In all arts, an early start can be to your benefit. Flo Milli, an artist straight outta Alabama, has been rapping since she was 11 years old, nine years before she became a viral sensation. While watching BET's music video countdown show 106 & Park, a young Flo saw Nicki Minaj spitting and got inspired. She started writing short verses that grew into songs. Shortly afterward, she had her own rap group (known as Real & Beautiful before rebranding as Pink Mafia).

Flo dropped her first solo song, "No Hook," when she was 16. This was 2015, around the time that Playboi Carti and Ethereal (who were then Awful Records teammates) dropped the futuristic "Beef," which Flo would later rework into the "Beef FloMix" in October 2018. Flo's spin on the song is refreshing, using her sharp-yet-fluid flow to brag, issue threats and flex. She's not all flash; Flo Milli can really rhyme, which only adds to the buzz surrounding what she has in store.

According to Flo, the song stalled at 20,000 streams for a while, then blew up suddenly this April, spurred by fan-made dance videos. The song's success came at just the right time, as Flo Milli was going through the pain of a breakup and also recently left her job, certain that things would work out for her soon. They did to an alarming rate, with her song going viral on Twitter this summer, along with racking up 10 million plus streams. The accompanying video is inching towards 2 million views in under a month, earning Flo new supporters, including 2019 XXL Freshman Rico Nasty. Carrying the momentum of her current song, Flo Milli has a video for her next single coming soon, followed by a project set to roll out this fall.

Catch up with Flo Milli's growing career in this week's edition of XXL's The Break.

Age: 19

Hometown: Mobile, Ala.

I grew up listening to: "I grew up listening to Jill Scott [and] Erykah Badu because my mom would play that all the time. Anthony Hamilton, Young Thug. I like Musiq [Soulchild]. I kinda grew up on soul music. It's kinda weird [since] I don't make that type of music. My first favorite rapper was Young Thug. Nicki Minaj, also."

My style’s been compared to: "I get compared to a lot of people. That’s their opinion, though. I’ma still keep rapping and trying new things."

My standout records to date have been: "['Beef FloMix.'] It’s crazy because at first I didn’t even think nothing of it. Honestly, I feel like that’s light work. That’s not the best I can do. So, the fact that so many people were amazed by it, I was like, 'Whoa!' I was just speaking my truth and then I realized a lot of people could relate to it. It’s blowing up because that’s the most relatable one that they can vibe with."

My most slept-on song: "'White Girl Mia,' because that song is such a mood for a lot of girls."

My standout moments to date have been: "Meeting Rico Nasty. That was such a moment for me. When I was 16 I discovered Rico [back] when she didn’t have no fans. I used to walk the halls [of my high school] listening to her song and telling people, ‘This gon' be my best friend one day!’ The fact that three years later I get to meet her and then she turned around and she fucks with me! I could have met anybody but God led us together and led that moment for me."

Most people don’t know: "People think I’m mean. I’m very loving and I’m a good person. People really think I’m cold-hearted and mean but I’m the opposite, actually."

I’m going to blow up because: "I’m a good person and good things come to people who wait and do good. So, I know my karma is good because I planted good seeds so regardless of whatever I do, I know I’ma prosper in it."

I’m going to be the next: "Big female rapper."

Follow Flo Milli on Instagram and SoundCloud.

Standouts:

"Beef FloMix"

"White Girl Mia"

"She Loves Me Not"

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