R.O.O.T.S. (Route of Overcoming the Struggle) [PA]

Performer: Flo Rida
Artist: Nelly Furtado; Pleasure P; Ne-Yo; Akon; Wynter; Wyclef Jean
Distributor: WEA (Distributor)

Notes: It's easy to see Florida-native MC Flo Rida emerging as a divisive figure. He embraces the modern cornerstones of hip-hop/R&B (Akon cameos, samples of popular dance songs from different decades), but is also an unabashedly corny throwback to the days of booty bass and 2 Live Crew. That being said, R.O.O.T.S. doesn't require analysis. Instead, it commands attention with its unending emphasis on uproarious catchiness. There are moments of unintentional awkwardness, as when the macho mic-ripper lifts '80s icons Dead Or Alive's "Right Round" for the album's lead single. But tracks like "Jump" and "Touch Me" are so absurdly infectious, straddling the line between underground electro and commercial rap, that it's easy to give Rida a pass on his way to broad, radio-driven acceptance.

Entertainment Weekly (p.54) - "Songs like the squiggly 'Gotta Get It (Dancer)' and the hyperspeed thumper 'Jump' practically come with their own strobe light..." -- Grade: B Billboard (p.29) - "The best cuts are those that mirror the MC's usual themes with even more familiar sounds..." XXL (Magazine Publisher) (p.97) - "Chock-full of club anthems, singsongy lyrics and upbeat production, Flo's sophomore set packs enough catchy jingles to keep him atop the charts..."

Hailing from Carol City, on the outskirts of Miami, Flo Rida blends bass-fueled Southern crunk with a borderline LL Cool J pop-rap sweetness. After nearly a decade of honing his craft on mix tapes and demos, the rapper hooked up with powerful local label Poe Boy, which snowballed into a contract with Atlantic Records. MAIL ON A SUNDAY, the dynamic MC's debut, is highlighted by his collaboration with crooner and fellow Sunshine State native T-Pain on "Low," a smash crossover hit that ruled the airwaves upon its release. No one-hit wonder, Flo Rida would cement himself as a regular on both pop and hip-hop radio by the end of the '00s.

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