Flo Rida: R.O.O.T.S Album review
Flo Rida R.O.O.T.S
Flo Rida (a play on the state he comes from) was the rapper that plauged us with the annoying superhit “Low” one year ago. A typical example of the brainless pop-rap songs that are dominating the radio at the moment. It’s really commercial pop, cause Flo Rida got as much in common with Public Enemy and Eric B & Rakim and Madonna. Debut album “Mail On Sunday” was the typical commercial mainstream release with dance floor grooves, sing-a-long hook and big time productions but it still ended up feeling quite mediocre. One year later he’s back again in order to not end up in the one hit wonder cemetary and against all odds he manged to score another big hit, the #1 with “Right Round”, that cowardly borrows the hook from Dead Or Alives 1984 hit “You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) aparently the new generation didn’t hear the original cause this one is nothing special. But does the album have more to offer then thatg, unless you just care for having a good time at the clubs?. Sophmore album “R.O.O.T.S” stands for “Route Of Overcoming The Struggle) and may be a ankward name considered that Flo Rida is a commercial rapper. Let’s that a look at the songs.
First there is a song that was aparently produced by Drumma Boy and it’s called “Finally Here”, One of few singles that doesn’t feature any guests and for good and bad it’s also less commercial. with a autobiographical concept. The second song with wannane Hip Hop girl Nelly Furtado, “Jump” is just embarassing and painfully bad with a electro bass beat and a hook written in 1 minute. “Gotta Get It” plays on the hook from Tina Turners “Private Dancer” but that’s where the simularity ends. Another dead end. Jim Jonsin (Whatever You Like, Lillipop) is the producer of “Shone” featuring Pleasure P, a talentless member of Pretty Ricky. The song is also for the clubs and beat-wise it resembles most of Jonsin previous hits but this one doesn’t deliver. The title track is obviously self autobiographical aswell where he talks about his childhood but it’s missplaced on an a party album like this. The token Ne-To/Stargate song arrives just in time with “Be On You”, not bad per se but we heard it before. The Eric Hudson produced “Mind on My Money” got an obvious theme, but actually it’s one of the better songs musically and it’s not as corny as the avarage rap song dealing with money. “Available” from will.i.am and a hook from Akon is just like the Stargate song, more of the same of a producer out of ideas. “Touch Me” borrows the hook from Benny Benassi’s Techno hit “Satisfaction” and got the usual nonsense lyrics, isn’t there any more creativity then this?. Another conscious song is Happy Perez “Never” but it’s missplaced and boring. The worst song is the uninspiring remake of Eiffel 65′s Eurodance hit “Blue(Da Ba Dee), I didn’t think Hip Hop could go sink this low but this is beyond ludicrous. Wyclef Jean joins in to the closer “Rewind” where Flo Rida tries to be conscious again, next time save it for Common or Lupe Fiasco.
Overall, This is not really a rap album, more like pop like Keri Hilson or Beyonce but as bad as you could imagine it, None of the club songs is original or entertaining and none of the personal songs is touch or interesting. The ironic thing is that a song like “Right Round” actually topped the billboard charts. What’s happening to Hip Hop when talentless artist like this are dominating while original artists are struggling in the backround?. I suppose this album could be could be enjoyed when you’re just got paid and yoru’re drinking in a club but if you play the same album the day after you just wanna “Rewind” and wish you never embarrased yourself that much. While Flo Rida’s last album was ok, this one offers nothing interesting at all and should be avoided at all costs.
Final verdict: 
