26-04-2010, 23:53
released Apr 27th, 2010
![[Image: n64149ymact.jpg]](http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drn600/n641/n64149ymact.jpg)
from the album - Nothin' On You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PTDv_szmL0
bio from all music
In spite of the plethora of rap artists constantly emerging from Atlanta in the late 2000s, B.o.B, who was only 17 when he signed his first major-label record deal, was still unique. His borderline eccentricity and artistic mind, belied by his music's conventional Dirty South appeal, raised his stock above the many copycat Southern up-and-comers and, of course, welcomed comparisons to OutKast and, specifically, their offbeat half, André 3000. Although he grew up on the east side of Atlanta in Decatur, Bobby Ray Simmons was born in North Carolina on November 15, 1988. Creating music became an early hobby for the young talent, who played trumpet and other instruments throughout grade school. By the time he was in high school, he already had management and had formed a production duo called the Klinic. At age 15, he even successfully sold a beat of his own to Slip-N-Slide recording artist Citty. When his partner left for college, however, B.o.B decided to take the solo artist path and subsequently recorded the hazy, spoken word-like ode to marijuana "Cloud 9."
In 2006, B.o.B's manager helped sneak him into Club Crucial (owned by Atlanta rap star T.I.), since he was underage, and the teenaged MC wowed the audience with his self-produced ode. A part of that impressed crowd, producer and industry veteran TJ Chapman agreed to co-manage B.o.B, which only a month later led to B.o.B's signing with Atlantic and subsidiary imprint Rebel Rock, run by Florida producer Jim Jonsin (Lil Wayne, Trick Daddy, Jamie Foxx). His first single for Atlantic, Haterz Everywhere (2007), showed lots of promise, reaching the Top Five of Billboard's Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop singles chart. Before long, several outlets and publications, including XXL, Spin, and MTV, took notice of the Atlanta rapper, running "Artist to Watch" features and tagging him as the next Atlanta rap artist to blow up nationally. B.o.B's second single, "Grip Your Body," guested by British soul siren Amy Winehouse, also fared well. He kicked off 2010 with a series of singles, including âAirplanesâ with special guest Hayley Williams of Paramore. The track landed on his debut album, The Adventures of Bobby Ray, released that same year.
album review from def sounds
After countless pushbacks and being named one of 2009âs rising stars, B.o.B finally offers up his debut album with The Adventures of Bobby Ray. The 22-year-old Atlanta, Georgia native, who is signed to T.I.âs Grand Hustle label, has been making noise with his mixtapes since 07â. However with the enormous commercial successes of his lead single Nothinâ on You, the release date got an unexpected push-up. Hoping to capitalize off arguably the biggest radio hit since Best I Ever Had, B.o.B hopes to grab the attention of the Hip-Hop world with his unique style and material. Only time will tell if his tales will seem adventurous or just more tall tales.
Lyrically the album is average. There are times when you stop and rewind a track to see what clever line Bobby spits, and other times you just sing along and vibe out with the track. His content is diverse and can appeal to many people, which is odd because Bobby seems so concerned with not fitting in, that in a way, he fits in with everyone.
His flow is unique and cannot be compared to anyone (yes, not even Andre 3000). The harmonies and wordage of the songs all fit together well. There are no major similes or verbiage that makes his lines standout more then any others, but that is not to say he can be grouped with the Waka Flacka Lameasses of todayâs Hip-Hop.
His style is of his own, and you get a feel from his delivery that he can have substance as well as a free spirit in all of his tracks. He addresses his rise to superstardom as well as his arrogance, which makes the listener feel good about the substance but still equally enjoyable.
This is where B.o.B shines like no other; each song on the album plays out like an individual tale. There is a song on the album for everyone, whether it is the hardcore Hip-Hop fan to the Indie Rock fan, Bobby does a great job of mixing in a variety of topics and guest appearances so that the listener feels the diverseness of his style.
Artist like Rivers Cuomo of Weezer and Hayley Williams of Paramore help give songs like Airplanes, Airplanes II with a song stealing verse from Eminem and Magic an Alternative Rock feel that may seem a bit untraditional, but works well with B.o.Bâs style. However, songs like Bet I with a refreshing verse from T.I., and Fame with its heavy drum bass appeal more to the average Hip-Hop fan with catchy hooks and great substance.
