Artist: Flo Rida

Album: R.O.O.T.S.

Label: Poe Boy/Atlantic

The status that Flo Rida has received over the course of the past 2 years has been what many artists dream about. His debut single ‘Low’ became a sudden smash hit literally overnight. That record alone broke records on digital online sales and ringtone sales on a level you could not even fathom. The success of ‘Mail on Sunday’ lead him to the established artist he is today. Now exactly one year later, the veteran Miami artist is set to release his most anticipated sophomore album ‘R.O.O.T.S,’ not to mention his first single off that album, ‘Right Round,’ wasn’t even a week into its release when it practically shattered ‘Low’ sales record a year before. It became the number one record in the country selling over 600,000 singles during its first week sales breaking all records that iTunes, Rhapsody, and Amazon ever set prior to its release.

Prior to the release of ‘R.O.O.T.S.’ (acronym for Route of Overcoming the Struggle), the album has already spawned 3 different singles that gained worldwide critical acclaim. This new album guest features the talents of Nelly Furtado, Ne-Yo, Wyclef Jean, Akon, Pleasure P, and newcomers Wynter and Kesha.

In this album, he personifies his struggle before the music business came into play. His intro song, ‘Finally Here,’ narrates the hardship of living in the hood while working a 9 to 5, but still being able to provide for himself and his family. Flo expresses deep personal issues exemplifying a visual image of his life before the fame.

Hit singles ‘Right Round,’ ‘Shone,’ and ‘Sugar’ have already made a huge impact upon the fans, the world, and the club scene that its success on the digital circuit is still continuing its rise on a major level. ‘Right Round’ alone has sold 636,000 singles its first week of release and the numbers still continues higher. ‘Shone’ and ‘Sugar’ are right behind ‘Right Round’ on its own collection of sales counters. ‘Shone’ features the talents of ex-Pretty Ricky member, Pleasure P. The title of the song is a term used in Miami that they both define quite vividly. ‘Sugar’ features the talents of newcomer Wynter as she vocals the hook atop a sampled beat and melody made famous in the 90s by Eiffel 65.

The title track ‘R.O.O.T.S.’ is the definition of the reason behind the album. He continues his narration of the struggles he faced growing up in the hood and well as the people surrounding him. The chorus line defines the idea of the entire song. Within his lyrics, he goes into personal aspects of his life mentioning his hometown Carol City, a suburb in the heart of Miami. The potent beat fits the personification the track is trying to express made exclusively by J-Rock, Poe Boy powerhouse producer.

Flo provides an eclectic R&B sound with the track ‘Be On You’ as he’s always known to give the ladies an exclusive just for them. Ne-Yo adds his melodic flare into the mix with production by his own go to production team the hitmakers Stargate. Ne-Yo and Stargate have always made a distinguished pair when it comes to making a certified R&B hit, Flo Rida understood the talents that they possessed from their long track credit when he recruited the R&B dynamic duo.

Quite possibly the most powerful track on the album is practically a huge Miami anthem with literally everyone on it, a bonus track at that. Flo Rida was able to comprise a certified hit with the track simply entitled ‘Yayo.’ I mean what better than to name a song what the city is known for and what they’ve been calling for the past several years. An assortment of range Miami artists appear on this 8 minute track. Artists include: Flo’s Poe Boy brethren Billy Blue and Brisco alongside Rick Ross, Ballgreezy, Redd Eyezz, Bred, Pitbull, and Khaled’s apprentice Ace Hood. It evident, this track is going to be huge. Look out for the single or at the unofficial street single. The diverse lyrical content and delivery on this song is amazing, the composition focuses on the city from every artist’s point of view.

On the real, this whole album has diversity written all over it. Flo chooses a wide range of heavyweight producers and artists to fit the diversity of sound and content. Each track exemplifies different deliveries dealing on many subtle concepts. Flo said it best when he said that the album comprises sad moments and happy moments. Many people will be able to relate to the album on many different levels. Aside from the club songs, his storylines have open messages in it, which goes to show he didn’t have to be subliminal; he wanted his fans to feel his pain with each verse. This is definitely a step up from his debut ‘Mail on Sunday,’ with lyrical content and the sounds he incorporated.

Notable tracks include: ‘Mind on My Money,’ ‘Available,’ and ‘Rewind.’