- B.o.B
-
This article is about the rapper. For the song by OutKast, see B.O.B. (song). For other uses, see Bob.
B.o.B 
B.o.B performing on June 29, 2010Background information Birth name Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. Also known as B.o.B, Bobby Ray Born November 15, 1988 Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States[1] Origin Decatur, Georgia, USA Genres Hip hop[2] Occupations Rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, guitarist Instruments Vocals, guitar, piano, drum machine, synthesizer Years active 2007–present Labels Grand Hustle, Rebel Rock, Atlantic Records, Web Associated acts Charles Hamilton, Asher Roth, T.I., Playboy Tre, Lupe Fiasco, Yelawolf, Eminem, Bruno Mars Website bobatl.com Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. (born November 15, 1988),[1] better known by his stage name B.o.B, is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and record producer. He is currently signed under the labels of Grand Hustle Records, Rebel Rock Entertainment, and Atlantic Records. His debut single "Nothin' on You" reached number one in both the United States and the United Kingdom. "Airplanes," B.o.B's second single, emulated this success, peaking at number one and number two in the U.K. and the U.S., respectively. His third single, "Magic", became B.o.B's third consecutive top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100. B.o.B was named the ninth Hottest MC in the Game of 2010 by MTV.[3]
Contents
Early life
B.o.B was born Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. on November 15, 1988 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Less than a month later, his family moved to Decatur, Georgia. He played the trumpet in his school band from elementary school through high school.[4][5] Although his parents wanted him to continue his education, Simmons decided in sixth grade that he wanted to pursue a music career.[6] His father, a pastor, disapproved of his son's choices until he realized that Simmons was using music as a form of therapy and a creative outlet. Simmons later reflected on his experience, saying, "They’ve always supported me. They got my first keyboard to make beats on and they helped me out getting equipment here and there. But it was kind of hard for them to really understand what I was really trying to accomplish."[6] B.o.B went to Columbia High School in Decatur, GA.
Biography
Early career
B.o.B first began to gain major recognition at the start of 2007. An underground single, "Haterz Everywhere," featuring Wes Fif, gained the rapper recognition and peaked at #5 on the U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles.[7] A remix featuring Rich Boy was featured in the video game Fight Night Round 4. Another single, "I'll Be In the Sky," was released in late 2008 reached #115 on the follow chart. About.com called the song a "smart, funky artrap and a strong prelude to his album" and included it at #13 on its subjective ranking "Top 100 Rap Songs of 2008." This was followed by another single called "Don't Let Me Fall" which was more of an R&B song than the usual rap.[8] He was also featured on T.I.'s album Paper Trail on the song "On Top of the World." Incidentally, another song produced by Bobby Ray called "Generation Lost" listed alongside the song on the ranking at #32.
B.o.B performing in Atlanta in 2008.
The same year, he appeared on the cover of XXL magazine along with Asher Roth, Charles Hamilton, and Wale as "Hip-Hop's Class of '09".[9][10][11] In October 2008, B.o.B was featured on the cover of Vibe along with some of these same young musicians and was similarly identified as promising young talent.[12][13] He has described his influences as "80's music, techno, rock, funk, even doo-wop...".[14] B.o.B has also worked with artists such as British rapper Giggs. Along with his solo producing career, B.o.B is part of a production/rap group called HamSquad, along with Playboy Tre, TJ Chapman, and B. Rich.[6]
2009–2011: The Adventures of Bobby Ray and mainstream success
His debut album, The Adventures of Bobby Ray, was originally expected to be released on May 25, 2010, but was advanced to April 27, 2010 due to the commercial success of his song "Nothin' on You", featuring Bruno Mars. The album was released under T.I.'s record label Grand Hustle and includes features from Lupe Fiasco, T.I., Playboy Tre, Hayley Williams, Rivers Cuomo, Rico Barrino, Eminem, Janelle Monáe, Bruno Mars, and Young Dro.
