonder who's performing?' So I went down there, spur-of-the-moment, and they told me it was Taylor."

Initially, Flo Rida just wanted a chance to catch the show, but when he spoke to her people, it turned into a whole different opportunity. "I spoke with them, and they asked me to perform," he said. "And she was very nice and very humble. I had an amazing time. Her fans are over-the-top. It was crazy. Much love to Taylor Swift."

Swift wrapped up her tour in New York last month. During her Atlanta stop over the summer, she brought another rapper onstage with her: T.I. "I was pleasantly surprised and confused," T.I. told MTV News of receiving the phone call from Swift. "I was confused because I know it's a phenomenal opportunity, but being T.I. — the Rubberband Man — and Taylor Swift being America's Sweetheart, I had just gotten out of prison, like, two days [earlier], and all of a sudden my phone rings."

While the hip-hop appearances on her tour might seem surprising, Swift assured us in October that she really loves the genre. "I'm a huge hip-hop fan, and it's been so amazing to have so many incredible artists come out and to get to sing the hooks on their songs that I've been blasting in my car for the last couple years," she said. "It's been awesome. I couldn't have asked for more amazing special guests on this tour."

Which Taylor collabo were you most surprised about? Let us know in the comments!

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Flo Rida Samples Etta James On 'Good Feeling'

31 Aug 2011 18:07:18 EDT

'It's legendary,' Flo tells MTV News of his brand-new single.
By Rob Markman

Soul singers are making a comeback in 2011. First Jay-Z and Kanye resurrected Otis Redding on their single "Otis," and now Flo Rida reworks some classic Etta James vocals for his new single "Good Feeling."

And like his past #1 hits, including 2007's "Low" and '09's "Right Round," Flo is expecting to top the charts once again.

"It's legendary, we got Etta James featured on there, so it's crazy," he told MTV News from the 2011 VMA black carpet on Sunday. "Produced by Dr. Luke; you know we always with those #1 records. I'm very excited."

The song, which was released to iTunes on Monday, starts out with a dance-infused drum pattern, complete with electric bleeps that echo throughout the intro. After the eighth bar, Etta James' vocals are ushered in: "Ohhh, sometimes I get a good feeling."

The sample is lifted from James' 1962 "Something's Got a Hold on Me" and has been updated for a 2011 electro-feel. After the chorus, Flo comes in, rapping in double-time about his success in the music game. And the Carol City, Florida, MC has much to celebrate. Later this year, he'll release his fourth solo LP, Only One Rida (Part 2), the follow-up to his 2010 album, which included the hit singles "Club Can't Handle Me" and "Turn Around (5, 4, 3, 2, 1)."

Now he can add a song with Etta James — or at least an Etta James sample — to his list of musical moments. "You know, it just gotta be a blessing from God to make that happen," Flo Rida said. "We got that cleared and I'm very excited."

The 28th annual MTV Video Music Awards have wrapped, but the real action is just getting started! Stick with MTV News for winners, fashion pics, video and behind-the-scenes stories about everything that went down. Visit VMA.MTV.com for the latest.

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Nicki Minaj Bubbles In 'Where Them Girls At' Video

07 Jul 2011 18:49:52 EDT

David Guetta is 'a crazy scientist' in Nothing But the Beat clip.
By Akshay Bhansali

Garnering over 12.5 million views online in just over a week, crossover beatsmith and global touring DJ David Guetta's video for "Where Them Girls At" — his latest pop-radio charting single featuring rapper Flo Rida and Nicki Minaj — intentionally or not builds on a previous clip from his album One Love.

In Guetta's video for "Gettin' Over You," fans might remember a back-alley dance-off with Fergie, LMFAO and the Jabbawockeez crew in which the music emanating from a studio session unites the neighborhood in the spirit of house music and Guetta's "one love" mantra.

With his video for "Where Them Girls At," Guetta means to have a more dramatic effect: spreading his unifying gospel not just to one neighborhood, but across the entire city of Los Angeles. The video features the French producer perched high on top of a roof emitting enormous bubbles across L.A. Passersby on the streets watch curiously as the bubbles float about them, but rapper Flo Rida is the first to observe a sunbathing poolside beauty come in physical contact with one: Immediately, as if puppeteered by Guetta himself, she begins to dance frantically.

When MTV News caught up with Guetta recently, he explained, "The idea behind the 'Where Them Girls At' video is me being kind of a crazy scientist on the rooftop on my own and making bubbles.

"Every time they are touching someone, the person becomes totally crazy and starts to do those crazy dance moves," he continued. "So basically, the bubbles represent the music and the love that I'm trying to give to the world."

A blond Minaj, in a club setting, seems to be another conduit for Guetta's dance-inducing bubbles, swallowing up a big one and releasing smaller bubbles throughout her verse.

