Flo (group)

Flo
Flo performing on their tour in 2023
L–R: Stella, Jorja, and Renée
Background information
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Years active2019 (2019)–present
Labels
Members
  • Stella Quaresma
  • Jorja Douglas
  • Renée Downer
Websiteflolikethis.com

Flo (commonly stylized in all uppercase) is a British girl group formed and signed with Island Records. The London-based group is composed of three members: Jorja Douglas, Stella Quaresma, and Renée Downer. The trio gained prominence for their debut song "Cardboard Box" (2022) after achieving viral popularity throughout social media, and received a silver certification by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).

The song preceded the release of the group's debut extended play (EP), The Lead (2022), and was met with positive reception despite failing to chart. Flo later surprise-released their second EP titled 3 of Us (2023), while performing their first concert tour. The group released their debut studio album Access All Areas (2024), which spawned a collaboration with American rapper GloRilla for "In My Bag". The album peaked at number three on the UK Albums Chart and first-charted on the Billboard 200 at number 163.

Flo are a recipient of several accolades, including the annual survey BBC Sound of... and the Brit Award for Rising Star. They were also nominated for Best Group and Best New Artist at the 23rd BET Awards.

Members

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I saw the girls and we screamed across the room. I knew from that moment we were about to start something big.

— Douglas on when the members met for the first time[1]

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.[1] She grew up listening to R&B music introduced to her by her mother.[3] 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?.[4][5] Prior to being in the group, Douglas worked for an accountancy firm.[3]

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.[3]

Career

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2019–2022: Formation and debut with The Lead

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The British girl group formed in 2019. Quaresma and Downer knew each other having met studying at Sylvia Young Theatre School and discovered Douglas from her singing videos on Instagram.[6] After spending two years in writing music, the trio recorded their debut song with producer MNEK. "Cardboard Box" was first released on 24 March 2022, after they signed to Island Records.[7] The song performed well throughout social media with established artists SZA and Victoria Monét praised the song.[8] An accompanying music video published in April,[9] with an acoustic version being released the following month.[10]

Performing for VevoDSCVR
video icon "Cardboard Box" by Flo on YouTube
video icon "Immature" by Flo on YouTube

Flo later released their second song "Immature" on 6 July 2022 with a music video uploaded the same week.[11] During the promotion of the song, the trio announced and released their debut extended play (EP) The Lead on 8 July 2022. Many music critics named the EP an "essential listen" while displaying the confidence and authority of the trio.[12] Flo later performed their first two songs on YouTube for VevoDSCVR in August.[13] The trio re-released their project with an additional song "Not My Job" which served as a deluxe EP on 14 September 2022.[14]

The trio made their television debut for late-night talk programs Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Later... with Jools Holland on October.[15][16] The next month, Flo performed "Feature Me" and "Not My Job" on the YouTube channel as they were included in VevoDSCVR's Artists to Watch 2023.[17] The three were nominated at the 25th MOBO Awards and did their first medley performance.[18] In December, they also became the first female group to top the annual survey BBC Sound of... and win the Brit Rising Star in the same year.[19][20]

2023–present: Breakthrough with Access All Areas

[edit]

Flo were featured on a remix for British rapper Stormzy's song "Hide & Seek" in January 2023.[21] Interviewed on radio program Rocket Hour, singer and pianist Elton John questioned the group about their debut album with Downer responding, "There sure is. It's going to be amazing."[22] The trio were later announced to perform at various summer festivals such as Big Weekend, Isle of Wight, Longitude, Summer Sonic, and Wireless Festival.[23][24]

Throughout social media, the girl group teased several snippets of an upcoming song featuring American rapper Missy Elliott.[25] "Fly Girl" was officially released on 23 March 2023 and interpolates Elliott's hip-hop song "Work It" (2002), plus a new rap verse from herself.[26] Seven days later, the trio embarked on their first sold-out concert tour, Flo Live in North America and Europe.[27] Prior to their next show in Chicago, Flo made their third television appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and performed "Fly Girl".[28]

Flo at Mighty Hoopla in 2023, which took place in Brockwell Park
Flo performing at Mighty Hoopla in 2023, taking place in Brockwell Park

