THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
When I was asked to review Flo Rida at the OVO Arena Wembley my first thought was, my 21 year old son will definitely come with me. Not too familiar with Flo Rida, I asked my son what genre of music he is and he was unable to categorize perhaps because the music has a rare cross over — not just Rap, not just Pop, not just Hip Hop — which makes him widely loved. Hailing from Florida and noting his fast-flow style of rapping is how he chose his name.
As we arrived at the venue the staff were exceptionally well trained and approached us asking where we were seated and directed us. Very unusual for a London venue. Inside the staff monitored people, asking if they needed assistance, and as the show heated up they offered free cups of water to the people in the dance area. Was this a request of the band or Wembley's choice? Either way it was an added convenience.
Ahead of Flo Rida, the warm up DJ primed the audience and had everyone on their feet utilizing the two massive standing areas. On to the main act. Flo Rida kicked off bombastically, holding an electric vivacity throughout the entire show and encouraging the audience to participate which magnified the experience. He wore a red diamante crystal belt, and had a neon microphone stand, not expected rapper-wear and very nice on the eyes. Somehow I knew nearly every song but had never known the artist's name, and it seemed to be the soundtrack to the last 15 years. We were on our feet the entire show, it felt like an old school concert, singing and dancing to real musicians including a phenomenal drummer and bass player, and rocking good guitar solos.
Patron tequila shots were poured and shared with lucky concert goers in the front dance area and American money (fake, presumably) was thrown into the audience. The performers worked all sides of the stage to reach the audience. The back up dancers were not overly-choreographed and each one was given a highlight moment to show off. They invited girls who were having a birthday onto the stage and gave them microphones allowing them to sing and twerk. Later the lads were invited up and Flo Rida gave one the pleasure of wearing his leather, crystal studded vest and taking to the mic to sing — he recognized the value of the fandom connection.
Flo Rida played his big hit 'Low' which surely received the loudest roar. Then onto more hits 'Right Round' (a nod to the band Dead or Alive) and 'Whistle'; just what the audience wanted. He rolled out the song, 'Cake,' on which he had collaborated with rapper 99 Percent, and the audience clearly knew it. Then came a cameo appearance by the British DJ and 'Afrowave' artist Afro B, who took to the stage performing his song, 'Drogba (Joanna)'. He also rolled out philosophical messages such as, 'Purpose is the most important thing,' and 'Jesus Christ is the thing' to big cheers.
As David Bowie sang, "Let the children lose it, Let the children use it, Let all the children boogie."
They did, and thank heavens they still do, just now with mobile phones.
