Flo Milli and T-Pain transport us back to the strip club in their sultry song “Gripper”.
This track is a confident blend of genres that reinterprets a classic song from the 2000s through a contemporary female perspective. The song on her 2024 album Fine Ho, Stay samples T-Pain’s 2005 song “I’m N Luv (Wit a Stripper),” reinterpreting the original male-focused storyline to convey female empowerment and control over one’s sexuality.
Flo’s lyrics are confident and unapologetic, reclaiming the stripper fantasy and questioning traditional gender expectations. Flo Milli now occupies the spotlight that T-Pain once admired from a distance, assuming the role of both subject and narrator, and she makes clear her independence through confidence and flair. Her overall work aligns with this empowerment narrative, as it consistently promotes self-worth, confidence, and individuality.
T-Pain’s involvement significantly contributes to the nostalgic value of the song, thereby elevating its authenticity. The silky melodies and vocoder tones he uses offer a smooth contrast to Flo Milli’s sharper delivery, resulting in an engaging dynamic. The chemistry between T-Pain and Flo Milli highlights their individual growth and development as artists: T-Pain coming to terms with his past success and Flo Milli building upon her reputation.
Musically, “Gripper” combines elements of early 2000s R&B, trap-influenced drum patterns, and contemporary refinement. The production successfully blends nostalgic elements with modern flair, showcasing Flo Milli’s talent for paying homage to her roots while remaining firmly rooted in the current era.
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