Metallungies Hollers @ Flo Rida, Interview.

(Image Source, Bonus: Donvan McNabb in the back shot)

Miami may seem like urban hit central these days. It seems like every other song you hear in the club originated in the MIA-Yayo (no Rick Ross). A relative newcomer, Flo Rida has played a part in Miami’s hit take over in the past year, delivering Low & Elevator off of his Mail On Sunday debut.  We caught up briefly with the man to talk about his career up to this point and various other topics as he gets set to be a part of MTV’s  FN MTV (which kicks off on July 13th).

Metal Lungies: You’ve exploded onto the scene in the past year, what has been the wildest fan encounter that you’ve had so far?

Flo Rida: Oh man, I would say going back to the hotel room, you know, miles away, normally you don’t dabble real close to the venue. And the girls find their way back. And I feel like they don’t even know where we at. They’ll just be listening to every door. And I’ll get a call from my security guard, “man, you know, um, there’s some girls outside the door.” I mean, that’s like crazy to me.
ML: Are you happy with how your major debut turned out and the reception you’ve received?

FR: Oh most definitely. It’s got me worldwide exposure, you know, flying over to Japan, Paris, London, you know, going to the Philippines. All over the world. I’m definitely happy with the turnout.

ML: What are some of your favorite Miami-area albums?

FR: Poison Clan – Poisonous Mentality, that’s with JT Money, I mean that’s back in the day, 2 Live Crew – As Nasty as they Wanna Be, Trick Daddy – www.thug.com, Rick Ross –Port of Miami.

Find out about Flo Rida’s car collection, his fitness plan, if DJ Khaled is really that hyper and more after the jump!

ML: What makes Miami raps scene unique from everyone else?

FR: I mean, I think it’s unique for me for the fact that me and my brother Rick Ross are from the same neighborhood, Carol City. We both got a lotta fame right now. I mean, it’s weird that that really happens. One year after the other, instead of beefing, we tend like to help each other and bring each other on, I think that’s what makes us different.

ML: You recorded a good part Mail on Sunday in California, what was your favorite thing about being out there?

FR: My favorite thing was when I got a chance to work with Will.i.am, working on the In the Ayer record, which is the third single we put out. I walked into his house, there was a studio and it was where Michael Jackson recorded his album, he’s got all these moon men up…I was like, “Man, I need one of these, Willy,” He was like, “Don’t worry man, when [this album] comes out, you’ll look forward to getting a moon man.” So that was like, monumental to me.
ML: Who is your favorite person to work with and why?

FR: Favorite person to work with. Um, I don’t wanna say my favorite, because all those guys on my album, they definitely have something different. It definitely opened my mind up because they all have the uniqueness, it wasn’t like there was a favorite because working with Will was great, working with Timbaland was great, always favor working with these guys and for it to happen. It was always special, working with Lil Wayne, guys like that, I think all of them, you know, it was a great time for me.

ML: You worked with DJ Khaled 2 years ago, is he as hyper as he seems in all of the YouTube videos?

FR: He’s always hype, man. That’s not an act, Khaled is always hype.

ML: How was it touring with 2 Live Crew when you were younger?

FR: Oh man, that was just like, an experience. Naked women everywhere, whip cream, bananas, it was crazy. It definitely prepared me for now, because a lotta times I go on stage and perform “Low,” these girls are pullin’ out boobs and everything. It kind of reminds me of that time.

ML: Do you have a favorite moment from that time?
FR: I would say going to Hawaii and performing in Hawaii.

ML: Do you have any regrets about quitting college?

FR: Not at all.

ML: Do you think you might go back one day, or are you kinda just done with that?
FR: I mean, I definitely look forward to going back because I’m always trying to expand my horizons, so I look forward to doing that.

ML: What do you have planned for you appearance on the FN MTV show? 

FR: Um, just, you know, promoting my album and thanking the fans for all the support and love. Letting them know that without them it wouldn’t be possible. The success of the album is great; everything that I’ve put out is doing well, so I’ll definitely do that.

ML: How did the remix for Madonna’s 4 Minutes happen?

FR: I actually got a call from Timbaland. He called my CEO and told [him], I think Flo Rida needs to do the remix, so make that happen.

ML: What’s the Flo Rida fitness plan? What do you do everyday to keep in shape?
FR: I wake up, do at least 400 push ups throughout the day. Things like that. I’m busy right now, so I have to make do with what I can. But you know, sit ups, push ups, and you know, do some squats, things like that.

ML: What was your first car, what are you driving now?

FR: First car, I had a Chevy Caprise. Now, I have S550 Benz, Cadillac Escalade truck, Range Rover, Lambo, I have a bunch of promotional vehicles.

ML: Are you a sports fan? If so, what are you favorite teams?
FR: Definitely a sports fan. I always go home teams – Miami Heats, Miami Dolphins, [Florida] Marlins.

ML: Do you think the south (or Miami’s) rap is in a decline or rise in general?

FR: In a rise.

ML: Any last words, and what can we see from you in the future.

FR: Definitely look for Flo Rida getting into some acting, clothing lines, because it definitely opens up doors for promoting a lot of things and opens up avenues and things like that, so I’m definitely gonna take advantage of that. You know, owning my own company and giving to more charities, things like that.

Mail On Sunday is in stores now.

Download (MP3): Madonna Ft. Justin Timberlake, Timbaland & Flo Rida-4 Minutes (Remix).