The trio performed in front of 80,000 people for Capital's Summertime Ball at Wembley Stadium on June 11,[29] and at Glastonbury Festival on June 23.[30] The same month, Flo received their first three nominations at the 23rd BET Awards which includes Best Group.[31] The next month, the three surprise-released their second EP titled 3 of Us where two songs were already performed on their concert tour.[32] Flo explained on social media that this release is a "gift" for fans who are "patiently for new music."[33] The girl group were nominated for Push Performance of the Year at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards in August.[34] They received three nominations at 36th Soul Train Awards in November for Best Group, Best New Artist, and Best Collaboration for "Fly Girl" with Missy Elliott.[35]

Flo released "Walk Like This" for their upcoming debut studio album on 8 March 2024, with a music video released on March 14.[36] They later performed at Coachella 2024.[37] Another song titled "Caught Up" was released on May 24 with a music visualizer.[38] A month later, the trio played at the Governors Ball.[39] American singer Kehlani revealed the tracklist for her fourth mixtape While We Wait 2 (2024) and Flo appears for the song titled "8".[40] The group also were announced to open for Kehlani's Crash World Tour; it commenced on September 4 and concluded on November 2.[41]

The girl group revealed the title of their debut album Access All Areas earlier in August,[42] and was later released on 15 November 2024.[43] The album featured collaborations with Nigerian-British actress Cynthia Erivo and American rapper GloRilla.[44]

Artistry

[edit]

Musical style

[edit]
"Cardboard Box" (2022)
A 24-second sample of "Cardboard Box".
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Flo's style distinctly draws upon classic R&B and hip-hop, particularly from the 1990s and early 2000s. The group often covered R&B songs from that era at the beginning of their career on TikTok, particularly songs by Jazmine Sullivan and Lauryn Hill.[45][46] 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.[47]

Influences

[edit]
Aaliyah (left) and Amy Winehouse (right) have influenced Flo.

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.[48]

Achievements

[edit]
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.[49][50] In December 2022, Flo won the Brit Awards and were nominated for the 25th MOBO Awards.[51][52] In March 2023, they received the Rising Star Award at the Global Awards.[53] 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.[54]

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.[55] In March 2023, they were named as one of Rolling Stone's 25 artists of the future.[56] The same month, Flo was named Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month.[57] In April 2024, they were listed on the Europe's Forbes 30 under 30 list for 2024 in the Entertainment category.[58]

Discography

[edit]
Main article: Flo discography

Studio albums

Extended plays

Filmography

[edit]

Television

[edit]
List of television and films credits
Year Title Role Channel Notes Ref.
2022 Jimmy Kimmel Live! Themselves (musical guest) ABC Episode dated 6 October 2022 [59]
Later... with Jools Holland Themselves (musical guest) BBC Two Episode dated 29 October 2022 [60]
2023 The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Themselves (musical guest) NBC Episode dated 20 April 2023 [61]
2024 The Graham Norton Show Themselves (musical guest) BBC One Episode dated 13 December 2024 [62]

Tours

[edit]

Headlining

[edit]

