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WELCOME TO THE ROLLING STONE’S The 2022 Musicians of Musicians Pack, the annual franchise where two great artists come together for a free, open conversation about life and music. Each story from this year’s series will appear in our November 2022 print issue, which will be released on November 1.
“My Capricorn sister!” The shared zodiac sign that serves as a greeting from Latto, 23, to Flo Milli, 22, is just one of the two MCs’ many similarities. Both hail from the Southeast, both have tattoos of their lucky number seven — and neither has ever been to iFly Atlanta, the indoor skydiving venue across the street from the stadium where the Atlanta Braves play. Dressed in a red skydiving suit, Latto reaches for a helmet to complete the look. “You already know my big head needs an extra-large one,” she jokes, and they laugh when Flo asks for the same size.
Flo Milli can remember a time just a few years ago when she felt like fans, critics and the music business were pitting her and Latto against each other as two female rappers on the rise. Now they loudly support each other. Latto, a fan of Flo Milli’s 2022 album, You still here Ho? urges her to play a favorite song that is not on the track list; Flo Milli remembers Latto’s “fluffy hair days” before hits like last year’s “Big Energy,” recalling the inspiration she found in watching a young woman like her flourish in the rap game. The energy in the room is clear: everything is love.
A skydiving instructor interrupts the two mid-conversation to remind them that they really have to skydive today and asks who will go first. For the first time, they disagree, as Lato volunteers, “Oh, Flo will go first.”
Flo Milley: I’m so happy we’re doing this together. Like, I feel like we’re showing that we can actually love and support each other because we need to. And I just want to thank you for supporting me all the time.
Elbow: You know I’m not playing for you. They’re like, “Who’s your favorite peer,” or whatever, and I’m always like, “Flo.” I think you are so talented. You bring something different to the game. And that’s really your Capricorn energy because we’re just boss bitches.
Flo Milley: First I want to give you your flowers. Like doing the things you did. . . many people can’t really say they’ve made them. I’ve been watching you since I think I was 12-
Elbow: What?! Don’t make me feel old.
Flo Milley: Really! When I was younger I was in a rap group and my best friend India told me about you. She said, “Lato girl? Oh, she’s heavy. I think it was when you had your puffy hair. We just watched your videos and I remember watching you grow over the years. Seeing another young female MC actually care about it and have the passion for it. . . Because I feel like a lot of times it’s not that real nowadays.
Elbow: It really isn’t. But I like the fact that when they see us doing it, it’s kind of a domino effect.
Flo Milley: It gives inspiration. And I can remember a few times when they tried to pit us against each other and it’s like the way we build our strength is by resisting that. Actually saying, “No, that’s my sister. I will show you that I support her in front of all of you.” And it’s like, what can you do then?
I think it’s important to do that, especially as young artists coming into the game because everyone comes from different places. People don’t know, every time we did interviews for BET, they were like, “Oh, Lato is showing you love!” We need that sometimes.
Elbow: We all get discouraged and then a little recognition from someone, even if it is your peer or someone much older than you, it just motivates you. I remember seeing Cardi saying that she fucked me.
Flo Milley: How did it feel when you first started getting that notoriety?
Elbow: This junk is still mind blowing. You know, you see my videos and stuff, and I’ve been doing it for a long time. So it’s like the hard work is finally starting to pay off. I’m sure you get people in your DMs, especially when you drop projects. Then it’s like, “Shit, I didn’t know you were listening to me!”
Flo Milley: You were watching! But yeah, girl, all the time. It really, really makes you feel good about your artistry because there’s so much going on behind the scenes that they don’t know about. They just see the product, the happiness, the end result. They don’t see the hard work, the blood, the sweat.
At the end of the day,” says Flo Milli, “You know what’s best for you. You know what a good feeling is. And you know which song will become a hit. You have yourself here.
Elbow: Yes, like when I abandoned my project [777, released this spring], it was so hard to make the clearances. Make sure people get their verses on time. I even had to cut a song from my project that I really wanted on there so much – both me and the artist are cool. Their label just didn’t make it clear, even though we both said, “No, we have a personal relationship outside of that.” That junk is just crazy.
Flo Milley: It’s crazy because nine times out of 10 it’s not the real artist. You never know what it is or where it comes from. That’s another thing we can talk about because even I had to cut some songs off my album.
Elbow: Oh really? Tell us! We want to know what tea is. Tell us something that happened behind the scenes. Nothing messy.
Flo Milley: Of course I had the same problem with permissions and stuff where people wouldn’t try to clear the songs I really wanted. Was it really that or, you know, just a lot of opinions.
Elbow: The opinions. . .
Flo Milley: It’s a lot. I’m still trying to put it together [that song] out, not gonna lie.
Elbow: Sometimes they’re not even messy things, like they’re trying to hold their song or verse. Sometimes it’s the labels. Or they might have their own stuff coming out.
