**Pop Sensation flowerovlove Debuts with ‘Mini Skirt Warrior’ Album**
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Rising British-Ivorian pop star flowerovlove, whose real name is Joyce Cissé, has released her much-anticipated debut album, ‘Mini Skirt Warrior’, on Friday, August 28. The album showcases her unique style, blending vulnerable lyrics with upbeat bubblegum pop melodies, capturing the attention of fans and critics alike.
At just 21 years old, Cissé has already made a significant mark in both the music and fashion industries. After being discovered as a model on the streets of London, she became a Louis Vuitton ambassador and participated in campaigns for major brands like Gucci. However, her true passion lay in music. Inspired by Justin Bieber’s documentary ‘Never Say Never’, Cissé decided at the age of six that she wanted to pursue a career as a pop artist.
Her journey into music began organically; after issuing a number of viral TikTok videos, particularly featuring her track “Breaking News”, flowerovlove was signed by Capitol Records at the age of eighteen. Since then, she has released several EPs culminating in her latest and most ambitious project yet, ‘Mini Skirt Warrior’.
In a candid interview, Cissé discussed her artistic influences, revealing a rich tapestry of musical inspiration from diverse genres. She noted her fondness for disco, citing artists such as Boney M., ABBA, and Donna Summer as significant influences in her formative years. More contemporary inspirations include Tame Impala, whose sound prompted Cissé to genuinely envision a future in music.
The choice of her stage name, flowerovlove, has a personal significance for the artist. Initially, she used the Instagram handle “FlowerGarden2005” inspired by her birth year. Desiring an alias that resonated with her identity, she selected a name reflecting her connection to nature and love. Cissé elaborated, stating, “I always feel so connected to flowers; I feel like women should see themselves as flowers.”
The album’s title, ‘Mini Skirt Warrior’, is an alter ego that blossomed during an interaction with fans on Instagram Live. The spontaneous comment about a “mini skirt warrior” captured her imagination, leading her to adopt this persona when crafting her album.
With themes of growth and self-discovery, ‘Mini Skirt Warrior’ encapsulates Cissé’s reflections on young adulthood and the lessons learned along the way. The album often addresses the emotional complexities of first loves and heartbreaks, emphasising that life is a continuous journey filled with novel experiences. Cissé explained, “If there’s a mistake or something happens, it’s okay because it really is our first time living.”
One standout track is “Debonair,” which explores nuances of sexuality. Cissé shared that the song is about navigating feelings and experiences that go beyond conventional boundaries: “It’s about being open to those experiences and those opportunities,” she remarked. Additionally, the closing track “Girls Will Be Girls” features a collaboration with musician WILLOW, which came about after they connected over mutual admiration for each other’s work.
Beyond her music, flowerovlove has garnered attention from influential figures in the industry. She had the opportunity to open for Halsey on tour, where she received encouraging advice from the artist. “You got this,” Halsey reassured the young singer, highlighting her potential within the music scene. Following this, Cissé will also support Niall Horan on his upcoming tour across the UK, Ireland, and Europe, starting September 22.
Cissé expressed excitement about touring with Horan, reminiscing about her early fandom of One Direction. “He’s been very sweet and lovely… We’ve done a lot of manifestation to land this tour,” she explained.
As she navigates the early stages of her career, flowerovlove finds herself pleasantly surprised by support from unexpected quarters. She mentioned high-profile artists like Rosalía and SZA, who have expressed their admiration for her work, further validating her place in the industry.
In the coming years, Cissé envisions broadening her artistic horizons. “World domination,” she said with a laugh, encapsulating her ambitious aspirations. As listeners dive into ‘Mini Skirt Warrior’, it is clear that flowerovlove is just getting started.