Introducing Flo The Soda Can Man

By Souleo Hip-hop takes itself way too seriously. It's a genre known for going from one extreme to the other. You're either a thug or a socially conscious rapper with one fist in the air, but thankfully there is a new breed of hip-hoppers breaking through the mold and offering alternatives. One such rising talent that is expanding the mainstream representation of hip-hop is Philly native, Flo The Soda Can Man. Yeah, that's his name and it's only a hint at his quirky and creative nature. With his lively performances (he recently opened for veteran hip-hop group, Cypress Hill), dexterous rhyming and singing skills and electric charisma he is generating buzz and being compared to De La Soul meets Cee-Lo. His EP, D.U.I. (Dancing Under the Influence) arrives on Dec. 2^nd and his track, "Sauced Up" is on sale now.

Get to know the hype below as JimmyJazz.com discovered how he got his unique name, starving for his art, fans that want his sweaty T-shirts and more.

On how soda cans inspired his name:

My father gave me the name Flo when I first started. My lyrics sucked but my delivery was there. Then when I went to college I made bracelets out of soda cans. There was this kid who called me the soda can man and it stuck with me ever since.

On being a starving artist, literally:

When I went to school in Florida for 3 years I was dead broke poor. There were days when I would just not eat for weeks. I was 250 lbs and went down to 165 lbs. Those were sad times but that's drive and determination. We weren't getting paid for shows or nothing I learned to be grateful 'cause even though it was a tough time I learned how to be a hustler and to not let time pass by. If you can do something today do it; don't put it off until tomorrow.

On giving away his sweaty shirts at live shows:

I sweat profusely on stage. So one day this guy came up to me and gave me $20 so that I could give his girlfriend my shirt. I gave it to them for free so that was the wildest thing that's happened to me.

On keeping his music universal:

In high school I never had enemies. I was cool with all races, the geeks, and the jocks. So I don't speak for just one specific crowd. I talk about the main things we go through like hardship, break-ups, losing a job or losing someone. Those are things that everybody goes through and can relate to.

For more information please visit:

www.myspace.com/flothesodacanman

or follow: @flothescm