Flo (group) explained

Landscape:yes
Origin:London, England
Years Active:2019–present

Flo (stylised in uppercase) are a British girl group from London, consisting of members Jorja Douglas, Stella Quaresma, and Renée Downer. They formed in 2019 and signed with Island Records. The group gained popularity on social media with their debut single "Cardboard Box". They released their debut EP, The Lead, in 2022. They topped the BBC's Sound of 2023 poll and won the 2023 Brit Award for Rising Star.[1]

Members

Stella Quaresma was born in Kingston upon Thames, and at four weeks old, she moved to Mozambique. She moved back to the British countryside at the age of five, before returning to London, where she began attending the Sylvia Young Theatre School, where she met bandmate Renée Downer.[2] Quaresma was a year above Downer. She grew up listening to African musical artists and her mother later introduced her to Etta James and British artists like Amy Winehouse. Prior to being in the group, she worked as a waitress.[3]

Jorja Douglas was born in Eastern Germany, before moving to Hertfordshire at eight months old.[4] She grew up listening to R&B music introduced to her by her mother. She is the daughter of former sprinter Stephi Douglas, and in 2017, she competed in and won the second series of the CBBC competition series Got What It Takes?.[5] [6] Prior to being in the group, Douglas worked for an accountancy firm.

Julian “Renée” Downer was born and raised in North London. She attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School, where she met bandmate Stella Quaresma, who was a year above Downer. She grew up listening to R&B, house and church gospel. Prior to being in the group, she worked at H&M on Regent Street.

Career

2019–2022: Cardboard Box and The Lead

Flo formed in 2019.[7] Quaresma and Downer knew each other having met studying at Sylvia Young Theatre School and discovered Douglas from her singing videos on Instagram. Their debut single, "Cardboard Box", was produced by British record producer MNEK and was released on 24 March 2022, after they signed to Island Records.[8] The song performed well on social media,[9] and weeks later, an accompanying music video followed in April 2022, which amassed 900 thousand views in a few days.[10] [11] An acoustic version of the song was released the following month.[12] Also produced by MNEK, their second single "Immature" and its accompanying music video was released in July 2022,[13] ahead of their debut extended play The Lead on 8 July 2022.[14] [15] A music video for "Summertime", also produced by MNEK, was released.[16] Flo re-released The Lead in September 2022 along with a promotional single, "Not My Job".[17]

Flo performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! for the first time on 6 October 2022, which was their television debut. They made their UK television debut on Later... with Jools Holland the following month. On 1 November 2022, they were included in Vevo DSCVR's Artists to Watch 2023.[18] They performed their songs "Feature Me" and "Not My Job" on the channel.[19] The same month, they took to social media to announce their upcoming concert tour in North America and Europe during spring 2023.[20] [21]

Flo then made their first award show performance at the 2022 MOBO Awards with a medley of the songs "Immature" and "Cardboard Box".[22] [23] In December 2022, Flo became the first female group to top the BBCs Annual Sound of... poll and win the Brit Rising Star at the Brit Awards in the same year.[24]

2023–present: 3 of Us and Walk Like This

In early January 2023, Flo were featured on "Hide & Seek" by British rapper Stormzy. The song is from the latter's third studio album, This Is What I Mean (2022).[25] In an Apple Music promotional interview with Elton John, Flo revealed that their debut album is expected to be released in 2023, adding that "There sure is. It's going to be amazing".[26]

In late January 2023, Flo joins the line-up of a number of Summer 2023 festivals including: Big Weekend, Isle of Wight, Longitude, Park Life, TRNSMT, Wireless Festival, and the 2023 Summer Sonic Festival in Osaka, Japan.[27] [28] On 23 March 2023, Flo released the single "Fly Girl", featuring American rapper, singer, songwriter Missy Elliott. The song interpolates Elliott's 2002 single "Work It", plus a new rap from her.[29] [30]

On 30 March 2023, Flo embarked on the "Flo Live" tour, which sold out all tickets in North America and Europe.[31] Prior to their next show in Chicago, Flo made an appearance on The Tonight Show, performing "Fly Girl" for the first time on television.