Citizens across the City of Angels all begin to cut a rug, and toward the end of the clip, we see just how the mad scientist is releasing his concoction: A bevy of beauties pour soapy water into a hybrid bubble-making DJ setup seemingly straight out of "Back to the Future."

David Guetta's next album, Nothing But the Beat — set for an August 30 release — will be a double disc featuring a string of Guetta's big-name friends, including Usher, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Ludacris, Taio Cruz, Timbaland, Sia and Jennifer Hudson, in addition to Flo Rida and Nicki Minaj.

Share your thoughts on David Guetta's new video in the comments below!

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Flo Rida Arrested For DUI

09 Jun 2011 12:21:22 EDT

'Low' rapper taken into custody in Miami Beach after admitting to police he'd been drinking.
By Rob Markman

Things aren't looking up for Flo Rida. The "Low" rapper was arrested early Thursday morning (June 9) in Miami Beach after cops noticed the 31-year-old swerving his red and black 2008 Bugatti shortly before 4 a.m.

Flo (real name: Tramar Dillard) was charged with driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license. According to the Miami Herald, when police signaled for Flo Rida to pull over as he drove down Fifth Street, he didn't stop immediately but did slow down, swerving several times before pulling the vehicle over near Lennox Avenue.

The rapper reportedly admitted to police that he had been drinking when cops began to administer a sobriety test. "Officer, I can't do this," he said. "I can't walk a straight line. I had a few drinks."

Flo Rida then told the arresting officers that he lived close by and was able to make it home. A gathering crowd also pleaded with cops, asking them to let the hip-hop star go; a few even offered to drive him home. The rapper was arrested and taken to the Miami Beach Police Department, where he remains jailed. The hitmaker's alcohol level was reportedly measured at 0.185.

The recent arrest is not typical behavior for the pop-rapper, who is known for his high-powered club tracks like the #1 Billboard hit "Right Round."

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David Guetta, Armin Van Buuren Bring Ultra Music Fest To A Close

28 Mar 2011 20:37:26 EDT

All-star lineup of Erick Morillo, Wolfgang Gartner, Laidback Luke, will.i.am, Diddy, Chemical Brothers and many more close out three-day bash.
By Akshay Bhansali

MIAMI — On its third and final day, the Ultra Music Festival delivered a blazing one-two punch of trance and house star power for the 50,000 fans in attendance on closing day of the annual get-together held at Bicentennial Park.

The Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am joined an impressive roster of house-music performers that included Laidback Luke, Steve Aoki, Erick Morillo, Robbie Rivera, Wolfgang Gartner and David Guetta.

Dutch trance music star Armin van Buuren celebrated the 500th broadcast of his A State of Trance show, this time dubbed ASOT 500, in honor of the milestone. The show filled in the slot normally taken by Carl Cox's stage on Friday and Saturday, and van Buuren brought some well-known trance-DJ friends like Cosmic Gate, Gareth Emery, Ferry Corsten, ATB and the night's closer, Sander Van Doorn, all of whom helped to pack a few thousand fans into the tent, chest to back, to capacity.

Just before 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, AVB joined friend/countryman/collaborator Corsten onstage. But a hug and a few jokes later and it was van Buuren's turn to steer the ASOT 500 ship, and he throttled into his set. Van Buuren also held down hosting duties throughout the night, revealing in an on air-interview with ATB the pair have collaborated on a track titled "Vice Versa."

On the main stage, Gartner didn't just hit fans with hits like "Spacejunk," "Illmerica," and his deadmau5 collabo, "Animal Rights." He also tested out a few new songs, including still-unreleased gems "818," and his next single, the electro-house banger "Forever," which features vocals by will.i.am.

Later, house legend Morillo blessed the crowd with three top-notch vocalists: Rachel Starr, former Pussycat Doll Jessica Sutta, and powerhouse singer Shawnee Taylor took turns joining him onstage. Fans sang along with Taylor as she belted the hits "Stronger" and "Live Your Life" among others. Finally, Diddy joined his buddy Morillo onstage, dropping his bars from Dirty South's remix of Diddy-Dirty Money's "Coming Home," a Miami Music Week DJ-set staple.

David Guetta was feeling particularly electro-clubby. He hammered fans with hair-raising renditions of his material, kicking things off with "Gettin' Over You," and then a baritone horn-driven thumper of a tune that some fans may have heard days before at Mansion.

Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am joined Guetta onstage at various points of the night, adding vocals to Guetta's remixes of BEP hits "The Time," and "I Gotta Feeling." But probably the more unexpected cameo was Flo Rida, who showed up with an entourage of Super Soaker-wielding friends and charged onto the stage for the Guetta/Flo hit "Club Can't Handle Me."

