Ho, Why Is You Here?
Ho, Why is You Here? (stylised as Ho, why is you here ?) is the debut mixtape by American rapper Flo Milli, released on July 24, 2020 through RCA Records. All songs were written by Flo Milli alongside their producers. It peaked at number 78 on the Billboard 200.[3] The mixtape produced five singles: "Beef FloMix", "In the Party", "Not Friendly", "Like That Bitch", and "Weak".
Ho, Why Is You Here? | |
---|---|
Mixtape by | |
Released | July 24, 2020 |
Genre | |
Length | 29:56 |
Label | RCA |
Producer |
|
Singles from Ho, Why Is You Here? | |
|
Background
Prior to the release of Ho, Why Is You Here?, Flo rose to prominence following two of the mixtape's singles, "Beef FloMix" (a rework of 2015's "Beef" by Playboi Carti and Ethereal) and "In the Party", going viral online, specifically on the social media platform TikTok, which led to her signing to RCA Records.[4][5][6] In an interview with Respect., Flo Milli said:
"This project is introducing a revamped newer me. A newer version of myself that I’m still discovering. This phase of me comes with an ego and an attitude. This is setting the tone for what I have to come in the future, I want everyone to feel the energy I'm coming with."
In June 2020, Flo Milli revealed the release date and title of Ho, Why Is You Here?.[7]
Singles
The mixtape's lead single, "Beef FloMix", was originally released in October 2018 and later re-released on April 1, 2019 after being picked up by RCA Records, reaching number two on Spotify's Viral 50 Chart.[8][9] The song gained traction after being used in a number of Instagram edit videos, peaking in popularity due to its use in TikTok videos after her manager paid user Michael Pelchat (also known as Nice Michael) $200 to use the song in one of his videos.[10][11] A music video for the song was released on July 24, 2019.
"In the Party", the second single from the mixtape, was released on October 28, 2019 with an accompanying music video. In January 2020, Flo Milli performed a live mashup of "Beef FloMix" and "In the Party" for Audiomack's "Fine Tuned" series, and performed "In the Party" again in March 2020 during a Vevo Ctrl. Live Session.[12] "In The Party" also gained attention on TikTok.[13]
A third single, "Not Friendly", had previously been released via Flo Milli's Soundcloud in late 2018 and was re-released through RCA Records on March 31, 2020.[14] An animated music video for the track was released on May 6, 2020.[15]
"Like That Bitch", the fourth single from the tape, was released on June 19, 2020, and was advertised by Spotify on a billboard in Times Square.[16] A music video for the track, directed by Sara Lacombe, was released on July 10, 2020, and was named the best music video of July 2020 by Pitchfork.[17][18]
"Weak", the fifth single from the mixtape, was released on July 10, 2020. The single samples the SWV song of the same name.[19] The music video was premiered on the morning of the mixtape's release date.[20] A Vevo Ctrl. Live Session performance of the song, "at home" edition due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, was released on August 14, 2020.[21]
Critical reception
Aggregate scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Album of the Year | 80/100[22] |
Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | |
Exclaim! | 9/10[2] |
PopMatters |
Upon release, Ho, Why Is You Here? received generally positive reviews. In a 9/10 review, Teodor Zetko of Exclaim! wrote, "On Flo Milli's new mixtape Ho, why is you here ?, the 20-year-old viral sensation spits out the cadence of a refined rapper met with the flow of the campy, young rising star she is."[2] Steffanee Wang of Nylon called it "a burst of attitude and unbridled fun."[24] Nick Malone of PopMatters wrote similarly in a 7/10 review that the album was "fun, in its purest and most undiluted form", and wrote, "Ho, Why Is You Here? shares DNA with Playboi Carti's Die Lit: an effortlessly curated, expertly engineered portal into a world of cash, confidence, and your hair to your ass."[1] Writing for The Ringer, Micah Peters called the mixtape "not only cool but sort of radical" in regards to her "brash, magnetic alter ego", stating, "Though Ho, Why Is You Here? clocks in at 30 minutes, it is worth at least two hours of your time," adding, "There's something playful and implacable about her delivery. It's not quite like anything else."[25]
In a review for Uproxx, Wongo Okon called Flo Milli's confidence on the mixtape "infectious", adding that, "With her debut project, Ho, Why Is You Here? the 19-year-old Alabama native has no plans to be anything besides her most authentic self and flaunt it enthusiastically for the world to savor."[26] BrooklynVegan's Andrew Sacher wrote, "She doesn't seem like she'll be a one or two or three hit wonder -- those already-viral singles ["Beef FloMix" and "In the Party"] are great, but the rest of Ho, Why Is You Here? is just as instantly satisfying."[27] Robyn Mowatt of Okayplayer also praised the mixtape, saying, "In total, her debut epitomizes where female hip-hop is headed. Though she's only 20, Flo Milli passionately shares a glimpse into her sex-positive and amusing life. Ho, Why Is You Here? serves as a wake-up call to the industry."[28]
In a less positive review, Vulture writer Hunter Harris called it an "imperfect debut", writing that "Some songs rely too much on naïve brags Flo Milli doesn't seem ready to commit to; others sound rushed and half finished, with beats she's advanced beyond. But at least a few capitalize on what has positioned her as the first rapper to make it out of Mobile in a meaningful way in some time or pop from TikTok alone."[6] Vulture later listed the mixtape as one of the Best Albums of 2020 (So Far) soon after their initial review was published.[29] Writing for Pitchfork, Alphonse Pierre wrote, "The tape is not quite as good as I hoped it would be—I'm not sure if there's anything better than her TikTok hits 'Beef Flomix' and 'In the Party,' or her punking-dudes anthem 'Weak'—but that's mostly because of the generic beats on tracks like 'Not Friendly' and 'Scuse Me'."[30]
Track listing
Credits adapted from Apple Music and Tidal.[31][32]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Mood Everyday (Intro)" |
| Yung Tago | 0:51 |
2. | "Beef FloMix" |
| Ethereal | 2:28 |
3. | "Like That Bitch" |
| J. White Did It | 3:23 |
4. | "In the Party" |
| Raesam | 2:17 |
5. | "Pockets Bigger" |
| Yung Glizzy | 1:46 |
6. | "Weak" |
| J. White Did It | 2:36 |
7. | "Send the Addy" |
| XaviBeatz | 2:12 |
8. | "19" |
| Shane Parker | 2:24 |
9. | "May I" |
| Versatile | 2:43 |
10. | "Pussycat Doll" |
| WizzerOnDaBeat | 2:40 |
11. | "Not Friendly" |
| Whoismike | 3:55 |
12. | "Scuse Me" |
|
| 2:44 |
Notes
- "Weak" samples the song of the same name, as performed by SWV and written by Brian Alexander Morgan.[19]
- "May I" interpolates the song "Gin and Juice", as performed and written by Snoop Dogg and produced by Dr. Dre.
