Born on September 17, 1979, as Tramar Dillard, Flo Rida grew up in Carol City, a tough neighborhood in Miami, raised by his single mother. Music played a crucial role in keeping him focused, influenced by his father's musical talents and the diverse sounds introduced by his sisters, some of whom formed a local gospel group. During his teenage years, he found success rapping with the Groundhoggz crew and later became the hype man for Fresh Kid Ice from 2 Live Crew.
Flo Rida's journey took him to Los Angeles where he collaborated with DeVante Swing of Jodeci fame for a few years. Despite his efforts, he couldn't secure a record deal and returned home to Miami. It was there that he connected with Poe Boy Entertainment, led by CEO Elric ''E-Class'' Prince, in late 2006. Signing with Atlantic Records that December marked a turning point in his career.
In 2009, he co-founded Strong Arm, a management company, with his longtime friend and manager, Lee ''Freezy'' Prince. Their success led them to establish their own record label, IMG, in June 2011. Alongside his musical achievements, Flo Rida returned to his community roots by launching ''Big Dreams For Kids,'' a nonprofit foundation dedicated to inspiring future leaders.