When today's hottest rapper is lost for words on hearing a new soulstress, she must be a future superstar. But it's an even bigger deal if that divette is Australian.

Flo Rida was stunned by Jessica Mauboy's crunk 'n' B hit 'Running Back'. "He couldn't believe it," Mauboy relates with a bashful laugh. "He was just like, 'What! She's an Australian artist? Where is she? What is she doing? Is she bringing out an album?' He was basically asking all the questions. He was really keen to know."

The in-demand US MC not only agreed to a guest spot, but also appears in the video, filmed in Melbourne during his recent Australian tour. Flo Rida subsequently raved about Jessica in interviews, "She has a great voice!"

For her part, Mauboy found Flo Rida nothing like the typical flossin' rapper. "He was a pleasure to work with," she says. "It's amazing for him to want to work with me."

The response to 'Running Back' has been so fervent that its release was brought forward - the song another triumph for Aussie hitmaker Audius (Delta Goodrem).

Mauboy hasn't stopped since being proclaimed runner-up to Damien Leith on 2006's tightly contested fourth season of Australian Idol. Those years of hard work and dedication have culminated in Jessica's boldest enterprise yet - her forthcoming debut album.

Born in Darwin, the striking Mauboy boasts a unique heritage. Jessica's father has a Timorese Indonesian background, while her mother is an Indigenous Australian.

It was Jessica's music-loving Dad who encouraged her to audition for Idol. The aspiring vocalist was initially unsure she could pull it off. She's inherently "shy". "I was the one in school not asking the questions - I wouldn't put my hand up," Mauboy reveals. Ironically, Idol gave her a confidence boost.

Signing to Sony BMG, Mauboy issued a commemorative CD/DVD, 'The Journey', of live performances, among them her sublime rendition of Christina Aguilera's 'Beautiful'. 'The Journey' shot into the Top 5 on the ARIA album charts, clocking up Gold sales. Jessica was then invited to join the supergroup Young Divas after Ricki-Lee Coulter's departure - providing the perfect transition into a solo career. "They were my role models," Jessica says of her former bandmates.

At 19, Mauboy is poised to take her music to the next level with 'Been Waiting'. In addition to Audius, she's co-written material with Israel and Adam Reily, all Oz producers. "Australia needs to know that - we do have really good producers," Jessica enthuses.

As with 'Running Back', Mauboy wanted to convey emotional depth. "I was willing to really open up about any experience that I went through that was emotional - the ups and downs." But 'Been Waiting' is no MOR set. Mauboy refashions contemporary urban, club and electro-pop sounds. It's a little Rihanna, a little Beyonce, but a whole lotta Jessica Mauboy. And she ensures her songs are timeless by flexing the same powerful voice that knocked over Idol judge Marcia Hines.

Above all, Mauboy is versatile. Prior to Idol she won the country - yes, country - Road To Tamworth. Jessica still has a soft spot for country & western queens Dolly Parton and Patsy Cline. "Growing up, there were so many different kinds of music. I just really wanted to explore [them] - and that's the kinda person I am. I'm an explorer. I go on different journeys and adventures.

"The country thing, I don't know how that happened - I just love that kind of music as well. I grew up in the backyard singing with my relatives, my family, and they were my influences, too. My family introduced me to different music, and I took it on board.

"Country music is always going to be the roots of my career."

And, as a product of Darwin's multicultural milieu, Mauboy is determined to use her high profile to spread goodwill. The communal singer has already visited Indonesia as a cultural ambassador with the Australian Government's In2Oz: Creative Australia program, and managed to fit in a special guest appearance on Indonesian Idol while she was there - performing to a TV audience of millions!

In 2008 Jessica Mauboy is travelling full circle - in more ways than one.

Running Back (Ft. Flo Rida)

Available Now! | iTunes | Sanity | Listen to 'Running Back' on Myspace!
Jessica Mauboy makes a sizzling return with her new single 'Running Back'
featuring none other than Flo Rida. Features bonus singles 'Magical', 'Running
Back' Remix Feat. Flo Rida & Israel and an awesome 'Running Back' karaoke track!