On 11 June 2023, Flo performed at Capital's Summertime Ball at Wembley Stadium in London, in front of 80,000 people.[32] On 23 June 2023, they played at the Woodsies stage at Glastonbury, Britain's biggest Festival.[33] In the same month, they received their first three nominations at the 2023 BET Awards, including Best Group, which they lost to Drake and 21 Savage.[34]

On 3 July 2023, Flo released the surprise extended play titled 3 of Us, including the tracks "Control Freak" and "Change".[35] [36] These songs had already been performed during their previous "Flo Live" tour. The surprise release was a decision made by them while finishing their debut album. On social media, they called it "a gift to the FLO Lifers who have been waiting so patiently for new music."[37] [38] Their performance of "Losing You" on the MTVs Push series in June 2023 has been nominated for Push Performance of the Year at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.[39]

On 1 November 2023, Flo received 3 nominations to the 36th Soul Train Awards: themselves for Best Group and Best New Artist, and Best Collaboration for "Fly Girl" with Missy Elliott.[40] They were part of the line-up for the 23nd Coachella Festival and The Governors Ball in the summer of 2024.[41] [42]

On 8 March 2024, Flo released "Walk Like This", a single from their upcoming debut studio album.[43] [44] The music video for the song was released on March 14.[45] [46] On 24 May 2024, they released another song titled "Caught Up" from their debut album. In the same day, the track was accompanied with an official visualizer.[47] [48]

Artistry

Musical style

Flo's style distinctly draws upon classic R&B and hip-hop, particularly from the 1990s and early 2000s. The visuals for their debut music video "Cardboard Box" invited comparisons to that of TLC's "Unpretty" (1999) and the Sugababes' "Overload" (2000). In addition to the likes of Destiny's Child and the Spice Girls, H.E.R. was named as a more contemporary influence.[11]

Influences

All three girls described being shaped by the music they grew up listening to; Downer's mother would play Aaliyah and Ciara in the car, and Douglas' mother was into "old school R&B". Quaresma heard African music from her father, while her mother would play Amy Winehouse and Etta James.[49]

Achievements

See main article: List of awards and nominations received by Flo.

Flo has received numerous awards and nominations throughout their career, including a Brit Awards, Global Awards, Sound of..., in addition to being nominated for two MTV VMAs, one NAACP Image Awards and three Soul Train Awards nominations.[50] [51] In December 2022, Flo won the Brit Awards and were nominated for the 25th MOBO Awards.[52] [53] In March 2023, they received the Rising Star Award at the Global Awards.[54] On 26 June 2023, they were nominated for three categories, including Best New Artist, at the 2023 BET Awards, making them the group with the most nominations for the 2023 awards edition.[55]

On January 6, 2023, Flo was placed on the NME 100 annual list of Essential Emerging Artists. They also appeared on the physical cover of one of the issues.[56] In March 2023, they were named as one of Rolling Stones 25 artists of the future.[57] The same month, Flo was named Billboards R&B/Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month.[58] In April 2024, they were listed on the Europe's Forbes 30 under 30 list for 2024 in the Entertainment category.[59]

Discography

Extended plays

Title! scope="col" style="width:20em;"
Details
Home Session: FLO
The Lead
  • Released: 8 July 2022[61]
  • Label: Island, Republic
  • Format: Streaming, digital download, LP
The Lead (Apple Music Edition)
  • Released: 21 September 2022[62]
  • Label: Island
  • Format: Streaming, digital download
3 of Us
  • Released: 3 July 2023[63]
  • Label: Island
  • Format: Streaming, digital download

Singles

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsCertificationsAlbum
UK
[64] 		JPN
Over.
[65] 		NZ
Hot
[66]
"Cardboard Box"202276 17 19 The Lead
"Immature"[68] — — —
"Summertime"— — —
"Losing You"— — —rowspan="2"
"Fly Girl"
202338 7 20
"Walk Like This"[69] 2024— — 32rowspan="3"
"Caught Up"— — —
"Check"— — —

Guest appearances

Title! scope="col"
YearOther artist(s)Album
"Hide & Seek" (Remix)[70] 2023Stormzy

Promotional singles

Title! scope="col"
YearAlbum
"Not My Job"2022The Lead

Videography

Music videos

Title! scope="col"
YearOther artist(s)Director(s)Length
As lead artist
"Cardboard Box"2022LOOSE2:47[71]
"Cardboard Box (Acoustic)"Saorla Houston2:55[72]
"Immature"Avesta Keshtmand2:55[73]
"Summertime"Saorla Houston3:58[74]
"Losing You"Meeks and Frost3:45[75]
"Fly Girl"2023Missy ElliottTajana Tokyo3:32[76]
"Walk Like This"2024Sahra Zadat3:26[77]
"Caught Up"Ganna Bogdan4:00[78]

