It’s hard to not like Flo-Rida. Between his hit records, his positive messages, and his heart wrenching story of his rough times before rap superstardom you just want to root for him. If you did root for him, it looks like it worked out for the best because with 4.5 million downloads plus 500,000 CD’s sold in the United States and internationally, Flo-Rida is just about the biggest thing in hip-hop.

His single “Low” is not only a constant staple on radio stations and dance floors across the world but a historic song as it is the highest selling digital download of all time. Say what you will, Flo-Rida has accomplished a lot in a short amount of time. And the fact is, he doesn’t mind if you records and you can’t go wrong with that. Sixshot.com caught up with Flo-Rida to discuss the Nelly comparisons, people who say his album flopped, and how life has changed since “Low”.

Aight man, you broke all kind of sales records digitally. Did you ever think the record was going to take off to that extent?

I mean I knew when I was recording it that it was a big record so I knew it would be successful but I don’t think I can say that I expected it to be of this magnitude or anything.

I’ve been arguing with people all week so clear this up for me. A lot of people are saying that the success you had digitally didn’t match your physical sales. My argument was that you’re selling internationally and digitally as well. Am I right?

The story is this. If people really wanna pay attention and check the record sales they could see that I’m international and I’m almost at 500,000 records sold.

Mail on Sunday is a real solid album. It seems like every single joint on there could be a single. Was that intentional?

Definitely man, I mean I do what I do because I love it but I always try to make hit records. Overall, my goal is to make hit records and I think I accomplish that.

You worked with a lot of big name producers for this album like Timbaland. What were those experiences like for you?

I’ve always been a real big fan of these guys and just to get in the studio with them is crazy. When I got in the studio with Timbaland it was a monumental moment. I was recording in the same studio where him and Jay-Z recorded “Dirt Off Ya Shoulder”. He’s an icon and I’ve always been such a big fan that it was just like a dream come true for me.

I see you and Rick Ross together a lot and you guys are two of the biggest hip-hop stars from Florida. Would you say that the hip-hop scene is real close knit down there?

Oh most definitely. We just show a lot of love and keep it real creative on the music side. Any one who has talent and is a part of this movement we always show them love and we look forward to seeing talented new artists. I’ve been blessed to be a part of it so most definitely. We always make sure that we stick up for each other and things like that.

People have compared you to Nelly even going as far as calling you the new Nelly. What’s your opinion on those comparisons?

To me it’s all good. I think if you wanna be a great leader you gotta be a great follower. It’s all good. I got no problems with it.

You have a unique sound and overall you’re a very creative artist. Who are some artists who influenced you musically?

Run-DMC, LL Cool J, Eric B and Rakim, 2 Live Crew, Poison Clan, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, and Aretha Franklin are all people that influence me heavily. I love Michael Jackson. I love the whole persona of the Fat Boys. I was always a fan of Heavy D. N.W.A was definitely an inspiration to me musically as well.

You operated as an independent artist and now you’re a superstar so you’ve seen hip-hop from a lot of angles. Did you ever thing that the South would be in this position of extreme power that it’s in now?

Man, to tell you the truth I would say no. I think everybody eventually gets a chance though and that’s a good thing. We’re definitely not taking this position for granted right now at all.

At first Atlanta was at the head of the pack in terms of the South but it seems like Florida has taken that over. Do you feel that way?

I would say most definitely. I mean if you look at your television or open a magazine you can see it. If you listen to the music you can hear it. We’re here.

Your album doesn’t feel like it had a formula to it. You didn’t make one chick song, one street song, one party song, and one emotional song. It seems like you just made the album they way it felt right for you. Is that the case?

I just make records man, that’s it, I make records. We have a bunch of records and we pick the hottest ones, that’s all it is. It was all me. Some of the records that I wanted on the album didn’t make the cut but it’s all good because it’s all me.

You and T-Pain had a huge single together with "Low". What’s it like working with him?

Pain is a genius and a perfectionist. He loves music and he loves his craft. Working with him was just great. This is the biggest single that he’s ever had and myself also so it was just cool. And us being from Florida, you know it’s just the Florida movement. I’ve been a fan of him prior to all of the success that he’s had as a signed artist. He was in a group that had like 7 dudes in it. I remember watching a show and it’s funny because I was thinking to myself that Pain was the hottest one and he was really standing out. So just working with him is an honor.

You tour all over the place. Does “Low” always get that crazy reaction?

All the time man, every single time and you even hear the ringtones man. It’s just crazy.

You’re an extreme success. Did everything kinda come fast to you?

Not at all man, this is 12 years in the making. It was a lot of hard work and struggle. There were times when I was trying to figure out how I would get the next meal on the table or where I would rest my head for the night. It was all because I had a dream and I kept my eye on the prize. Until I reached that goal I wasn’t gonna stop.

When it actually hit….

I was just like Thank God.

Are there still times where you can’t believe what’s going on?

Every day, every single day. Even doing this interview right now. I’m just here looking at a Sister 2 Sister magazine, it’s just crazy.

We know the fans love you but how has the industry responded to you?

It’s been a lot of love man. People are showing me a lot of love and they’re amazed that I’m not short and that I’m tall. (Laughs) They’ve been showing me a lot of love and you get what you put out. That’s what you receive and a lot of dudes don’t put out respect but I do so I expect the same.

I’ve always wondered and who better to ask than a guy, who’s broken records, do artists make good money off the digital downloads?

Most definitely man, most definitely. You could definitely capitalize off of that. I’m almost at four and a half million at this point and life is good since that.

You’ve accomplished a lot in hip-hop but ultimately as far as your career goes, what is it that you want to accomplish?

I want people to know that Flo-Rida is definitely here to stay and I definitely wanna give someone else a chance. I was given a chance so the greatest thing for me would be to put someone else on.

Anything besides the album that you’re working on that we should check for?

Mail On Sunday is in stores now. My next album is coming out in December. People can check me on myspace at www.myspace.com/officialflo. My personal website is www.officialflow.com. You can check me at the Atlantic records website. If you go to my Myspace you can call me on my cell phone at 305-528-2786. I wanna thank the fans for making me number one and supporting me on my album.