His female friendly tracks help round out an amazing display of B.o.Bâs ability to incorporating all facets of music. Nothinâ on You and Lovelier than You demonstrate the young Atlanta, Georgia natives understanding of what it is to make a complete album.
My personal favorite song has to be Ghost in the Machine, where B.o.B seemingly pours all emotion in to the song and makes the song feel so heartfelt and moving.
I must admit that the tracks took some getting used to; I knew that B.o.B was going to produce most of the album. I had to sit and get a feel for the overall track and then judge it by its whole content and not just the beat. However, as you listen; you see just how talented Bobby Ray really is, not just as a musician but as a producer as well.
The sounds and instruments on the album come together like a melting pot of everything great about music. Piano keys, guitar strings, drums and the occasional unknown instrument give the production a great feel. Some of the slower tempo songs still have a unique way of making you enjoy the diversity of the material.
It does take sometime to get used to it, and on first listen I skipped most of the album, but listen closer and you will definitely change your mind.
I enjoyed the album and will definitely spin like 6-7 songs for a good while; having said that, I feel that I have to be in the mood to listen to his stuff. I wonât bump it when Iâm at a social gathering and I canât vibe out in my car to it.
I see the music as what it is, a solid offering by one of Hip-Hops new stars. I see him having a ton of commercial success, but this just did not intrigue as much as it might have some of you. But who cares what I think, because Iâm sure you donât; so go out and buy the album and support the artist, because thatâs what Hip-Hop is about!!
Track Listing
1 Don't Let Me Fall Montgomery, Simmons 4:35
2 Nothin' on You Lawrence, Levine, Mars ... 4:29
3 Past My Shades Fiasco, Simmons 3:33
4 Airplanes Dussolliet, Franks, Grant ... 3:01
5 Bet I Clifford Harris, McMullen ... 4:17
6 Ghost in the Machine Simmons 4:53
7 Kids Baio, Batmanglij, Franks ... 3:26
8 Magic Cuomo, Gottwald, Simmons 3:16
9 Fame Coney, Gershwin, Gershwin ... 3:41
10 Lovelier Than You Simmons 4:04
11 5th Dimension Clifford Harris ... 3:23
12 Airplanes, Pt. 2 Dussolliet, Grant, Mathers ... 5:19
from the album - Nothin' On You
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PTDv_szmL0
bio from all music
In spite of the plethora of rap artists constantly emerging from Atlanta in the late 2000s, B.o.B, who was only 17 when he signed his first major-label record deal, was still unique. His borderline eccentricity and artistic mind, belied by his music's conventional Dirty South appeal, raised his stock above the many copycat Southern up-and-comers and, of course, welcomed comparisons to OutKast and, specifically, their offbeat half, André 3000. Although he grew up on the east side of Atlanta in Decatur, Bobby Ray Simmons was born in North Carolina on November 15, 1988. Creating music became an early hobby for the young talent, who played trumpet and other instruments throughout grade school. By the time he was in high school, he already had management and had formed a production duo called the Klinic. At age 15, he even successfully sold a beat of his own to Slip-N-Slide recording artist Citty. When his partner left for college, however, B.o.B decided to take the solo artist path and subsequently recorded the hazy, spoken word-like ode to marijuana "Cloud 9."
In 2006, B.o.B's manager helped sneak him into Club Crucial (owned by Atlanta rap star T.I.), since he was underage, and the teenaged MC wowed the audience with his self-produced ode. A part of that impressed crowd, producer and industry veteran TJ Chapman agreed to co-manage B.o.B, which only a month later led to B.o.B's signing with Atlantic and subsidiary imprint Rebel Rock, run by Florida producer Jim Jonsin (Lil Wayne, Trick Daddy, Jamie Foxx). His first single for Atlantic, Haterz Everywhere (2007), showed lots of promise, reaching the Top Five of Billboard's Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop singles chart. Before long, several outlets and publications, including XXL, Spin, and MTV, took notice of the Atlanta rapper, running "Artist to Watch" features and tagging him as the next Atlanta rap artist to blow up nationally. B.o.B's second single, "Grip Your Body," guested by British soul siren Amy Winehouse, also fared well. He kicked off 2010 with a series of singles, including âAirplanesâ with special guest Hayley Williams of Paramore. The track landed on his debut album, The Adventures of Bobby Ray, released that same year.
album review from def sounds
After countless pushbacks and being named one of 2009âs rising stars, B.o.B finally offers up his debut album with The Adventures of Bobby Ray. The 22-year-old Atlanta, Georgia native, who is signed to T.I.âs Grand Hustle label, has been making noise with his mixtapes since 07â. However with the enormous commercial successes of his lead single Nothinâ on You, the release date got an unexpected push-up. Hoping to capitalize off arguably the biggest radio hit since Best I Ever Had, B.o.B hopes to grab the attention of the Hip-Hop world with his unique style and material. Only time will tell if his tales will seem adventurous or just more tall tales.