Burn

29th November 2008 Available Now on iTunes! | iTunes | Sanity | Listen to 'Burn' on Myspace!
The second single from Jessica Mauboy!

Been Waiting

22nd November 2008 | Pre-Order
'Been Waiting' is the highly anticipted new album from young Australian
singer Jessica Mauboy. Features the smash hit single 'Running Back' feat Flo Rida.

1. Running Back Feat. Flo Rida
2. Been Waiting
3. Burn
4. Used2b
5. Empty
6. Because
7. To The Floor
8. Time After Time
9. Back2u
10. Up/Down
11. Let Me Be Me

woop! just downloaded Burn off itunes

oh wow i like Burn:)
she suits this style of music so well!
i hope she does some shows:)

Rihanna is a popular performer who was born and raised in Barbados before moving to America to pursue her dream as a singer.

Her first singles "Pon De Replay" and "If It's Lovin' That You Want" were well recieved but brought little attention to Rihanna. The album 'Music of the Sun' was lackluster and didn't perform well.

Her follow up, "SOS" was one of the biggest hits when released and was followed by another hit, "Unfaithful". The third and fourth singles, "We Ride" and "Break It Off" had medicore performances in the charts dispite the album, 'A Girl Like Me's moderate success.

When Rihanna returned in 2007 with her stellar hit, "Umbrella" she instantly became a household name. The single was one of the best selling singles of 2007 and her legacy reigned with three more U.S. #1 singles, "Take A Bow" and "Disturbia". The album 'Good Girl Gone Bad' performed better then any of her other two and produced 8 singles: Umbrella, Shut Up & Drive, Hate That I Love You (with Neyo), Don't Stop The Music, Rehab, Take A Bow, Never See Your Face Again (with Maroon 5) and Disturbia.

I hope that helps you with the question "who is Rihanna?"

Only Christina can pull that off

LOL. No she fails.

Artin

Well Britney's new album has returned her to bubblegum pop aka. NOT A REAL ARTIST

Well Britney's new album has returned her to bubblegum pop aka. NOT A REAL ARTIST

Sunday 23rd November - Instore at Liverpool. More info here.

Artin

I'll have to check her out. I wonder if she'll come to America?

Jess will be performing live and signing copies of her album 'Been Waiting'

Hmmm

Rihanna is a popular performer who was born and raised in Barbados before moving to America to pursue her dream as a singer.

Her first singles "Pon De Replay" and "If It's Lovin' That You Want" were well recieved but brought little attention to Rihanna. The album 'Music of the Sun' was lackluster and didn't perform well.

Her follow up, "SOS" was one of the biggest hits when released and was followed by another hit, "Unfaithful". The third and fourth singles, "We Ride" and "Break It Off" had medicore performances in the charts dispite the album, 'A Girl Like Me's moderate success.

When Rihanna returned in 2007 with her stellar hit, "Umbrella" she instantly became a household name. The single was one of the best selling singles of 2007 and her legacy reigned with three more U.S. #1 singles, "Take A Bow" and "Disturbia". The album 'Good Girl Gone Bad' performed better then any of her other two and produced 8 singles: Umbrella, Shut Up & Drive, Hate That I Love You (with Neyo), Don't Stop The Music, Rehab, Take A Bow, Never See Your Face Again (with Maroon 5) and Disturbia.

I hope that helps you with the question "who is Rihanna?"

~*BB JUST LET IT BERN*~

~*I'M ON FIYAH*~

I can't believe how hot she's gotten, it's kind of scary.

Burn is way better than Running Back, even though I like that song too. Perhaps it's the absence of that Flow Rider monstrosity. Looking forward to hearing the rest of the album. Although on Saturday I will be throwing my money towards The Killers... so...

SUX

I will listen to it eventually, though, despite my utter abborhence for R'n'B text talk-type song names.

Jessica will perform Burn in this Sunday's Australian Idol grand final on the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House.
I must say it's an unusual move to release her second single so early given Running Back is still #4 in the ARIA singles chart and could still go even higher.

what's the go with the toe of those shoes =\

would be hotter if they were normal