Flo (group)

FLO (stylised in uppercase) are a British girl group from London consisting of members Jorja Douglas, Stella Quaresma, and Renée Downer. The group formed in 2019 and signed to Island Records, where they released their breakthrough single "Cardboard Box", which preceded their debut extended play, The Lead (2022). Flo later topped the BBC's Sound of 2023 poll, and won the 2023 Brit Award for Rising Star.[4][5]

Flo
FLO performing live in 2023 (left to right: Stella Quaresma, Jorja Douglas, Renée Downer)
Background information
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Years active2019–present
Labels
Members
  • Stella Quaresma
  • Jorja Douglas
  • Renée Downer
Websiteflolikethis.com

Members

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[6]

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.[7] 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.[8]

Jorja Douglas was born in Eastern Germany, before moving to Hertfordshire at eight months old.[6] She grew up listening to R&B music introduced to her by her mother.[8] 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?.[9][10] Prior to being in the group, Douglas worked for an accountancy firm.[8]

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 in H&M on Regent Street.[8]

Career

2019–2022: Formation and EP
Main article: The Lead (EP)

Flo formed in 2019.[11] Quaresma and Downer knew each other having met studying at Sylvia Young Theatre School and discovered Douglas from her singing videos on Instagram.[8] Their debut single, "Cardboard Box", was produced by British record producer MNEK and was released on 24 March 2022 after they signed to Island Records.[12] The song performed well on social media,[13] and weeks later, an accompanying music video followed in April 2022, which amassed 900 thousand views in a few days.[14][15] An acoustic version of the song was released the following month.[16] Also produced by MNEK, their second single "Immature" and its accompanying music video was released in July 2022,[17] ahead of their debut extended play The Lead on 8 July 2022.[18][19] A music video for "Summertime", also produced by MNEK, was released.[20] Flo re-released The Lead in September 2022 along with a promotional single, "Not My Job".[21]

Flo performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! for the first time on 6 October 2022, which was their television debut.[22] They made their UK television debut on Later... with Jools Holland the following month.[23] On 1 November 2022, they was included in Vevo DSCVR's Artists to Watch 2023.[24] They performed their songs "Feature Me" and "Not My Job" on the channel.[25] The same month, they took to social media to announce their upcoming concert tour in North America and Europe during spring 2023.[26][27]

Flo then made their first award show performance at the 2022 MOBO Awards with a medley of the songs "Immature" and "Cardboard Box".[28][29] In December 2022, Flo became the first female group to top the BBC's Annual Sound of... poll and win the Brit Rising Star at the Brit Awards in the same year.[4][5]

2023–present: Upcoming debut studio album

In early January 2023, Flo was featured on "Hide & Seek" by British rapper Stormzy. The song is from the latter's third studio album, This Is What I Mean (2022).[30] In an Apple Music promotional interview with Elton John, Flo revealed that their debut album is expected to be released in 2023, adding that "There sure is. It's going to be amazing".[31]

In late January 2023, Flo joins the line-up of a number of Summer 2023 festivals including: Wireless Festival, Sol Blume, Glastonbury, TRNSMT, Longitude, Isle of Wight and the 2023 Summer Sonic Festival in Osaka, Japan.[32] On 23 March 2023, Flo released the single "Fly Girl", featuring American rapper, singer, songwriter Missy Elliott. The song interpolates Elliott's 2002 single "Work It", plus a new rap from her.[33][34]

On 30 March 2023, Flo embarked on the "Flo Live" tour, which sold out all tickets in North America and Europe.[35] Before heading to their next show in Chicago, they made an appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, performing their single "Fly Girl".[36]

Artistry

Musical style

Flo's style distinctly draws upon classic R&B and hip-hop, particularly from the 1990s and early 2000s. 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.[15]

Influences
Aaliyah in 2000
Amy Winehouse in 2007
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.[37]

