Buckle up ladies and gents as we prepare ourselves for the hot girl summer soundtrack… introduced by no other than reality TV icon Tiffany Pollard AKA the “head bitch in charge” who in true fashion drops some exemplary lines, Flo Milli has returned with the release of her highly anticipated debut album. Following in suit with her head-turning 2020 mixtape ‘Ho, Why Is You Here?’ the US star poses the question ‘You Still Here, Ho ?’ …yes, yes, we are! Reputable for her unapologetic, fearless, and empowering music, Flo Milli continues to flaunt her dexterous flows and fiery pen game, except this time she takes it up a notch.
Stretched across 15 tracks, 17 if you count the pre-released bonus drops, Flo Milli has called on the likes of Rico Nasty, Tiffany Pollard, and BabyFace Ray for assistance. Taking us on a quick trip back to the noughties, ‘You Still Here, Ho?’ encapsulates a nostalgic flare in with a modern-day twist; a seamless mixture of a generation whose deliverance has made many steps alongside paying homage to those who inspire her. Toying with Joseline Hernandez’s reputable phrase from the hit show Love And Hip-Hop on the title, the trailblazer is introduced as the “Princess of this rap shit” before unleashing one of many head-boppers named ‘Come Outside’. Setting the tone with a cut-throat drop as you begin to manoeuvre further into the album Milli places her versatility on a stand for all to hear.
Ultimately, this project is what you’d expect from the breakthrough artist. Topped with whimsical punchlines, her hotshot persona, and reckless energy, Flo Milli pays homage to a slew of essential names including Lil’ Kim, Nelly on ‘On My Nerves’, alongside Junior M.A.F.I.A.’s hit track ‘Get Money’ on ‘F.N.G.M.’. It’s moments like ‘Pretty Girls’ that stand out; underpinned with a guitar-laced instrumental that’s reminiscent of the pop era around 2008, she continues to empower women globally through what I can only describe as bad babe attitude; “This for the girls that wanna have fun, got what I need, and I get what I want,” she says before later rapping “I just wanna go on a whole lotta trips to a whole lotta States / Whole lotta sex and a whole lotta dates”.
Closing out the album on ‘Tilted Halo’ a more laid-back trap approach to the brazen beats we’re more familiar with, Flo Milli attempts to set the record straight with a fellow love interest: “Is this love or lust? / I ain’t really tryna hurt again / And dog you out in front of all your friends / I don’t wanna have to count to ten / And leave your ass cryin’ in a Benz,” she raps. Housing a seductive punch that contrasts with her stand-off intentions, we circle back with Tiffany Pollard with yet another comical line.
Delivering what her fans would expect, it seems as though Flo Milli has found her feet and handed over a selection of fun-filled and ultrafeminine tracks before the summer comes to an end. Broadening and pushing her sound a little further than usual, ‘You Still Here, Ho?’ is a product of youthfulness and empowerment, anyone looking too far into it forgets to acknowledge that Flo Milli is just a 22-year-old woman having fun… the girls that get it get it, the girls that don’t, don’t!
7/10
Words: Elle Evans