Filmography

Television

Year! scope="col"
TitleRoleNotes
2022Jimmy Kimmel Live!Themselves (musical guest)Episode dated 6 October 2022[79]
Later... with Jools HollandThemselves (musical guest)Episode dated 29 October 2022[80]
2023The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonThemselves (musical guest)Episode dated 20 April 2023[81]

Tours

Headlining

Opening act

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: 5 January 2023 . Mark. Savage. Girl group Flo win the BBC Sound Of 2023. BBC News . 5 January 2023.
  2. Web site: Wickes . Jade . 12 May 2022 . Could FLO be Britain's next great girl group? . 10 July 2022 . The Face.
  3. Up Next: FLO. Apple Music. 23 September 2022.
  4. Web site: Ackroyd . Stephen . 24 March 2022 . Brand new London-based trio FLO have shared their debut single, 'Cardboard Box' . 6 April 2022 . Dork.
  5. Web site: Stevenson . Amelia . 19 June 2017 . Interview with Jorja Douglas at Big Weekend . 24 April 2022 . TresA Magazine.
  6. Web site: 8 June 2017 . Got What It Takes? - The Winner's Story . 10 July 2022 . BBC.
  7. Web site: Coffey . Cailean . 24 March 2022. London's newest girl band FLO kick cheating partners to the curb on debut single "Cardboard Box" . . 6 April 2022.
  8. Web site: UK R&B Trio FLO Step Out With MNEK-Produced "Cardboard Box" . James. Keith. 4 April 2022. 23 August 2022 . Complex.
  9. Web site: Ackroyd . Stephen . 1 April 2022 . New London three piece FLO have shared a video for their debut single, 'Cardboard Box' . 8 July 2022 . Dork.
  10. Web site: Murray . Robin . 5 April 2022 . UK Girl Group FLO Share 'Cardboard Box' Video . 6 April 2022 . Clash.
  11. Web site: Gordon . Lauren . 20 April 2022 . FLO: radiant London trio leading the next generation of girl groups . 24 April 2022 . NME.
  12. Web site: Kelly . Amelia . 8 May 2022 . FLO share acoustic version of their debut "Cardboard Box" . 10 July 2022 . GRM Daily.
  13. Web site: June . Sophia . 6 July 2022 . Your Next Favorite Girl Group FLO Is About to Debut Their EP . 8 July 2022 . Nylon.
  14. Web site: Olaoya . Ezra . 8 July 2022 . R&B Trio FLO's Debut Project, 'The Lead', Is An Essential Listen . 10 July 2022 . Complex.
  15. Mier . Tomás . 8 July 2022 . FLO Is the R&B Girl Group We Never Knew We Needed . 10 July 2022 . Rolling Stone.
  16. Web site: Keith . James . 17 August 2022 . FLO Take Us On A "Summertime" Trip To Greece In New Video . 23 August 2022 . Complex UK .
  17. News: O'Connor . Siobhain . FLO share new single 'Not My Job' . 23 September 2022 . . 21 September 2022.
  18. News: Vevo announces DSCVR Artists to Watch for 2023 . 2 November 2022 . Frontline . 1 November 2022.
  19. News: Regina . Cho . FLO shares new live rendition of "Not My Job" . 29 November 2022 . Yahoo. 29 November 2022.
  20. flolikethis . 1588594038139408384 . The secret's out, and it's just the beginning… . 31 March 2023.
  21. flolikethis . 1596205748438302721 . Selling out our show in less than a minute made us realise we need another date . 31 March 2023.
  22. Web site: Keith . James . 17 November 2022 . Kojey Radical, Tion Wayne, Fireboy DML, Cat Burns & FLO To Perform At This Year's MOBO Awards . 1 January 2023 . Complex.
  23. Web site: Sinclair . Leah . 1 December 2022 . MOBO Awards 2022: Little Simz, Mahalia and more win top prizes . 1 January 2023 . Stylist.
  24. News: Savage . Mark . 8 December 2022 . Girl band Flo win the Brits rising star award . . 8 December 2022.
  25. News: Shutler . Ali . Stormzy shares brilliant FLO remix of 'Hide & Seek' . 12 January 2023 . . 6 January 2023.
