GO WITH FLOHIO
Flohio is the Lagos-born, south London-raised
MC who last year was nominated for BBC Sound of 2O19, selected by Naomi Campbell as one of ’1O Rising Female Stars Reimagining Our Future’, released her second EP, Wild Yout, had her first world tour and fronted a Nike campaign. We find out what one of the UK’s most exciting rappers has planned for 2O19.
On penning her first rap
‘It was at a youth club down the road from my house on Talent Day when I was in year seven – I was whack, though. I remember the moment I first picked up a pen and paper in my sister’s bedroom. We didn’t have phones, so it wasn’t a typing thing. You write, scribble out, write… It was exhausting. I didn’t know what I was doing; I just wanted to write and show my friends.’
On the youth club that made her
‘If I hadn’t gone to my youth club, I don’t think I’d be here talking to you. It became my second bedroom – the studio created a safe space where I built myself up to be a better young person. I was there every day; it kept me on the path in a routine of, “music, music, music”.’
On rappers being pitted against one other
‘Maybe it’s because [the industry] is so small, and everyone thinks there’s just one spot. I’m in my own lane, but if anything, I hear Little Simz comparisons a lot – but I love Simz, so it’s all sweet. No beef, no negative vibes. Simz is someone I look up to, and want to be doing that. I wanna keep it all cool.’
On staying true to her sense of style
‘Growing up as a tomboy [in an all-girls school], they tried to change me – “Do your hair like this” – but by year 11, everyone gave up. I think I wore a skirt about two times in the whole five years. When I was 16, my auntie said it didn’t make sense for me to be a rapper and have my face at the forefront: “Learn to be a producer, don’t bother rapping, look at you!” But because I’m strong in who I am as a person, you can’t tell me no. I will still do it, but I’ll do it as I am. I don’t need to change or alter anything. I’m very comfortable in my style.’
On how she protects her mental health
‘When I’m touring I don’t eat well or sleep enough. So when I’m at home, I sleep and I eat; I watch Planet Earth. I just try to rejuvenate and write songs. I have a little studio in my bedroom, so I’m just in there.’
On what’s to come this year
‘People say I did a lot last year, but I feel there was lots I didn’t do. In 2O19, I want to do ten times as much: drop more music, more visuals. I don’t have dates or plans, it’ll be spontaneous.’