They were eventually all invited as featured guests on Fresh Kid Ice's fourth album Freaky Chinese (2004). He would often bring his group around when performing with him. They developed a long lasting friendship Flo Rida considers this period as his schooling. While performing, Fresh Kid Ice of 2 Live Crew took notice and asked him to be his hype man, and shortly after he took him for a show in Hawaii. Her death greatly affected Dillard and his career, with him telling MTV "I was very close to her, and I told myself that I was going to do this for my sister." Early on in his career one of his sisters, Julia passed away due to bronchitis. The GroundHoggz, in this four-man incarnation, remained together for eight years. They started recording at underground studios in Carver Ranches. The GroundHoggz had been a three-man group, with members who lived in the same apartment complex as Flo Rida. His brother-in-law was a hype man for local rap group 2 Live Crew, and while in ninth grade, Flo Rida joined an amateur rap group called the GroundHoggz. Some of his sisters would sing in a local gospel group. His parents raised him together with his seven sisters, the youngest of whom is his twin. Tramar Lacel Dillard was born in Carol City, Florida, on September 17, 1979. Life and career 1979–2006: Early life and career beginnings 1.11979–2006: Early life and career beginnings.2.1 1979–2006: Early life and career beginnings.