  26. News: Kenneally . Cerys . FLO confirmed to Elton John on his Apple Music 1 show Rocket Hour that their debut album is due to arrive this year. . 19 February 2023 . . 23 January 2023.
  27. Travis Scott, Playboi Carti & D-Block Europe to Headline 2023 Wireless Festival. Billboard. Mamo . Heran. 25 January 2023. 19 February 2023.
  28. Web site: Mighty Hoopla 2023 announces incredible full Sunday line-up. Gay Times. Raza-Sheikh. Zoya. 28 February 2023 . 3 June 2023.
  29. Web site: Flo and Missy Elliott Share Video for New Song "Fly Girl": Watch. Pitchfork. Ruiz. Matthew Ismael. 23 March 2023. 23 March 2023.
  30. Web site: FLO team up with Missy Elliott on new single 'Fly Girl'. NME. Williams. Sophie. 23 March 2023. 23 March 2023.
  31. Web site: FLO at Outernet review: this knockout gig felt like an intimate stop on their road to superstardom. Standard. Lisa. Wright. 31 March 2023. 21 April 2023.
  32. Web site: Capital's Summertime Ball 2023 Line-Up: Niall Horan, FLO, Anne-Marie & More. 25 April 2023. Capital. 18 June 2023.
  33. Jamie. Tabberer. Flo at Glastonbury review: 'Impossibly polished'. 28 June 2023. Attitude. 24 June 2023.
  34. Neena. Rouhani. GloRilla & Drake Lead 2023 BET Awards Nominations. 8 June 2023. Billboard. 8 June 2023.
  35. Günseli. Yalcinkaya. New Music Friday: 6 albums to stream this week. 21 July 2023. Dazed. 7 July 2023.
  36. Arielle Lana. Lejarde. FLO share surprise three-track EP 3 of Us. 21 July 2023. The Fader. 3 July 2023.
  37. Anagricel. Duran. FLO surprise release new EP '3 Of Us'. 21 July 2023. NME. 5 July 2023.
  38. Robin. Murray. FLO Drop Surprise EP '3 Of Us'. 21 July 2023. Clash. 3 July 2023.
  39. Web site: Corcoran . Nina . 8 August 2023 . MTV VMAs 2023 Nominees Announced: See the Full List Here . 9 August 2023 . . en.
  40. Grein . Paul . 1 November 2023 . SZA, Usher & Summer Walker Lead 2023 Soul Train Awards Nominations: Full List . 2 November 2023 . Billboard . en-US . 8 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231108192734/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2023-soul-train-awards-nominations-list-sza-usher-summer-walker-1235459621/ . live .
  41. Web site: Coachella 2024 Lineup Has No Doubt, Sublime, & Blur. Stereogum. Danielle. Chelosky. 16 January 2024. 17 January 2024.
  42. Aswad . Jem . January 16, 2023 . SZA, Post Malone, the Killers to Headline 2024 Governors Ball Festival. January 26, 2024. . en-US.
  43. Web site: FLO Push Towards Debut Album With New Single "Walk Like This". Complex UK. James. Keith. 8 March 2024. 30 March 2024.
  44. FLO Is Ready to Show You How to 'Walk Like This' for Their First Single of 2024 . 30 March 2024 . . 8 March 2024.
  45. Taylor . Sam . March 14, 2024 . Flo have fun in their new video for 'Walk Like This' . March 30, 2024. . en-US.
  46. News: FLO Gets a 'Bit Naughty' and Sensual in 'Walk Like This' Video. 30 March 2024 . Rollingstone . 14 March 2024.
  47. News: Flo return with new single, 'Caught Up'. 27 May 2024 . Thelineofbestfit. 24 May 2024.
  48. News: Breihan . Tom . Flo share new single 'Caught Up': Listen. 24 May 2024 . stereogum . 27 May 2024.
  49. FLO Is Your New Favorite Girl Group. Essence. Brooklyn. White. 2 June 2022. 21 February 2023.
  50. Blistein . Jon . August 8, 2023 . Taylor Swift, SZA, Doja Cat Lead 2023 MTV VMAs nominations. August 9, 2023 . . en-US.
  51. Web site: Pierre . Mekishana . November 26, 2023 . 2023 Soul Train Awards: The Complete Winners List . November 27, 2023 . . en-US.
  52. News: Savage . Mark . 8 December 2022 . Girl band Flo win the Brits rising star award . . 8 December 2022.
  53. Web site: These are the Winners of the 2022 MOBO Awards . 30 November 2022 . Hypebae. Navi. Ahluwalia. 30 November 2022.
