We are here with one of the most talented up and coming rappers out of North Miami Beach, Florida, Flokid. He gave us some insight on what got him into the rap game, and how he plans to continue down his path of success. Check it out below!
BigTmusic.com: It’s a pleasure linking up, Flokid. First things first, how has Miami been treating you?
Flokid: Miami has been great. Lived here all my life. Even though I find interest in other cities to expand with my career, Miami will always be home.
BigTmusic.com: Miami is a nice place to call home, so we feel you there. So, when did you start rapping?
Flokid: I started rapping early 2009. Music always played a major role in my everyday life. I remember back in elementary school pretending to be The Hot Boyz and rapping on the bus during field trips, or, in high school before my basketball games listening to Lil Jon to get me hype!
BigTmusic.com: We see you’ve released quite a few mixtapes, and some banging singles since as well. How has the success from your music been?
Flokid: It isn’t quite a success yet to be honest, but I truly have progressed. Referring back to my first mixtape, The Transition, where I was testing the waters and trying to see where I stand. Now I have projects like “Live Life” and “Freestyle Freedom” where the growth is apparent and the future is bright.
BigTmusic.com: What is your thought process before making a song or starting a project?
Flokid: If it’s a project, I come up with a concept first then listen to a collection of beats. If it’s a song it’s vice versa, I listen to a beat first then come up with a concept. Or, on random days I have ideas of track titles that just pop up in my head, so I write them down for future references.
BigTmusic.com: Makes sense. Every project , there is always noticeable growth as an artist for you. What are some of your goals musically, and what do you think your peak will be in your career?
Flokid: I’m trying to expand my music on a national level. That’s my goal! Some people say I maybe settling, why not push international but then again it’s all about the music and the listeners. I’m just here to create a bigger buzz with my art and gain more fans.
BigTmusic.com: What is your favorite project and song that you’ve worked on or completed?
Flokid: All of them. In that case, I would have never released them lol!
BigTmusic.com: You have a unique sound and style to your music as opposed to rappers currently on mainstream radio. Who are your musical influences?
Flokid: J.Cole, Nas, Kendrick Lamar, Lauryn Hill, and Lil Wayne for the most part. There’s more I love listening to but those are the ones that were most influential.
BigTmusic.com: That’s a powerful line up you just named. Out of those five artist that you named, what are a few of the songs from them that get an automatic repeat when you hear them on your sound system?
Flokid: Wow that’s tough but I’ll say J.Cole’s “Lights Please”, Nas’s “Surviving The Times”, Kendrick Lamar “Sing About Me; I’m Dying of Thirst”, Lauryn Hill’s “That Thing”, Lil Wayne’s “Birdman Jr.”.
BigTmusic.com: If you got the call you dreamed of inviting you on to a cypher track with J. Cole, Nas, Kendrick, and Wayne, how would you mentally prepare your verse?
Flokid: I would have to be focused more than ever on them sixteen bars. Less excited and more aggressive lol. That would be a dream come true to be going bar for bar with the greats!
BigTmusic.com: We see you all over the internet and social media. How has the internet helped your music career?
Flokid: It has helped in many ways. It’s an easier outlet for supporters to reach you and listen/buy/download your music. They can see how you move on a daily basis and just get to know you as a person.
BigTmusic.com: True. People do get to know you on a personal level with the help of social media. You’ve been known to have some of the hottest production, music videos, and guest features on your projects. Do you have a team behind you making these decisions, or are you the mastermind behind putting together these amazing projects?
Flokid: I’m the mastermind. Solo dolo! Beat selection, music/video releases, any and everything is my decision.
BigTmusic.com: Wow! That’s pretty impressive considering the quality and amount of conceptual videos you’ve already released. With that being said, what is your favorite FloKid video and why?
Flokid: Again, all of them lol. If they weren’t, I wouldn’t have released them. Of course, some qualities are better than others because I’ve dealt with many directors. But I still love them all, for the simple fact you can see the progress.
BigTmusic.com: That’s good that you put your all into a project so that when it’s all said and done, you can call them all your favorite. Are there any artist or producers out there that you haven’t worked with yet that you wouldn’t mind collaborating with?
Flokid: Of course. Locally there’s many artists; too many to actually name. The producers I would like to work with is Cool and Dre and Reazy Renegade.
BigTmusic.com: On a different note; this past year, you lost your brother. Those who know you, know that you two were really close. How has that affected your music and hobbies?
Flokid: That was my right hand man. One of the first small groups of people to support my music. His death made life at times feel incomplete. I wanted to stop doing music once he passed, but I was encouraged by friends and family to keep it going and to go even harder for him. I’ve been taking many losses in life but I feel like my brother and God have something so great in the works for me.
BigTmusic.com: Sorry to hear that homie. Do you think what happened made you grow as an artist?
Flokid: It made my hunger and passion grow. Opened my eyes and made me realize that life really ain’t promised. Wake up every day and try to grasp your dreams before it’s too late.
BigTmusic.com: We see you released a song dedicated to your brother called “Long Live Joz” that has been getting plenty of attention online. What was the driving the force into you recording a song, and when did you decide you wanted to release it?
Flokid: I just felt like expressing my feelings to the masses. I know there’s people out there who’s been, or is going through a similar situation. I decided to release the record when I felt like it was necessary in October.
BigTmusic.com: That’s a good point. Much props to you for staying strong thru that difficult time. Let’s talk about your hood, NMB (North Miami Beach). There has been a ton of buzz coming out of NMB. Who are some of the big artist out of there?
Flokid: First and foremost myself, the NMB Savior! Of course I have to show love to my boys DZ The Rapper, Bundles, Zoey Dollaz, Rich Double, Uno, NMB Stunnaz (Free EB Da Iceman), KidZoe, BMoney. There’s a new dude, Hoodie he’s pretty dope as well.
BigTmusic.com: The lineup out of your hood looks really solid. Speaking of Zoey Dollaz, we heard a song with you and him called “3rd Degree” that is a straight banger! How did that collaboration come about, and will there be a video?
Flokid: The collaboration was just necessary. His hunger and versatility lyrically just match mines. I’m indecisive right now as far as a music video for the record, but then again you never know what I have up my sleeves.
BigTmusic.com: If there were one thing you could change about the industry, what would it be?
Flokid: Nothing. Leave it just the way it is. Well, the only thing would be for the labels to give artists the money that’s earned, instead of putting them on contracts that they would have to sell their soul to get out of.
BigTmusic.com: Thanks for the interview Flokid! It was a pleasure and very enlightening. Any shout outs?
Flokid: No problem it was a pleasure. Thank God always for blessing me with a creative talent to reach the masses. One time for NMB, Dade County! I love my city to the death of me!
Twitter: @flokid88
IG: @flokid88
YouTube: @88flokid
Soundcloud: @flokid
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Flokid love the music you’re doing. Great interview from BigTMusic…Tucky NUFF respect… 100%… from Lolo at maddhott.com…