“Low” by Flo Rida (ft. T-Pain)
The Dirty South is the geographical region of the United States from where stripper music originated in hip-hop. No one can quite appreciate strippers the way southern rappers can. Indeed, the strip club is a place where you can even find true love for the night. And at the end of the day, you never really know who you’re going to meet there.
For instance, in the first verse, we find Flo Rida admiring a lady just as much for her choice in drinks as her body. But of course it is the looks which are most important and, as implied, the ability to put them to good twerking use. In fact if her performance proves inspirational enough, the “shawty” would be the recipient of big tips from the vocalist. Moreover he is able to sleep with the one(s) he chooses, since Flo has the monetary resources to do so.
And it is upon that very notion that the second verse commences. Most simply put, the main vocalist is using his wealth to invite desired women home. Or put even more simply, yes dear reader, he does seem prepared to pay for it, big money in fact. Or at least ‘that’s what he tells her’ in the name of seduction. Indeed by the end of the second verse, he seems to allude to something like cheating her or cutting her off in some other kind of way.
But sometimes too, the women get the best of him. This is the assertion Rida makes at the beginning of the third verse – some of them being so good at their craft that before he knows it, he’s been milked. And it’s not like he’s beefing about it but rather applauding an exemplary performance. So in closing, Flo Rida buttresses the idea that he really enjoys a good stripper-inspired experience.
Relatedly, as far as the chorus goes, T-Pain is not singing about being in an actual relationship. Rather he’s appreciating a certain shawty in the club who is, let’s say twerking her ass off. And such is ultimately what the term ‘getting low’, upon which said chorus is based, is meant to point to. So this isn’t a sex song in the truest sense of the word, but it is a sexualized one. Or as put forth earlier, this track exhibits a high level of gratitude for women who are willing and able to ‘get low’.
“Low” Facts
Primary Artist(s): Flo Rida
Featured Artist(s): T-Pain
Writing & Production: The song was written and produced by both Rida and T-Pain
Release: October 9 of 2007
Album/EP: “Mail on Sunday”
Genre(s)
- Southern hip hop
- Crunk
Was “Low” a single release?
Yes. The song was the lead single from Flo’s maiden studio album, “Mail on Sunday”.
Chart Performance
- US – 1
- UK – 2
- New Zealand – 1
- Denmark – 9
- Canada – 1
- Belgium – 7
- Austria – 9
- Australia – 1
Movies
“Low” was featured in the movie “Step Up 2: The Streets”, released in 2008.
Covers
- Relaxing Piano Covers (2016)
- Funk Master (2009)
Sampling
- Kid Cudi – “The Prayer” (2008)
- Girl Talk – “Hands in the Air” (2008)
- DJ Earworm – “No More Gas” (2008)
- Bruneaux – “Bring It Back” (2013)
- Princess – “OctoMom Song” (2009)
- Titus Jones – “Kiss Britney’s Boyfriend” (2008)
Awards/Honors
“Low” lost the award, “Best Rap Song” at the 2009 Grammys to “Lollipop” (Lil Wayne featuring Static Major). Other nominees in that category were:
- Snoop Dogg’s “Sexual Eruption”
- Lupe Fiasco and Matthew Santos’ “Superstar”
- T.I. with Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Kanye West & M.I.A.’s “Swagga Like Us”
In the “Best Melodic Rap Performance” category, at the 2009 Annual Grammy Awards, “Low” lost to “American Boy” (Estelle ft. Kanye West).
“Green Light” (John Legend ft. André 3000), “Got Money” (Lil Wayne ft. T-Pain) and “Superstar” (Lupe Fiasco ft. Matthew Santos) were the other nominees in the category.
It was nominated for “Best Hip-Hop Video” in 2008 at the MTV Video Music Awards. The song lost that award to “Lollipop” by Lil Wayne Ft. Static Major. Three other songs made the nominee list (“Homecoming” by Kanye West Feat. Chris Martin, “Superstar” by Lupe Fiasco ft. Matthew Santos and “Just Fine” by Mary J. Blige)
Chris Brown’s “With You” won “Best Male Video” at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards. “Low”, “No Matter What” by T.I., “Lollipop” by Lil Wayne Ft. Static Major and “Love in This Club” by Usher were the other nominees.