Discography

Extended plays
List of extended plays, with selected details
Title Details
Apple Music Home Session: FLO
The Lead
  • Released: 8 July 2022
  • Label: Island, Republic
  • Format: Streaming, digital download, LP
The Lead (Apple Music Up Next Film Edition)
  • Released: 21 September 2022
  • Label: Island
  • Format: Streaming, digital download

Singles
List of singles, showing year released, peak chart positions, and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
UK
[39]		 JPN
Over.
[40]		 NZ
Hot
[41]
"Cardboard Box" 2022 761719 The Lead
"Immature" ———
"Summertime" ———
"Losing You" ——— TBA
"Fly Girl" (featuring Missy Elliott) 2023 38720
"—" denotes a recording that failed to chart, was ineligible for the chart, or was not released.

Guest appearances
List of guest appearances, with year released, other artist(s), and album name
Title Year Other artist(s) Album
"Hide & Seek" (Remix)[42] 2023 Stormzy Non-album remix

Promotional singles
List of promotional single(s), showing year released and album name
Title Year Album
"Not My Job" 2022 The Lead

Tours

Filmography

Television
List of television and films credits
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2022 Jimmy Kimmel Live! Themselves (musical guest) Episode dated 6 October 2022 [22]
Later... with Jools Holland Themselves (musical guest) Episode dated 29 October 2022 [23]
2023 The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Themselves (musical guest) Episode dated 20 April 2023 [36]

Videography

Music videos
List of music videos, showing year released and directors
Title Year Other artist(s) Director(s) Length Ref.
As lead artist
"Cardboard Box" 2022 — LOOSE 2:47 [44]
"Cardboard Box (Acoustic)" Saorla Houston 2:55 [45]
"Immature" Avesta Keshtmand 2:55 [46]
"Summertime" Saorla Houston 3:58 [47]
"Losing You" Meeks and Frost 3:45 [48]
"Fly Girl" 2023 Missy Elliott Tajana Tokyo 3:32 [49]

Awards and nominations
List of Flo's awards and nominations
Award Year Nominee(s)/work(s) Category Result Ref.
BBC Sound of... 2022 Themselves Sound of 2023 Won [5]
BreakTudo Awards "Immature" Anthem of the Year Nominated [50]
Guap Gala Themselves Music Artist to Watch Won [51]
MOBO Awards 2022 Best Newcomer Nominated [52]
Popjustice Twenty Quid Prize 2022 "Cardboard Box" Best British Pop Single Shortlisted [53]
Rated Awards Themselves Female Artist of the Year Nominated [54]
BRIT Awards 2023 Themselves Rising Star Won [4]
Deezer Awards 2023 Artists to Watch Shortlisted [55]
Global Awards 2023 Best Hip-hop or R&B Nominated [56]
Rising Star Won
MTV Europe Music Awards 2023 Best Push Won [57]
Urban Music Awards Best Female Act Nominated [58]
Best Group Nominated
“Cardboard Box” Best Single Nominated
Themselves Most Creative Artist Nominated
Most Inspiring Act Nominated

