Rapper Flo Rida is enjoying success with his new hit “Right Round,” which samples the 80’s classic “You Spin Me Right Round.” Even though he just released his second album, he feels it’s important to stay close to his fans, and during a CNN interview gave out his cell phone number (it’s 305-528-2786, in case you were wondering). He says that he answers or responds via text to approximately 30% of the calls.

In an attempt to reach his fan base on a more intimate level, the Floridian rapper has made his personal cell phone number public.

“If they can go out and buy my albums, I can at least make the sacrifice to holler at the few people who call,” he says. “A lot of times I’m busy so they’ll get my voice mail. And if I can speak to them and I have time, I always text back. Because I think that’s very important.”

To prove that the number he shared on camera during our interview was the real deal, he showed CNN his iPhone. The device was on overdrive, constantly lighting up and vibrating with an influx of texts and calls.

“Yo this is your boy Flo Rida,” he said to one caller. “What’s your name? What’s good?”

But it was too much for the person on the other end — he or she hung up before uttering a response.
“Most of them hang up,” says Flo Rida (real name Tramar Dillard). “They don’t think it’s really me.”

So how many calls and texts does a top-selling, in-demand rap star actually respond to?

“About 30 percent,” he says.

[From CNN]

Either he really does want to continue to connect with his fans, or this is a brilliant marketing ploy. The strategy might work for Flo Rida, but it wouldn’t work with a lot of other stars. Can you imagine if Zac Efron’s number got out? Or the Jonas Brothers? There would be some serious tween stalking going on.

He says that most people end up hanging up on him because they don’t believe that it’s actually him – or because they get scared. My roommate actually tried to call the number last night, but it was busy. Don’t know what we would have said if he actually answered the phone.

Wonder if he’ll change his number soon. For a while it might be kind of fun, but eventually he might have to get another private number. Wouldn’t want to miss a call from your mom because you were too busy responding to calls from fans.

Here’s Flo Rida with Wynter Gordon performing on the set of their new music video on Friday. Images thanks to WENN.com .