See past the obligatory ‘bling’ when you first meet ‘ma boy’ Flo Rida and you shake hands (firmly) with Tramar Dillard.
Polite, humble and honest, Florida-born Dillard is still the boy who formed his own amateur rap group on the streets of Carol City.
“You know sometimes I get goose bumps,” he said as he asked for help to attach a radio mike on his US basketball vest.
“Thinking about before when I didn’t even have a record deal and how much success I have now, it’s something I thank god for but it also just blows my mind.”
Surrounded by hundreds of screaming fans trying desperately to catch a glimpse of the American rapper as he patiently signed flyers at Virgin Megastore in Dubai, things weren’t always this easy he explains.
Struggling to get a record contract for many years Flo Rida, most famous for his hit single Low, left college to pursue a career in the music business.
After graduating from high school in 1998, he studied international business management at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for two years and attended Barry University for just two months.
“Prior to the music thing I was going to college but I dropped out to pursue the music,” he said.
“So eventually I’d love to head back to college and finish what I started.”
Speaking ahead of his debut gig at The Palladium, Dubai, Thursday night), Flo Rida said the show will involve everyone.
“It will be spur-of-the-moment, energetic and I’ll get the crowd involved,” he said. “Having fans at the signing I could even hear people singing my lyrics so I know it will definitely be something I’ll enjoy as well as the fans.”
Mail on Sunday was Flo Rida's solo debut album with the first single Low, featuring T-Pain reaching number one in the US for 10 weeks in 2008.
Other singles include Elevator and In the Ayer and in 2009, the 30-year-old released his second album R.O.O.T.S.
Flo Rida is now working on album number three and says he wants his fans to know he is here to stay.
“It’s called The Only One because it shows just how special I feel,” he said. “Every time I come out my fans show me so much hospitality. I want fans to know I’m here to stay.
“I’m spending a lot of time in the studio right now. Have a few mixed tapes coming out to give the fans something free to download but I’m looking forward to dropping the new album.”
So what does the rapper think of Dubai?
“Prior to coming here I thought it would be a beautiful place and its definitely living up to its name,” he said with a big smile.
As a teenager, Flo Rida worked with local rap group 2 Live Crew and formed his own amateur group with some friends called the Groundhoggz.
Years later he has collaborated with industry heavyweights including Lil Wayne, T-Pain, Ne-Yo and Lady Gaga to name a few.
Joking about the publicity Low gave Nelly for his line of clothing Applebottoms – a jean brand for ladies with curvy figures – Flo Rida says there are no hard feelings about a lack of cash.
“Nelly never gave me any cash and that’s the way it should be,” he joked. “I wanna give a shout out to Nelly, my man. He owes me nothing. I have my own success now and it’s all good. I’d love to get into the movies or maybe look at my own clothing label. The future is good.”
Wrapping up the interview in the style it started Flo Rida, his genuine modesty shining more than his diamond-encrusted giant gold watch, he finished by letting us know life is too short.
“Just sitting here in this interview I can think back and it all feels very surreal you know,” he said leaning forward, a sense of meaning behind every word.
“I’ve made a lot of sacrifices and kept working hard. It’s taken a lot of motivation. I had a sister who passed away and that could have made me lose motivation but I kept at it. It definitely motivated me to realize you only have one life to live.
“You know, we could all be here today and gone tomorrow so you know I took the initiative to live every day like it’s my last but really give it my all.”
Tickets, priced Dh 250, Dh 350 and Dh 450, are available at all Virgin Megastores and at the venue tonight (Thurs).
Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