References
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  2. Phillip, Riann (21 September 2022). "FLO just can't stop making hits: 'We've always held ourselves to a high standard'". gal-dem. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  3. Magnocavallo, Fabio (2022). "Equate meets FLO". Equate. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  4. Savage, Mark (8 December 2022). "Girl band Flo win the Brits rising star award". BBC News. Retrieved 8 December 2022.
  5. Savage, Mark (5 January 2023). "Girl group Flo win the BBC Sound Of 2023". BBC News. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  6. Ackroyd, Stephen (24 March 2022). "Brand new London-based trio FLO have shared their debut single, 'Cardboard Box'". Dork. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  7. Wickes, Jade (12 May 2022). "Could FLO be Britain's next great girl group?". The Face. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  8. "Up Next: FLO" (Podcast). Apple Music. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  9. Stevenson, Amelia (19 June 2017). "Interview with Jorja Douglas at Big Weekend". TresA Magazine. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  10. "Got What It Takes? - The Winner's Story". BBC. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  11. 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.
  12. Keith, James (4 April 2022). "UK R&B Trio FLO Step Out With MNEK-Produced "Cardboard Box"". Complex. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  13. 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.
  14. Murray, Robin (5 April 2022). "UK Girl Group FLO Share 'Cardboard Box' Video". Clash. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  15. Gordon, Lauren (20 April 2022). "FLO: radiant London trio leading the next generation of girl groups". NME. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  16. Kelly, Amelia (8 May 2022). "FLO share acoustic version of their debut "Cardboard Box"". GRM Daily. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  17. June, Sophia (6 July 2022). "Your Next Favorite Girl Group FLO Is About to Debut Their EP". Nylon. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  18. Olaoya, Ezra (8 July 2022). "R&B Trio FLO's Debut Project, 'The Lead', Is An Essential Listen". Complex. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  19. Mier, Tomás (8 July 2022). "FLO Is the R&B Girl Group We Never Knew We Needed". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
  20. Keith, James (17 August 2022). "FLO Take Us On A "Summertime" Trip To Greece In New Video". Complex UK. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
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  24. "Vevo announces DSCVR Artists to Watch for 2023". Frontline. 1 November 2022. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  25. Regina, Cho (29 November 2022). "FLO shares new live rendition of "Not My Job"". Yahoo. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  26. @flolikethis (4 November 2022). "The secret's out, and it's just the beginning…" (Tweet). Retrieved 31 March 2023 – via Twitter.
  27. @flolikethis (25 November 2022). "Selling out our show in less than a minute made us realise we need another date 🤩" (Tweet). Retrieved 31 March 2023 – via Twitter.
  28. Keith, James (17 November 2022). "Kojey Radical, Tion Wayne, Fireboy DML, Cat Burns & FLO To Perform At This Year's MOBO Awards". Complex. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  29. Sinclair, Leah (1 December 2022). "MOBO Awards 2022: Little Simz, Mahalia and more win top prizes". Stylist. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
  30. Shutler, Ali (6 January 2023). "Stormzy shares brilliant FLO remix of 'Hide & Seek'". NME. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  31. Kenneally, Cerys (23 January 2023). "FLO confirmed to Elton John on his Apple Music 1 show Rocket Hour that their debut album is due to arrive this year". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  32. Mamo, Heran (25 January 2023). "Travis Scott, Playboi Carti & D-Block Europe to Headline 2023 Wireless Festival". Billboard. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  33. Ruiz, Matthew Ismael (23 March 2023). "Flo and Missy Elliott Share Video for New Song "Fly Girl": Watch". Pitchfork. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  34. Williams, Sophie (23 March 2023). "FLO team up with Missy Elliott on new single 'Fly Girl'". NME. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
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  40. Peaks on the Billboard Japan Hot Overseas chart:
  41. "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 22 August 2022. Archived from the original on 22 August 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
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  47. "FLO - Summertime (Official Video)" (Music Video). FLO. Retrieved 12 August 2022 – via YouTube.
  48. "FLO - Losing You (Official Video)" (Music video). FLO. Retrieved 15 December 2022 – via YouTube.
  49. "FLO - Fly Girl ft. Missy Elliott (Official Video)" (Music video). FLO. Retrieved 23 March 2023 – via YouTube.
  50. Nicolau, Analice (22 November 2022). "BreakTudo Awards 2022: Gabi Martins, Julies e Viegas e Manola se apresentam na premiação". Jornal de Brasília (in Portuguese). Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  51. Smith, Letty-Rose (9 October 2022). "The winners from The Guap Gala 2022". Guapmag. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
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  53. "The 2022 Popjustice Twenty Quid Music Prize: shortlist". Popjustice. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  54. Grein, Paul (24 October 2022). "2022 GRM Rated Awards Nominations: Full List". Billboard. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  55. Amos, Madeleine (25 November 2022). "Who are the biggest artists on Deezer in 2022?". RouteNote. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
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  58. "Chris Brown wins big at 2023 Urban Music Awards". Music News. 1 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
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