Lyrically the album is average. There are times when you stop and rewind a track to see what clever line Bobby spits, and other times you just sing along and vibe out with the track. His content is diverse and can appeal to many people, which is odd because Bobby seems so concerned with not fitting in, that in a way, he fits in with everyone.
His flow is unique and cannot be compared to anyone (yes, not even Andre 3000). The harmonies and wordage of the songs all fit together well. There are no major similes or verbiage that makes his lines standout more then any others, but that is not to say he can be grouped with the Waka Flacka Lameasses of todayâs Hip-Hop.
His style is of his own, and you get a feel from his delivery that he can have substance as well as a free spirit in all of his tracks. He addresses his rise to superstardom as well as his arrogance, which makes the listener feel good about the substance but still equally enjoyable.
This is where B.o.B shines like no other; each song on the album plays out like an individual tale. There is a song on the album for everyone, whether it is the hardcore Hip-Hop fan to the Indie Rock fan, Bobby does a great job of mixing in a variety of topics and guest appearances so that the listener feels the diverseness of his style.
Artist like Rivers Cuomo of Weezer and Hayley Williams of Paramore help give songs like Airplanes, Airplanes II with a song stealing verse from Eminem and Magic an Alternative Rock feel that may seem a bit untraditional, but works well with B.o.Bâs style. However, songs like Bet I with a refreshing verse from T.I., and Fame with its heavy drum bass appeal more to the average Hip-Hop fan with catchy hooks and great substance.
His female friendly tracks help round out an amazing display of B.o.Bâs ability to incorporating all facets of music. Nothinâ on You and Lovelier than You demonstrate the young Atlanta, Georgia natives understanding of what it is to make a complete album.
My personal favorite song has to be Ghost in the Machine, where B.o.B seemingly pours all emotion in to the song and makes the song feel so heartfelt and moving.
I must admit that the tracks took some getting used to; I knew that B.o.B was going to produce most of the album. I had to sit and get a feel for the overall track and then judge it by its whole content and not just the beat. However, as you listen; you see just how talented Bobby Ray really is, not just as a musician but as a producer as well.
The sounds and instruments on the album come together like a melting pot of everything great about music. Piano keys, guitar strings, drums and the occasional unknown instrument give the production a great feel. Some of the slower tempo songs still have a unique way of making you enjoy the diversity of the material.
It does take sometime to get used to it, and on first listen I skipped most of the album, but listen closer and you will definitely change your mind.
I enjoyed the album and will definitely spin like 6-7 songs for a good while; having said that, I feel that I have to be in the mood to listen to his stuff. I wonât bump it when Iâm at a social gathering and I canât vibe out in my car to it.
I see the music as what it is, a solid offering by one of Hip-Hops new stars. I see him having a ton of commercial success, but this just did not intrigue as much as it might have some of you. But who cares what I think, because Iâm sure you donât; so go out and buy the album and support the artist, because thatâs what Hip-Hop is about!!
Track Listing
1 Don't Let Me Fall Montgomery, Simmons 4:35
2 Nothin' on You Lawrence, Levine, Mars ... 4:29
3 Past My Shades Fiasco, Simmons 3:33
4 Airplanes Dussolliet, Franks, Grant ... 3:01
5 Bet I Clifford Harris, McMullen ... 4:17
6 Ghost in the Machine Simmons 4:53
7 Kids Baio, Batmanglij, Franks ... 3:26
8 Magic Cuomo, Gottwald, Simmons 3:16
9 Fame Coney, Gershwin, Gershwin ... 3:41
10 Lovelier Than You Simmons 4:04
11 5th Dimension Clifford Harris ... 3:23
12 Airplanes, Pt. 2 Dussolliet, Grant, Mathers ... 5:19
