Girl group Flo on entering into their ‘bombastic, confident, strong’ era

Following their first Mobo Award win for best R&B/Soul act, the London-based trio Flo are diving back into their musical endeavors. The group, comprising Jorja Douglas, Renée Downer, and Stella Quaresma, share with BBC Newsbeat that they’re already focused on the next challenge. “We’re right back into it because we’ve got more to achieve,” they explain.

Currently, Flo are making headlines with their latest hit, “Leak It,” a track that centers on self-empowerment and has rapidly climbed the charts. The catchy melody has also ignited a viral dance trend, appearing frequently on social media platforms. The accompanying music video, which blends staged photoshoots with energetic choreography, has already attracted over eight million views on YouTube since its release three weeks ago.

“It’s been phenomenal. It’s growing so quickly,” Downer remarks. “We’ve never seen such an internet frenzy towards one of our music videos and songs, so it’s really nice.”

Quaresma highlights the song’s message, encouraging listeners to embrace their confidence in all forms. “If you look good, if you feel good, as you should queen,” she says. The trio has been experimenting with different musical styles recently, but “confidence and feeling good” is a recurring theme in their work. Quaresma adds, “I’ve got a new word, it’s bombastic. Bombastic, confident, strong.”

The group initially rose to prominence with their 2022 debut single, “Cardboard Box,” which showcased their polished harmonies and bold lyrical style. This earned them the BBC’s Sound Of 2023 title and the first Brits Rising Star award for a band. Later, the track “Fly Girl,” featuring a guest appearance from US rapper Missy Elliot, made its way into the UK Singles Chart’s Top 40.

After a lengthy wait of over 18 months, their 2024 debut album, “Access All Areas,” was released, achieving a remarkable number three position in the UK Album Charts. It also secured a Grammy nomination for best progressive R&B album, making them the first British girl group to receive such recognition in two decades. However, the singles released since then haven’t had the same chart impact, prompting the group to aim for a strong comeback.

“We had to. We had to come this time,” Quaresma states. “We love to improve, we love constructive criticism, we love developing, like we’ve been developing our whole lives.”

Despite the pause in activity, the group emphasizes their continuous evolution. “When it comes to things like our live performances, I feel like we’ve had enough experience to be like: ‘That didn’t work guys,’ ” Douglas says. They’re now preparing for their new era, including a performance at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Sunderland next month.

“I love how Big Weekend is always in a place that you wouldn’t expect,” Quaresma adds. “I feel like that’s good. Let’s bring people to the places that don’t get any love. She says the group are excited as she feels ‘Northerners get down, for sure’.”

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