Flowerovlove: from aunt solange’s notebook to coachella dreams

At 20, Flowerovlove – real name Joyce Cisse – is rapidly ascending the pop scene, fueled by a surprisingly humble origin story and a whole lot of ambition.

Aunt solange and a single line

The story, initially dismissed as internet speculation, began with a notebook gifted to a 10-year-old Joyce by her aunt, now widely believed to be none other than Beyoncé’s sister, Solange Knowles. But don’t expect a perfectly polished narrative; it’s a delightfully messy, internet-fueled origin myth.

“It’s an incredible rumour,” Cisse laughed, “I love her so much and I’ve never met her before.” The whirlwind of Fashion Week, with a breathless “I’m outside. It’s kind of hectic. Thanks so much for being flexible with the rescheduling,” only underscored the frenetic pace of her burgeoning career. She’s sporting Louis Vuitton shoes and a dress, a testament to her visual aesthetic.

Coachella and a decade-old goal

But the real kicker? Cisse scribbled a very specific goal into her journal back in 2014: “Play Coachella.” And now, two years later, she’s locking in a performance at the iconic festival. “I’m very excited, also very nervous, because it’s going to be my first show of the year,” she admitted, “It might be a little rusty, but I think last year was the most shows I’ve ever done in my entire life, so I’m so ready.”

The moment feels profoundly circular, a testament to her unwavering focus. “I completely forgot that I put it in my journal until I was just going through my old journal one night,” she recounted, a genuine shock on her face. “I was like, ‘Holy sh*t!’”

‘Casual lady’ and a friend’s iconic voice

Beyond the festival stage, Flowerovlove is building momentum with her latest single, ‘Casual Lady,’ a deliciously retro 2014-coded track that expertly captures the push-and-pull of modern dating. The song opens with a vibrant introduction from Madeline Argy, a podcast host and former Cosmopolitan cover star, whom Cisse playfully calls a “hard launch” of their friendship. “Whenever we hang out, I’m always like, ‘Okay, I need to go to the studio,’” she explained, “And we have friends who are always like, ‘Oh, we want to come and do gang vocals.’ So, I was like, ‘You guys should come’ and she [Argy] was like, ‘I’d be so down.’ I thought it’d be funny if she said something crazy on a song because she has such an iconic, recognisable voice.”

Family, heritage, and a bold vision

Born in London to Ivorian parents, Cisse’s creative journey is deeply rooted in her family and heritage. Her mother, a dedicated fan and TikTok personality (@motherovlove), provides unwavering support. “She’s the best. It’s also free marketing because she always goes viral,” Cisse joked. “Honestly, she’s a legend.” Her brother, Wilfred, has been instrumental in her development, teaching himself to produce music and encouraging her to pursue her voice. “He always knew I had a great singing voice and was like, ‘We’re locking in,’” she explained, “He even made me sit down and watch the Billie Eilish documentary. It was kind of a vibe.”

But beyond the music, Cisse is a vocal advocate for self-acceptance and representation, embracing her natural hair and celebrating her Black identity. “Even when you’re out on the street and see someone with their natural hair, it hits differently,” she stated, “It’s just so natural to me now, but for others it’s still a statement, and that’s powerful.”

Despite the challenges of the industry – and the pressure of maintaining mental well-being – Flowerovlove remains resolutely focused on her craft and her goals. “I just want the music to be as fun as possible,” she insists. “And it was also a nice way to hard launch our friendship.”

Looking ahead, Cisse dreams of headlining Madison Square Garden, a goal she’s held since a childhood encounter with Justin Bieber. Her current collaborators – Rosalía, Kendrick Lamar, and SZA – represent the breadth of her musical aspirations. Ultimately, Cisse’s success stems from a refusal to compromise, a deep-seated connection to her roots, and an unwavering belief in the power of her art.