Supporting

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Ackroyd, Stephen (24 March 2022). "Brand new London-based trio FLO have shared their debut single, 'Cardboard Box'". Dork. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  2. ^ Wickes, Jade (12 May 2022). "Could FLO be Britain's next great girl group?". The Face. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  3. ^ a b c d "Up Next: FLO" (Podcast). Apple Music. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  4. ^ Stevenson, Amelia (19 June 2017). "Interview with Jorja Douglas at Big Weekend". TresA Magazine. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  5. ^ "Got What It Takes? - The Winner's Story". BBC. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  6. ^ Coffey, Cailean (24 March 2022). "London's newest girl band Flo kick cheating partners to the curb on debut single "Cardboard Box"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  7. ^ Keith, James (4 April 2022). "UK R&B trio Flo step out with MNEK-produced "Cardboard Box"". Complex. Complex Networks. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  8. ^ Valentina Cagna, Claudia (26 July 2022). "Getting to know Flo, the UK R&B outfit co-signed by Missy Elliott and SZA". Complex. Complex Networks. Archived from the original on 1 August 2022. Retrieved 22 August 2022.
  9. ^ Ackroyd, Stephen (1 April 2022). "New London three piece Flo have shared a video for their debut single, "Cardboard Box"". Dork. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  10. ^ Kelly, Amelia (8 May 2022). "Flo share acoustic version of their debut "Cardboard Box"". GRM Daily. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  11. ^ Mier, Tomás (8 July 2022). "Flo is the R&B girl group we never knew we needed". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  12. ^ Olaoya, Ezra (8 July 2022). "R&B trio Flo's debut project, The Lead, is an essential listen". Complex. Complex Networks. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  13. ^ Folk, Antwane (9 August 2022). "Flo performs"Immature" and "Cardboard Box" for Vevo's DSCVR series". Rated R&B. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  14. ^ O'Connor, Siobhain (21 September 2022). "Flo share new single "Not My Job"". Dork. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  15. ^ Richards, Will (12 October 2022). "Watch Flo make television debut, bringing "Cardboard Box" to Kimmel". New Musical Express. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  16. ^ Holden, Finlay (31 October 2022). "British trio Flo have appeared on Later... with Jools Holland with a live performance of "Cardboard Box'"". Dork. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  17. ^ Srour, Yousef (2 November 2022). "Flo, Armani White, and Amelia Moore top VevoDSCVR's Artists to Watch list for 2023". UDiscover Music. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  18. ^ Keith, James (17 November 2022). "Kojey Radical, Tion Wayne, Fireboy DML, Cat Burns and Flo to perform at this year's MOBO Awards". Complex. Complex Networks. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  19. ^ Snapes, Laura (8 December 2022). "Brits Rising Star award: British girlband Flo beat Nia Archives and Cat Burns". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  20. ^ Brandle, Lars (6 November 2023). "Flo wins BBC's Sound of 2023 poll". Billboard. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  21. ^ Shutler, Ali (6 January 2023). "Stormzy shares brilliant Floremix of "Hide & Seek"". New Musical Express. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  22. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (23 January 2023). "Flo confirm debut album for 2023". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  23. ^ Mamo, Heran (25 January 2023). "Travis Scott, Playboi Carti, and D-Block Europe to headline 2023 Wireless Festival". Billboard. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  24. ^ Raza-Sheikh, Zoya (28 February 2023). "Mighty Hoopla 2023 announces incredible full Sunday line-up". Gay Times. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  25. ^ Jack, Lynch (23 March 2023). "Rising UK girl band Flo enlist Missy Elliott for smooth R&B bop "Fly Girl"". Hypebeast. Hypebeast Group. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  26. ^ Ruiz, Matthew Ismael (23 March 2023). "Flo and Missy Elliott share video for new song "Fly Girl": Watch". Pitchfork. Condé Nast. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  27. ^ Lisa, Wright (31 March 2023). "Flo at Outernet review: this knockout gig felt like an intimate stop on their road to superstardom". Evening Standard. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  28. ^ Kyra, Alessandrini (21 April 2023). "Flo delivers fiery performance on Jimmy Fallon amid successful, sold-out tour". Blavity. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  29. ^ Loffhagen, Emma (26 April 2023). "Capital Summertime Ball 2023: Dates, line-up and how to get tickets". Evening Standard. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  30. ^ Tabberer, Jamie (24 June 2023). "Flo at Glastonbury review: 'Impossibly polished'". Attitude. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  31. ^ Fabian Brathwaite, Lester (26 June 2023). "BET Awards 2023: See the full list of winners". Entertainment Weekly. Dotdash Meredith. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  32. ^ Lejarde, Arielle Lana (3 July 2023). "Flo share surprise three-track EP 3 of Us". The Fader. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  33. ^ Duran, Anagricel (5 July 2023). "Flo surprise release new extended play 3 of Us". New Musical Express. Retrieved 21 July 2023.
