Flo Rida has truly been keeping himself busy. Not only has he made history again with his new single “Right Round,” his entire album has been getting much buzz. The highly anticipated album “R.O.O.T.S. (Route of Overcoming the Struggle)” is almost here and will be released on the 31st of March. To commemorate this ground breaking album, Billboard Magazine has dedicated their March issue to Flo Rida as he so effortlessly graces the cover. It seems only right since Flo continues to remain at #1 on Billboard’s “Hot 100” and “Top Digital Songs” Charts. In this issue Billboard speaks with Flo Rida about the new album, how he came about being “Music’s Biggest Week Ever,” and how exactly he turned all of his downloads into album sales. This album of course features some major collaborations including Wyclef Jean, Nelly Furtado, Pleasure P, Ne-Yo, and Akon. So it comes to no surprise that this album is getting so much coverage. The official track list has also been released and goes as follows.

1. Finally Here
2. Jump feat. Nelly Furtado
3. Gotta Get It (Dancer)
4. Shone feat. Pleasure P
5. Right Round
6. R.O.O.T.S.
7. Be On You feat. Ne-Yo
8. Mind On My Money
9. Available feat. Akon
10. Touch Me
11. Never
12. Sugar feat. Wynter
13. Rewind feat. Wyclef Jean

For more information on this, pick up the latest Billboard Magazine issue.

The Urban Music Awards To Have its Biggest Collaboration Yet!!

Songs like Estelle featuring Kanye West in “American Boy,” Tao Cruz featuring Busta Ryhmes in “Like a Star” and M.I.A. featuring T.I., Jay-Z, and Kanye West in “Swagger Like Us” clearly show the beautiful combination of sounds created from artists in the UK and artists from the US. Within the last few years, this has become a major trend most notably when Eminem teamed up with UK artist Dido and created “Stan” which became one of his biggest hits ever. Now, following suit, we are looking at history in the making with the Urban Music Awards marking its 7th Anniversary with artists from both the UK and the US. They are undoubtedly setting this year off right as they announced today that they are planning the biggest collaborations ever by combining the UMA’s in both the US and UK. This year’s UMA’s allow fans from across the globe to both vote and nominate the best acts from both US and UK origins.

To mark the 7th year anniversary The Urban Music Awards USA is set to take place on the 18th of July 2009 at the Highline Ballroom, Manhattan, New York City. This year the UMA’s have also implemented the UMA Living Legend Award. Those nominees include, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Run DMC, to Chaka Khan, Grandmasterflash, Montel Jordan, Boyz 2 Men and many more. The fans will have the power to choose the seven who receive this UMA Living Legend award by registering and nominating at http://www.urbanmusicawards.netas/. So I suggest if you are into Urban Music, you get out and do your thing! Award Categories will include:

Artist of the Year 2009 (USA & UK)
Best Album 2009 (USA & UK)
Best Gospel Act 2009 (USA only)
Best Collaboration 2009 (USA & UK)
Best Female Act 2009 (UK & USA)
Best HipHop Act 2009 (USA & UK)
Best International Latino Act 2009
Best International Reggae Act 2009
Best Magazine (Print & Online) Worldwide
Best Male Act 2009 (UK & USA)
Best Music Video 2009 (USA & UK)
Best Producer 2009
Best R&B Act 2009 (USA & UK)
Best Radio DJ 2009 (USA & UK)
Best Radio Station 2009 (USA only)
Best Single 2009 (USA & UK)
Best TV Show (US only)
UMA 2009 Living Legend Award (US only)

So, what are you waiting for? You the public, the fans of urban music hold the cards now and all you have to do is to register and nominate your favorites between the 11th of March till the 20th of April 2009. The full list of nominees will be announced on the 1st of May 2009.

To register & submit your nominees for the Urban Music Awards USA. Please, go to:
http://www.urbanmusicawards.net/us_add_nominies.php

To register & submit your nominees for the Urban Music Awards UK/France edition. Please go to:
http://www.urbanmusicawards.net/uk_add_nominies.php