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Debi Nova's intoxicating, self-described "tropical-soul" sound has been something of a favorite around these parts for a while now. Back in January, we introduced you to the L.A.-via-Costa Rica singer and learned all about her background in backing vocals by working on records by Sean Paul and the Black Eyed Peas. Then we got a good look at her outdoor dance party in the video for "Drummer Boy."

Well, now it's time to get to know her a little better with this episode of "The 5."

The main thing to take from the interview is that Debi Nova seems like a cool, laid-back lady. She talks about her home country of Costa Rica and the peaceful feeling of coming from a country without an army. She also muses on how her fluency in English and Spanish (as well as playing multiple instruments) influenced the sound of her debut album, Luna Nueva. Plus, she's a surfer!

Check out the entire episode of Debi Nova's "The 5" below.

Related Content The Buzz On: Debi Nova

Tags Black Eyed Peas, Debi Nova, Sean Paul, The 5, video

Not unlike yesterday's Buzz On artist, Nneka, Debi Nova draws on a diverse musical and cultural background to make a seductive sound all her own.

The Costa Rican singer has been a staple of the Los Angeles music scene for a couple of years now, adding her alluring vocals to tracks from Ricky Martin, Sean Paul and Black Eyed Peas.

She made an intoxicating collaborative EP with the late J. Dilla's brother, Illa J (Sounds Like Love, released last May), before moving on to begin recording solo material in earnest. On her debut solo album, titled Luna Nueva, due out in March, Nova makes what she describes as, "Tropical Soul."

Indeed on songs like "Drummer Boy," the usual beats of R&B and pop are subverted by the energy of Latin rhythms, while "Need 2 Be Loved," shows off her incredibly playful vocal dexterity.

Stay tuned for her "Drummer Boy" video, coming soon!

Tags Black Eyed Peas, Debi Nova, Ricky Martin, Sean Paul, The Buzz On, video

Pure pop never dies, it just changes accents. Meet the latest Caribbean (think Rihanna, Sean Paul) export to play hopscotch up the pop charts: Iyaz. Like his pal Sean Kingston, Iyaz excels at taking sun-kissed pop songs and imbuing them with a subtle island flair. (And maybe even a little Miley Cyrus.)

On his out-of-nowhere hit, "Replay," Iyaz delivers a summer hit just in time for Christmas. Over bubbling keyboards and a harmless beat, Iyaz effortlessly switches between choirboy singing and Virgin Islands patois. The result is as intoxicating as Kingston's "Beautful Girls."

Look for Iyaz's debut album early next year and check out the video for "Replay" below.

Tags Iyaz, Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, Sean Kingston, Sean Paul, video

Girl, you look so nice, Sean Paul said it twice... er... like, 20 times. In his brand-new video, "So Fine," dancehall crossover kingpin Sean Paul cashes in on one of his most marketable selling points -- his ability to say the same thing over and over and over again and, as if by magic, make the act of repetition not annoying but somehow, hypnotically mesmerizing. Dude should bottle and sell that juice. Oh wait -- he has: Sean Paul's sold over 11 million albums worldwide.

His highly anticipated next album, Imperial Blaze, is due out August 18, 2009, with "So Fine" as its official first single. Check out the equally mesmerizing, ultra-'80s-inspired video, "So Fine," directed by Ray Kay (Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" and LMFAO "I'm In Miami, Trick") before Imperial Blaze drops.

Tags Lady Gaga, LMFAO, Ray Kay, Sean Paul, video

Truth time! We've been chugging along on the Estelle train (Choo-choo!) ever since we first heard/downloaded/ruined (by slaughtering it at Sing Sing Karaoke) "American Boy" back in March. But in our (admittedly) way-biased opinion, her new video, "Come Over," -- the third single off her breakthrough sophomore album, Shine) has everything you want out of a four-minute (and six-second) track:

Wispy/hypnotic soprano vocals? Check. Shiny, Hefty-bag inspired little black dress? Check. Smooth reggae beats from a cornrowed/shades-wearing Sean Paul? Double check.

And let's not forget the fact that she looks absolutely flawless (love those thick, lustrous maybe-it's-Maybelline lashes!) despite rocking an edgy, Rihanna-like side 'do and an impossibly pointy pink strapless number. So check it out, watch Estelle send those amazing/regrettable late-night drunken(?) text messages (Booty call!) and give it up for her new, sultry Jazmine Sullivan/"Need U Bad" sound.

+ Plus, watch Estelle and Kanye West rock the EMAs with their live (and oh-so-topical) rendition of "American Boy." It's an Obama-nation!

Tags Estelle, Jazmine Sullivan, Sean Paul