06 May Friday Dance-A-Long: Tinashe and Flo Rida
Friday nights are universally reserved for great music, good company, and even better drinks. After a long work week, the weekend finally arrived, and there was no better place to celebrate than the party at the Ford Stage.
Starting off the evening was Miami’s Joe Galaxy. This blonde charmer took the stage during happy hour to perform his rising tracks and get the crowd’s blood pressure up.
To keep the crowd swaying, up next was singer-songwriter, dancer, actress, and producer Tinashe. This young artist has balanced an impressive career so far. She has released three albums to date, and just dropped a new video for her single, “Flame,” just a few days before serenading SunFest.
The Ford Stage is one hell of a platform, friends. For a solo artist, it’s easy to get swallowed or lost by a stage. But yesterday, Tinashe showed her prowess and confidence by commanding every inch of the Ford Stage. I was very, very impressed by her fierce vocals, choreography, and assurance.
With the help of four darling dancers and a drum kit, Tinashe balanced louder club hits with soulful songs with depth.
In the days and weeks leading up to SunFest, I was listening to Tinashe solo songs, and happened to miss her collaboration with Snakehips and Chance the Rapper on “All My Friends.” I was so pleasantly surprised to hear it live, especially now realizing that that anti-club anthem hinges on the beautiful vocals of this singer.
“I love you guys,” Tinashe told her squealing front row fans. She was sweet, poised, but delivers a kick with her feisty songs. If you haven’t given “Flame” an honest listen, I beg you to throw it on this morning. I’ve had it on repeat since getting back to the Hyatt last night.
Next up was Flo Rida, who I like to think of as our official Florida mascot. This incredible rapper and songwriter is responsible for the beloved hits “Whistle,” “Low,” “Right Round,” and “Wild Ones.” He is my guiltiest pleasure. His songs are the anthem for weekend getaways, girls’ night out, and feeling great in a new pair of jeans.
Flo Rida also knows how to throw a damn party by the beach. Let’s discuss:
Tramar Lacel Dillard, better known as Flo Rida, storms the stage with a crew of beautiful backup dancers. As he slides into his second hit, “In The Ayer,” there is not a still person in the crowd. Everyone is dancing, laughing. This is how the weekend starts!
He then slows down and grabs a handful of gorgeous, red roses. Singing a stripped down, sexy, version of “Where Them Girls At?” Flo begins to hand out the roses to the women in the crowd. The crowd is going wild.
He then twists into “Low,” but cuts it short. Wait, wait, wait, he says.
“Which one of my ladies…” he said, while eyeing the crowd. “…is going to come up on stage with me? It’s Cinco De Mayo! We need to turn up!”
Suddenly, there are dozens upon dozens of women on stage. All of them dancing, Snapchatting, and grooving their way toward Flo Rida. Women are dancing on Flo Rida, grabbing at his jeans, and his is loving every single second of it. It was the party to end all parties.
You can see for yourself:
Flo Rida would continue to invite guests on stage, hoist children out of the crowd, and spray his adoring fans with champagne, glitter, Patron, and money.
Flo Rida’s energy is delightful. He loves making the crowd engage and feel incredibly special. We danced to “G.D.F.R.,” “Good Feeling,” “Club Can’t Handle Me,” and “My House” until we couldn’t feel our legs.