Wynter Gordon’s introduction as a new artist wasn’t typical for the industry. But, when you’re working with Flo Rida on what would eventually be a top five hit in the country, untypical is par for the course.
“The good ole’ days!” exclaimed Wynter, born Diana Gordon, when I brought up the 2009 track “Sugar” during an interview on “The Ralphie Radio Show.” “That was like the first time that I traveled the world in style, because Flo Rida surely does travel in style.”
The best hotels, with the best accommodations, and some prime time gigs like “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” were a small sample of the perks that the singer/songwriter experienced with Flo. But now Gordon is out on her own, making a name for herself.
Wynter just wrapped up a tour in support of Fall Out Boy front man Patrick Stump. I ran in to her backstage during their stop in Philadelphia at World Live Café. Gordon was a bit frazzled. It was just minutes before she was supposed to go on stage and she needed to iron a skirt. The problem: Wynter thought she didn’t have any water for the iron in her dressing room. Quickly I ran to the bar, grabbed two cups and sprinted back to her. Turns out, while my efforts were appreciated, they weren’t needed.
“There was a bathroom right in the room,” Gordon admitted. “I didn’t even know.”
Surely, clothing irons and water were not an issue with Flo Rida’s hospitality rider. But, now that Gordon is flying solo, she can truly live out her dream of making music for the masses. Her first single, “Dirty Talk,” burned up DJ crates across the world and sold over three million copies. Wynter released the With the Music I Die EP in June. The extended play, which has already spawned a top three dance charter in “Til Death,” also features her next single, “Buy My Love.” The track fuses a retro 90’s pop sound with current dance beats, provided by Swedish House Mafia’s Axwell.
“I was doing a bunch of serious songs (for the EP),” explained Gordon. “’Buy My Love’ was one of the more fun, cheekier ones. I’m kind of leaning more towards that sound, moving forward.”
Certainly dance music is seeing quite the resurgence, led by big time DJs and producers like the aforementioned SHM along with David Guetta, Afrojack, The Cataracs, and others. But Gordon believes that like any other genre or group of artists, a lack of evolution could lead to audiences becoming bored and moving away from the product.
“Nothing can stay the same and be popular for a long, long, long period of time,” Gordon said. “I don’t think we can all do the same thing for too long.”