Charts
Chart (2020) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Billboard 200[3] | 78 |
References
- Malone, Nick (July 28, 2020). "Flo Milli Bottles Pure "Bad Bitch" Energy on 'Ho, Why Is You Here?'". PopMatters. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- Zetko, Teodor (August 5, 2020). "Flo Milli's Confidence Is Infectious on Debut Mixtape 'Ho, why is you here ?'". Exclaim!. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Ho, Why Is You Here ? by Flo Milli - Billboard 200 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- George, Rachel. "Flo Milli delivers her debut EP, 'Ho, Why Is You Here?' - Music News - ABC News Radio". ABC News Radio. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- Yoo, Noah. "8 Albums Out This Week You Should Listen to Now". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- Harris, Hunter (July 30, 2020). "Flo Milli Summer". Vulture. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- Rashed, Ayana (June 20, 2020). "Flo Milli Releases New Track "Like That Bitch" — Announces 'Ho, Why Is You Here?' EP Due In July via RCA Records". RESPECT. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- Leight, Elias (June 6, 2019). "TikTok Proved It Can Make Hits -- Its Next Test Is Creating Stars". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- Seabrook III, Robby (August 29, 2019). "The Break Presents: Flo Milli". XXL Mag. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- Reneau, Steven (May 24, 2019). "Flo Milli Breaks Down The Meaning Of "Beef FloMix"". Genius. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- Leight, Elias (June 11, 2020). "Want a TikTok Hit? Have $30,000?". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- Varan, Brendan (January 8, 2020). "Watch Flo Milli Perform "In The Party" & "Beef FloMix" for Fine Tuned". Audiomack. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- Haylock, Zoe (July 24, 2020). "Flo Milli Keeps Her Mind on Her Money in 'Weak' Music Video". Vulture. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- Holland, Cole (April 21, 2019). "Alabama Based Rapper Flo Milli Drops "Beef FloMix"". Respect My Region. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- "Flo Milli Is 'Not Friendly' In Her Brand New Music Video". Def Pen. May 7, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- Rashed, Ayana (June 20, 2020). "Flo Milli Releases New Track "Like That Bitch" — Announces 'Ho, Why Is You Here?' EP Due In July via RCA Records". RESPECT. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- Torres, Eric. "The 8 Best Music Videos of July 2020". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- Powell, Jon (July 10, 2020). "Flo Milli delivers new video for "Like That B***h"". REVOLT. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- Powell, Jon (July 27, 2020). "Flo Milli samples an SWV classic in "Weak" video". REVOLT. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- Haylock, Zoe (July 24, 2020). "Flo Milli Keeps Her Mind on Her Money in 'Weak' Music Video". Vulture. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- "Flo Milli - Weak (Live Session) | Vevo Ctrl.At.Home - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
- "Flo Milli - Ho, why is you here ?". Album of The Year. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- Thomas, Fred. "Ho, Why is You Here? Review". AllMusic. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- Wang, Steffanee. "Taylor Swift & Flo Milli's New Albums Spawned So Many Memes". Nylon. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- Peters, Micah (July 28, 2020). "Flo Milli Is Here. Get Used to It". The Ringer. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- Okon, Wongo (July 29, 2020). "Flo Milli 'Ho, Why Is You Here?' Review: Dose Of Infectious Confidence". UPROXX. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- Sacher, Andrew (July 24, 2020). "Stream Flo Milli's debut project 'Ho, why is you here?'". BrooklynVegan. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- Mowatt, Robyn. "Alabama Rapper Flo Milli Drops Debut Mixtape 'Ho, Why Is You Here?'". Okayplayer. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- Jenkins, Craig (August 5, 2020). "The Best Albums of the Year (So Far)". Vulture. Retrieved August 13, 2020.
- Pierre, Alphonse. "The Best and Worst of Rap This Week: The Arrival of Flo Milli and More". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Ho, why is you here ? by Flo Milli". Apple Music. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- "Flo Milli - Ho, why is you here ?". Tidal. Retrieved August 9, 2020.