Flo Milley: Yes for sure. Because when you think about it, we’re all so busy doing things. I remember we had to tie and it’s so crazy that we still tied [for this interview]. I think that’s stupid because you know, everything happens for a reason.
I never should have asked you this, but in the beginning [for me] as a new artist. . . it was so fast. I was in college one day and the next day it’s like really seeing your dreams come true. But I felt like there were so many other things I was dealing with as a new artist. The trauma of so many people changing around you, or just the comments or the media. This is something. . . because it’s not talked about enough.
Elbow: And then maintaining your psyche in everything. I remember starting so young. It had this effect on me to the point where I felt somewhat out of place. I thought everyone else knew what was best for me. Almost better for me than I knew what was best for me, you know? So I would listen to too many people. “You gotta rap about it. You should dress like this. You should talk like it, walk like it. I was like, “Shit, I’m not even myself at this point.” I want people to be fans of me — not fans of what you’ve got planned for me.
Now? I’m boring about my career. I know my team will say, “Shut up!” It backfired. Because now everything has to be my way.
Flo Milley: I’m the same way. Because when you’ve lived through things gone wrong, you don’t want to mess around. And when you care about your career, you tend to be like that. At the end of the day, you know what’s best for you. You know what a good feeling is. And you know which song will become a hit. Because you are here. So how is someone going to tell you?
Elbow: Do you have this problem? I’m like, “That’s the song.” And they would be like ‘No’. This is what happened with my last project.
Flo Milley: Yeah, I feel like they really don’t believe us when we say that we really have a relationship with our fans. Like before you became famous, I’m sure you’ll leave music and you know what
would respond to. When you are on the labels, you already know what they like when you cook. It’s like, “They like it when I do this. So let me start doing this more. I think that’s where it comes from.
Elbow: Yeah, I just know my fans already. And then when you’re teasing songs, I know that part of that song is going to make them go crazy. You know your craft better than anyone. I think you’re versatile as hell. I look at you and I really see a superstar. I think you have what it takes to be, as a list, a top bitch. You can sing. I love the changes in your flow.
You know what? I was getting my lashes done the other day and my sister, who also loves you, said, “Flo Millie is on [Big Boss Vette] ‘Snatched’ remix.” I was like “What?! Play!” But my eyes were closed so I just listened and said, “That bitch is eating!” You can hear your growth. And you’re so young – so I think you really have what it takes. You’re young as hell and already catching on so quickly. That’s why I really think you have what it takes. Every time I hear a new song or a new verse it just gets better and better. You play with your voice – you use your voice as an instrument. I am trying to learn this.
I remember starting so young. I thought everyone else knew what was best for me,” says Lato. “Now? I’m boring about my career. Everything has to be my way.
Flo Milley: I really thank you for saying that. The people I grew up listening to are kind of like that. One thing that helped me with that was listening to artists like that. I don’t know who told me that to be the best, you have to learn from the best. That stayed with me. Like, shit. The trick is simply to pick the people – by seeing the great ones. And you just have to analyze what makes them great. “Oh, they did this and this and this.”
But since we’re on the subject, I want to tell you what I love about you. First, you are so beautiful. That’s number one. And I think you have star power just as much as you think that about me.
Elbow: It’s so hard to see yourself as a star.
Flo Milley: Yes, and not to say that I see myself in you, but somehow I am attracted to people who look like me. I respect this guy because I can relate, you know? I feel like we have similar lives musically. When we started rapping, you said you were 10. And I was 11. I was like, “Shit, we had the same little life story.” It’s so crazy because I’m sure you’ve dealt with the need grow up fast . . you don’t play for your business. I think you are a great performer. And every time I see you, you look like you’re ready—like you have great self-control. You know what I’m saying? These are more qualities for a star than just talent.
Elbow: That’s what they don’t know. That’s what they don’t know. It’s deeper than just being able to rap. There are so many other elements to being a star… So you had a song reviewed and it’s not on your album.
Flo Milley: Do you really like this song?
Elbow: Yes! I said to my sister, “That bitch is unbeatable.”
Flo Milley: Do you want to know the truth?
Elbow: You did not like it?
Flo Milley: I feel like I have bad comments about him.
Elbow: I saw it when you first posted it, so I couldn’t see how people were reacting. They don’t respect harmonies and stacks. This thing was so flaming to me – like it just shows your versatility.
Flo Milley: I’ll drop it now.
Elbow: Fuck them. Play with your height and just grow. Don’t let them put you in a box. If you don’t like everyone? It is what it is. I like.
Flo Milley: Period. But it’s real. I’m glad you said that because I definitely wouldn’t touch the song again.
Elbow: No, this thing is fire to me. Don’t scrap them. As a fan, don’t scrap them.
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