Perhaps the most moving moment of the day came when rising star Afrojack joined Guetta and addressed the audience. "Miami, last year, I played here for the first time, through David," Afrojack said. "I had a great time. David is all about the love. David, I love you. Miami, I love you. This guy is the f---ing sh--! So Miami, make some noise for David Guetta!"

Needless to say, the crowd seemed to agree with the 22-year-old Dutch phenom. They returned his request with a roar.

Did you attend Ultra Music Festival in Miami this year? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!

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Flo Rida Cruises Into 2011 On 'MTV New Year's Bash'

01 Jan 2011 00:07:19 EST

Rapper rocks 'Club Can't Handle Me' and more hits during Times Square special.
By Mawuse Ziegbe

Flo Rida kicked off 2011 with not just a bang, but three of his biggest club bangers.

The Southern MC took revelers on a hit-packed ride for "MTV New Year's Bash" on Friday (December 31), kicking off his performance with the David Guetta-assisted smash "Club Can't Handle Me." Audience members went nuts when DJ Kronik dropped the booty-quivering thump of the club mainstay, and Flo, decked out in a gray pullover with a red Louis Vuitton scarf draped around his neck, crimson Nike kicks, red shades and a hefty Poe Boy chain, led the crowd with his supercharged energy. Hands shot in the air at Flo's command, heralding the beefy rapper as he headed down the platform. But he didn't confine the party to the stage, hopping in the crowd to fist-pump alongside fans and even let a couple partyers wail the chorus into his mic.

Flo also hit the stage to rock his latest single, "Who Dat Girl." Despite the frosty NYC weather outside, the Miami spitter kept the heat going indoors, ditching the sweater in favor of a white tank that showed off his trademark guns. Flo then switched to his 2009 dance-floor filler "Right Round" and pulled an amped fan in a snug animal-print dress onstage to groove alongside him. Both rocked out on the platform in the center of the audience, and Flo capped off his lucky fan's moment in the spotlight by letting her wear his massive chain.

MTV News caught up with Flo after getting the party started in Times Square, and the hitmaker dished about the secrets to making a surefire club jam.

"To make a club hit, it's gotta be like ear candy. I think the production has to stand out from all the songs that are out [and] have a great melody," said Flo, whose tracks like "Right Round" and "Low" have shattered records. "People catch on to a melodic sound faster than anything, not just here in the States, just around the world." He also added that in addition to the beat, a party-starting record has to have what he dubbed "club lyricism": lyrics so catchy that anybody at a Flo show could "sing every word and you just hold the microphone out."

With a time-tested formula for crafting smashes already in his hitmaking arsenal, and new 2011 projects from touring to pushing his own new artists, Flo said his New Year's resolution is all about spreading the wealth.

"[I plan] to continue to give," he said. "I feel like the more you give, the more you receive. It's just a great feeling to give and not to borrow."

What did you think of Flo Rida's performance at the "MTV New Year's Eve Bash?" Let us know in the comments.

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Snooki, Flo Rida, MTV Give Irreverent Spin On New Year's Eve

16 Dec 2010 12:47:57 EST

Comedians Whitney Cummings, Bobby Moynihan will help us laugh at 2010 for 'MTV New Year's Bash.'
By MTV News staff

You know about the famous ball that drops on New Year's Eve, but MTV has something a little different lined up for its big New Year's celebration this year. "Jersey Shore" star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi will climb into a ball that will be lowered into New York's Times Square to help ring in 2011 at the "MTV New Year's Bash."

Of course, the pouf-haired firecracker won't be alone, as rapper Flo Rida will perform, comedian Whitney Cummings will host the proceedings and another "Jersey Shore" castmember, Pauly D, will serve as the night's DJ. It's all in the name of fun, as the special will take an irreverent look back at the year in music, television, Internet, relationships and more.

"I can't wait to host MTV's New Years Eve Bash!" Cummings said. "It's going to be so fun to party with the 'Jersey Shore' and rip on all things 2010. I'm gonna get some really good tweets."

Cummings and her crew will be joined by "Saturday Night Live" funnyman Bobby Moynihan, comedian Nick Kroll and Internet sensation Keenan Cahill. The special will debut live on MTV and MTV2 from MTV's Times Square Studio on December 31 at 10:30 p.m. ET (tape delay PT).

Of course, it wouldn't be a New Year's celebration without some serious fist-pumping, so the "Jersey Shore" castmembers will lead the crowd in a fist-pumping frenzy in an attempt to break a Guinness World Record.

While Cummings will be hosting the show live from MTV's Times Square studios, the hosts of "The Seven," Kevin Manno and Julie Alexandria, will be reporting on the festivities down on street level, and the "Shore" kids will make sure to keep the crowd hyped.

The "Jersey Shore" gang also will unveil an exclusive sneak preview of the upcoming third season of the big show.

Don't miss "MTV New Year's Bash," starting at 10:30 p.m. ET on New Year's Eve!

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