UK rap is on the rise as grime takes the reigns as one of the most popular genres in the country. For one MC though, none of that matters because she’s in a league of her own.
Nigerian-born Flohio (Funmi Ohiosumah) moved to south London at eight years old, and encapsulates both cultures into her complex bars. She was drawn to rap in her early teens after hearing the likes of 50 Cent, Eve and Lil Wayne, taken aback by the latter’s metaphorical and thought-provoking approach to songwriting. Developing her sound to be an ever-changing mix of electronic, trap, hip hop and grime at a range of tempos, Flohio’s music will not be defined by any single genre.
She entered the scene in 2016 when she was featured on production duo God Colony’s bouncing single ‘Se16’, which is their most successful hit on Spotify with over 200,000 streams. This collaboration was repeated almost a year later with the release of ‘Fights’, an eclectic techno piece that sees Flohio squaring up against the odds in every sense.
2018 has truly been her year though as not only has she been named one of Naomi Campbell’s 10 Women Changing Our Future for Vogue, she also won the UK Music Video Award for Best Urban Video for single ’10 More Rounds’ and released her new EP Wild Yout earlier this month. Wild Yout was produced by her regular collaborator HLMNSRA and features her most progressive songs to date. From alienating synth sounds, intense bass kicks, experimental electronic twangs and relentless grooves, it’s a none-stop journey for Flohio as she decimates all competition in her way. Pitchfork has also commented “Flohio’s outrageous and even intimidating confidence here is enough to suggest we’re listening to someone who’s both learning and having fun, exploring her identity while tearing up dance floors across the nation.”
With an unmatchable live presence that’s years in the making, you don’t want to miss Flohio on tour later this month. Catch her in London on 6th December with tickets on sale here.
Facebook – /flohio
Twitter – @flohio16