British R&B group FLO have scored a Grammy nomination for Best Progressive R&B Album. Marking a new era for British R&B, the London trio are putting UK girl groups back on the map
Two decades after Floetry put British R&B on the map, another homegrown act is following in their footsteps. FLO have made history after landing their first ever Grammy nomination for Best Progressive R&B Album with their debut project Access All Areas.
The trio – Jorja Douglas, Stella Quaresma and Renée Downer – are the first UK girl group in 20 years to be recognised by the Recording Academy. Their nomination marks a significant moment for British R&B, putting them alongside global names like Sabrina Carpenter, Kaytranada and Justin Bieber.
Formed in 2019 and signed to Island Records, FLO burst onto the scene with their viral debut single Cardboard Box in 2022, a track that spread across social media and caught the attention of Missy Elliott and SZA. Their first EP The Lead and follow-up Access All Areas helped them carve out a sound that blends 90s and early 00s nostalgia with a modern R&B twist.
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It’s also a full-circle moment for UK R&B. The last British female R&B act to receive a Grammy nomination was Floetry – the London duo made up of Marsha Ambrosius and Natalie Stewart who earned several nominations in the early 2000s for songs like Say Yes and Floetic. However, despite Floetry’s success global recognition for UK R&B doesn’t come easy, as many artist have struggled to break through internationally
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Who are FLO?
Behind Flo’s harmonies are three distinct voices – Jorja Douglas was born in Hertfordshire and first gained attention after winning CBBC’s Got what it takes in 2017, a singing competition, she is known for her powerhouse vocals.
Stella Quaresma grew up in Kingston upon Thames, and spent some of her childhood in Mozambique allowing her to draw both British and African influences in her sound, she is recognised for her rich tone and creative direction.
Renee Downer is from North London has been singing since childhood leading her to performing in school choirs before working in retail while chasing her dream and she is known for her warm soulful tone.
The band was formed in 2019 and signed to Island Records, a division of Universal Music Group. Stella and Renée were old acquaintances from their early days in London, while Jorja joined the group following a successful audition.
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The trio spent several months honing their unique sound before releasing ‘Cardboard Box’ – the song that catapulted them into the limelight in 2022, their lyrics resonate with R&B lovers. While their work has drew comparisons they have kept their own image.
Like Floetry, FLO have captured worldwide recognition. The group previously won the BRITs Rising Star Award previously awarded to Adele and Sam Smith becoming the first group ever to take the title. They also were crowned BBC’s Sound of 2023, and now with a Grammy nomination under their belt, it’s clear that they’re making their mark in the music industry.
Their nomination serves as a reminder that the era of girl groups is far from over as the girl group has shown that there’s still plenty of room for R&B to flourish in the UK and two decades on from Floetry, British R&B is being heard again.
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