  34. ^ Corcoran, Nina (8 August 2023). "MTV VMAs 2023 nominees announced: See the full list here". Pitchfork. Condé Nast. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  35. ^ Grein, Paul (1 November 2023). "SZA, Usher, and Summer Walker lead 2023 Soul Train Awards nominations: Full list". Billboard. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  36. ^ Keith, James (8 March 2024). "Flo push towards debut album with new single "Walk Like This"". Complex. Complex Networks. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  37. ^ Chelosky, Danielle (16 January 2024). "Coachella 2024 lineup has no doubt, sublime, and blur". Stereogum. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
  38. ^ Breihan, Tom (27 May 2024). "Flo share new single "Caught Up": Listen". Stereogum. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  39. ^ Aswad, Jem (16 January 2023). "SZA, Post Malone, and the Killers to headline 2024 Governors Ball Festival". Variety. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  40. ^ "Kehlani graces fans with more love anthems on While We Wait 2". Rap-Up. 28 August 2024. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  41. ^ Irvin, Jack (23 July 2024). "Kehlani to hit the road for Crash World Tour in fall 2024 with special guest Flo and Anycia". People. Dotdash Meredith. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  42. ^ Bell, Aria (22 August 2024). "Flo reveals name and release date of highly-anticipated debut album". Blavity. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
  43. ^ Corcoran, Nina; Monroe, Jazz; Strauss, Matthew (15 November 2024). "9 new albums you should listen to now: Flo, Pa Salieu, and more". Pitchfork. Condé Nast. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  44. ^ Samuels, Keithan (15 November 2024). "Flo releases debut album Access All Areas: Stream". Rated R&B. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
  45. ^ Gordon, Lauren (20 April 2022). "FLO: radiant London trio leading the next generation of girl groups". NME. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  46. ^ Gonzales, Kristian (22 September 2022). "FLO Carries The 90's R&B Torch With Latest Single 'Not My Job'". uDiscover Music. Retrieved 19 December 2024.
  47. ^ Gordon, Lauren (20 April 2022). "FLO: radiant London trio leading the next generation of girl groups". NME. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  48. ^ White, Brooklyn (2 June 2022). "FLO Is Your New Favorite Girl Group". Essence. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  49. ^ Blistein, Jon (8 August 2023). "Taylor Swift, SZA, Doja Cat Lead 2023 MTV VMAs nominations". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 9 August 2023.
  50. ^ Pierre, Mekishana (26 November 2023). "2023 Soul Train Awards: The Complete Winners List". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
  51. ^ Savage, Mark (8 December 2022). "Girl band Flo win the Brits rising star award". BBC News. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  52. ^ Ahluwalia, Navi (30 November 2022). "These are the Winners of the 2022 MOBO Awards". Hypebae. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
  53. ^ Collins, Riyah (14 December 2023). "Mobo Awards: Little Simz and Stormzy dominate nominations". BBC News. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  54. ^ Aswad, Jem (26 June 2023). "Beyonce, SZA, Busta Rhymes Win Big at Painfully Long BET Awards". Variety. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  55. ^ "The NME 100: essential emerging artists for 2023". NME. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
  56. ^ "Meet Music's Future 25". Rolling Stone. 26 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  57. ^ Mamo, Heran (23 March 2023). "Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Rookie of the Month for March: Flo". Billboard. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  58. ^ Jones, Dean. "30 Under 30 2024". Forbes.
  59. ^ Richards, Will (12 October 2022). "Watch FLO make TV debut, bringing 'Cardboard Box' to 'Kimmel'". NME. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  60. ^ Holden, Finlay (31 October 2022). "British trio FLO have appeared on 'Later… with Jools Holland' with a live performance of 'Cardboard Box'". Dork. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  61. ^ Kyra, Alessandrini (21 April 2023). "FLO Delivers Fiery Performance On Jimmy Fallon Amid Successful, Sold-Out Tour". Blavity. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  62. ^ Byrne, Ruairi (12 December 2024). "The Graham Norton Show: Irish TV star leads this week's stacked line-up". irishmirror.ie. Retrieved 13 December 2024.
  63. ^ Heran, Mamo (31 January 2023). "FLO Announces First North American Headlining Tour: Here Are the Dates". Billboard. Retrieved 1 February 2023.
  64. ^ Taylor, Sam (1 November 2024). "FLO have booked a 2025 UK and European tour, their biggest to date". Dork. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
  65. ^ Tomas, Miér (23 July 2024). "Kehlani Unveils 'Crash' World Tour — And She's Bringing Girl Group FLO With Her". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 23 July 2024.
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