R&B Trio FLO Is An Ode to Girl Groups of the Past & A Sign of A Promising Future

By
Kehinde Adejumo
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FLO girl group
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Buzzing girl group, FLO have been on people’s radar ever since their breakout hit “Cardboard Box” back in 2022. Now, with the release of their debut album Access All Areas, they have cemented their place as the R&B girl group of this generation.

All over social media, fans have been raving about the new album, citing it as an ode to R&B groups of the past like Destiny’s Child. One fan echoed this sentiment on X stating:

Another fan shared their belief that the song, “Get It Till I’m Gone” is reminiscent of something Destiny’s Child would have created.

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Before Jorja Douglass, Renée Downer, and Stella Quaresma formed FLO in 2019, the young women came from humble beginnings. Stella was studying music in college and had a job as a waitress for a restaurant. She released some music at this time as a solo artist, but nothing that garnered too much attention. Stella and Renée already knew each other because they went to the same University. Renée majored in music and worked at H&M. Ever since secondary school, the two of them bonded over their love of music. Jorja won “Got What it Takes” which is a UK TV singing competition. Afterward, she was in a different girl group by the time manager Rob Harrison contacted the three women for what would become FLO.

Stella and Renée knew Jorja from social media but they didn’t all meet each other until their audition process. That day a bond was formed. Stella expresses, “We have similar values because we were brought up by single moms, [and] we all like the same music.”

Since then, the R&B girl group has released two EPs, got a Missy Elliott feature, a debut appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, announced their North American Tour, and performed at Coachella.

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During their Coachella performances, the group incorporated songs like En Vogue’s “Don’t Let Go” and Destiny Child’s “Bootylicious,” showing their awareness of the history of girl groups and what’s to come.

FLO is truly one of one as of now. They don’t have any mainstream peers but they still want to be the girl group of this generation. Stella stated in a Teen Vogue interview, “I think we feel like we’re in good company with the girl groups that have come before because we know that we can work hard enough to be seen as one of them one day. There’s definitely girl groups coming, so there’s definitely a resurgence, but we don’t feel nervous about it. We know what we can bring and how hard we work, so it’s quite exciting.”

The girl group takes their inspiration from 90s R&B groups like Destiny’s Child and TLC. What makes the British trio stand out in the music industry is their way of invoking nostalgia while making hits for today’s youth. Renée told PAPER, “Obviously, we are influenced heavily by ’90s R&B but also we are the age of the new school and we are influenced by the new R&B artists as well. We are always trying to push the envelope and see what R&B could be in the future so you’d like to think we could be pioneers for that.”

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FLO Access All Areas album cover

Each member of FLO brings something to the table: Renée sings the lower harmonies and is known for her dance moves. Stella brings soulful energy while, Jorja showcases her powerhouse vocals.

The women of FLO recognize the gap they fill in the industry as there has been a scarcity of popular girl groups over the past decade, especially in R&B. “We’ve had Little Mix, and they were incredible in the pop space. They did what they needed to do,” says Jorja. “But in terms of the R&B space, I can’t even remember the last time there was an R&B girl group in the UK,” says Jorja.

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R&B is making a huge comeback. “I feel like R&B is coming back a bit more now. It’s new for a lot of people, especially the younger generation. They haven’t really had that growing up. Everyone likes something new and fresh, especially if it’s good,” Stella speculates.

What makes FLO so special is that their harmonies are unique. Their coordinated outfits and strong online presence have made an impact on their audience. The energy they bring is reminiscent of the early 2000s, as they have given their flowers to old-school artists like Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Aaliyah, Brandy, and Mary J. Blige.

 

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A post shared by FLO 🪐 (@flolikethis)

When it comes to the future of girl groups, FLO is optimistic they won’t be the only one grabbing people’s attention, as they mentioned to Revolt.

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“We definitely do and hope there are many more girl groups to come. There are loads of new groups coming up already, like PsiRyn, that we’re really excited about — we’re obsessed with their cover of “Sweet Love.” We think that girl groups have always been empowering for all people, and as young girls and even now as young women, we look up to the girl groups that have come before us for inspiration, so we hope that we can continue that tradition,” FLO states.

Speaking about “In My Bag” and working with GloRilla, FLO said: “‘In My Bag’ is such a special song to us as we’re speaking life and greatness into us! It’s a manifestation… singing it live for our fans has been incredible because everyone in the room feels empowered and seen! We’ve been in our bag… and now everyone is too!

GLO is such a deserving, incredibly talented and sweet artist who we really admire. When she said she’d love to do a verse on ‘In My Bag’ we were so happy because we knew she would kill it! We’ve loved working with her and are looking forward to everyone watching the video we shot together in Atlanta.”

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Image Credit:  Tallulah Ballard

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