Tramer Dillard, who is better known as Flo Rida, has been involved with the rap game since 2003. Breaking onto the mainstream stage with his T-Pain assisted hit “Low” in 2008, Flo Rida started to garner some serious attention. Not one to rest on his laurels Flo Rida can be found atop the Billboard Hot 100 charts with his second number-one hit, “Right Round” featuring Kesha. Flo Rida is accustomed to songs receiving commercial acclaim. with other singles “Elevator,” “In The Ayer,” and “Roll” all placing on the charts. For his sophomore album. R.O.O.T.S. (only a year after 2008’s Mail On Sunday) Flo Rida presents more of the same and in this particular case that’s hardly a bad thing.
Flo Rida distinctive “club flow” carries R.O.O.T.S. along the upbeat and energetic path it sets out on. Not being one for especially poetic or insightful lyrics, Flo Rida seems to know his place and thusly succeeds in making this a fun and get-your-rump-a-shakin type of album. Although there are more than a handful of club bangers. the album also shows some serious production work and well-crafted melodies.
R.O.O.T.S. of course features Flo Rida’s singles “Touch Me,” “Right Round,” and his as-yet-unreleased single “Sugar,” which features singer Wynter. “Sugar” is another club song that re-works Eiffel 65’s popular turn-of-the-millennium track “Blue” and is already charting. As for the rest of the album cuts, “Rewind,” featuring Wyclef Jean, is an emotional cut that pairs Flo Rida’s frenetic rapping with standard Wyclef refrains. Another highlight of the album is “Jump,” which features pop star Nelly Furtado. Easily one of the best tracks on the album. “Jump” is highlighted by a deep bass synth, an upbeat dance groove, and a chorus that is sure to get the club in a frenzy.
Another solid cut from the album is “Shone,” featuring the up-and-coming Pleasure P. Flo Rida’s flow once again is the highlight of this song. His upbeat almost breathless style works very well on the downtempo beat songs providing a rhythmic element that fits in seamlessly. Other guests appear on the album as well, Ne-Yo makes an appearance on “Be On You,” and Akon even shows up on the super synthy “Available.”
R.O.O.T.S. is heavy on the features, beats, and party music. It’s what we’ve come to expect from a Flo Rida album and the man definitely does not deviate from the tried and true. In that regard the album is a resounding success. It’s nothing groundbreaking but what it is, is feel-good club music that will get people on the dance floor ready to shake what their mamas gave them. If you’re buying this album for philosophical messages or clever wordplay, be warned: R.O.O.T.S. is not for you. On the other hand, if you like good beats for the club and a rhythmic style of rapping, R.O.O.T.S. is a resounding success.
Lady Gaga continues to dominate the music industry by picking up five (5) awards at the World Music Awards held yesterday in Monte Carlo. The singer took home the following awards: World’s Best Single for “Poker Face,” World’s Best Album, The Fame, World’s Best Pop/Rock Artist, World’s Best New Artist and Best-Selling US Artist. In addition to Gaga other winners included David Guetta, Black Eyed Peas, Akon and Jennifer Lopez was honored with the Legend for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts award.