  54. Web site: Mobo Awards: Little Simz and Stormzy dominate nominations . 18 December 2023. BBC News. Riyah. Collins. 14 December 2023.
  55. Web site: Beyonce, SZA, Busta Rhymes Win Big at Painfully Long BET Awards. Variety. Jem. Aswad. 26 June 2023. 26 June 2023.
  56. Web site: 2023-01-06 . The NME 100: essential emerging artists for 2023 . 2023-12-02 . NME . en-GB.
  57. Web site: Meet Music's Future 25. 26 June 2023. Rolling Stone. 26 June 2023.
  58. Mamo . Heran . Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month for March: Flo. . March 23, 2023. en . March 23, 2023.
  59. Web site: Jones . Dean . 30 Under 30 2024 . Forbes.com.
  60. Web site: Apple Music Home Session: FLO. Apple Music. 5 January 2023.
  61. Web site: Folk . Antwane . R&B Trio Flo Releases Debut EP The Lead . 8 July 2022 . 31 July 2022 . . 22 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220722005324/https://ratedrnb.com/2022/07/rb-trio-flo-releases-debut-ep-the-lead/ . live .
  62. Web site: The Lead (Apple Music Edition) - EP. Apple Music. 5 January 2023.
  63. Web site: FLO Celebrates the '3 of Us' With Surprise EP Release: 'Made With Love'. Rolling Stone. Tomás. Mier. 3 July 2023. 3 July 2023.
  64. Web site: Flo full Official Chart History. Official Charts Company. 14 January 2023.
  65. Peaks on the Billboard Japan Hot Overseas chart:
  66. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. 22 August 2022. 14 January 2023. 22 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220822193157/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/hotsingles?chart=5383. live.
  67. United Kingdom. 26 July 2024. FLO.
  68. Web site: FLO: "Immature" Track Review. Stereogum. 7 July 2022. 11 March 2024. Heven. Haile.
  69. Web site: FLO share new single "Walk Like This": listen. Stereogum. 8 March 2024. 11 March 2024. Chris. Deville.
  70. Web site: Hide & Seek (FLO Remix) [feat. FLO] - Single by Stormzy]. Apple Music. 6 January 2023.
  71. Web site: FLO - Cardboard Box (Official Video). April 2022 . FLO . 1 April 2022 . . Music Video.
  72. Web site: FLO - Cardboard Box (Acoustic). 6 May 2022 . FLO . 6 May 2022 . . Music Video.
  73. Web site: FLO - Immature (Official Video). 8 July 2022 . FLO . 8 July 2022 . . Music video.
  74. Web site: FLO - Summertime (Official Video). 12 August 2022 . FLO . 12 August 2022 . . Music Video.
  75. Web site: FLO - Losing You (Official Video). 15 December 2022 . FLO . 15 December 2022 . . Music video.
  76. Web site: FLO - Fly Girl ft. Missy Elliott (Official Video). 23 March 2023 . FLO . 23 March 2023 . . Music video.
  77. Web site: FLO - Walk Like Thais (Official Video). 14 March 2024 . FLO . 14 March 2024 . . Music video.
  78. Web site: FLO - Caught Up (Visualizer). FLO . 24 March 2024 . . Music video.
  79. Web site: Watch FLO make TV debut, bringing 'Cardboard Box' to 'Kimmel'. Will. Richards. 12 October 2022 . . 30 September 2022.
  80. Web site: British trio FLO have appeared on 'Later… with Jools Holland' with a live performance of 'Cardboard Box' . Finlay. Holden. Dork. 31 October 2022 . 31 October 2022.
  81. Web site: FLO Delivers Fiery Performance On Jimmy Fallon Amid Successful, Sold-Out Tour. Blavity. Kyra. Alessandrini. 21 April 2023. 21 April 2023.
  82. FLO Announces First North American Headlining Tour: Here Are the Dates. Mamo. Heran. 31 January 2023 . . 1 February 2023.
  83. Kehlani Unveils ‘Crash’ World Tour — And She’s Bringing Girl Group FLO With Her. Miér. Tomas. 23 July 2024 . . 23 July 2024.

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