Three other singles followed: "Don't Let Me Fall" (released April 6, 2010), "Airplanes" (April 13, 2010; featuring Hayley Williams), and "Bet I" (April 20, 2010; featuring T.I. and Playboy Tre). A video for "Bet I" has been released on Atlantic Videos on YouTube. The album was released April 27, 2010 and was given generally positive reviews. His album sold 84,000 copies in the first week and debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200. It made B.o.B the 13th male solo artist to have a debut album at #1 in its first week. In July, B.o.B announced he will go on tour, naming it The SHOOTiN for Stars Tour. The dates and times were released on his website on July 13.[15] B.o.B has received nominations for his album, singles, and himself by the BET Awards, Teen Choice Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and the new Suckerfree Summit. "Airplanes" was featured in the trailer for the upcoming movie Charlie St. Cloud and his single "Magic" featured him in an advertisement for Adidas’ “Magic” campaign.[16] B.o.B was announced to be a performer at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards on August 18. He was added to the line-up of Eminem, Linkin Park, Kanye West, Drake, Usher, Paramore, Florence and the Machine, and Justin Bieber.[17]
On August 14, 2010, Hayley Williams announced via the Official Paramore Fan Club that B.o.B would be the main support for Paramore's November U.K. Tour.[18] B.o.B also opened for Eminem and Jay-Z's The Home & Home Tour at Comerica Park. B.o.B also did MTV Unplugged session. He performed songs off his debut album together with guests such like Robin Thicke, Melanie Fiona, and Janelle Monae.[19] B.o.B also made an appearance in Lollapalooza 2010. B.o.B. made an appearance at the 2010 MTV VMA's on September 12, 2010.[20] He performed parts of both his singles, "Nothin' On You" with Bruno Mars and "Airplanes" with Hayley Williams of Paramore.
On December 7, 2010, B.o.B. released his mixtape No Genre. B.o.B was named "Best New Artist" by iTunes 2010 Rewind Chart. The Adventures of Bobby Ray was certified Gold by the RIAA on December 16. His song "Champion" from the mixtape May 25 was chosen as the ESPN Bowl Week theme.
Jessie J released a single along with B.o.B called "Price Tag" on 30 January 2011 in the United Kingdom. The song was quick to reach number one in the UK charts selling 84,000 copies in its first week of sales.
On March 22, 2011 Electronic Arts released the Launch Trailer for the first-person-shooter Crysis 2 which featured a song by B.o.B. entitled "New York New York" containing the main piano chorus from the song "Theme from New York, New York" commonly sung by Frank Sinatra; the artist who sang the chorus was not confirmed.[21]
In Early 2011 Odd Future's Tyler, the Creator released a song titled "Yonkers". In the song Tyler raps (What you think of Hayley Williams?) Fuck her, Wolf Haley robbing 'em / I'll crash that fucking airplane that that faggot nigga B.o.B is in / And stab Bruno Mars in his goddamn esophagus / And won't stop until the cops come in. In response, on March 25th, B.o.B released "No Future" a song in which he takes aim at the hip hop collective and their leader.[22] In June 2011, it was revealed that B.o.B was featured and produced a song on Tech N9ne's twelfth studio album, All 6's and 7's. The track, titled "Am I a Psycho?" also features rapper Hopsin, who also seems to have issues with Tyler, the Creator.[23] In the song, B.o.B apparently takes more shots at Tyler, the Creator.[24]
B.o.B appeared on the official remix to Kesha's hit single "Blow". The remix was released to iTunes on May 17, 2011.[25][26]
In the summer of 2011 B.o.B was announced the new face of T.I.'s clothing line A.K.O.O. He will be featured in AKOO Clothing’s upcoming fall 2011 national advertising campaign alongside Curtis Granderson of the New York Yankees, Carl Crawford of the Boston Red Sox, and star of the BET hit sitcom, The Game, Hosea Chanchez. He will be appearing in a graphic novel for A.K.O.O titled Hide In Plain Sight – Saving the World From Fashion Conspiracy.[27][28][29]
2011–present: Strange Clouds
On August 27, 2011 a video appeared on YouTube of B.o.B performing at Colorado State University, where he previewed a song titled "Strange Clouds" and announced it features Lil Wayne.[30][31] In a Q&A with Syracuse University’s The Daily Orange, B.o.B spoke of his second studio album for the first time. He went on to say "It's a more mature sound but nothing too experimental. It's a happy medium between the sound of B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray and the mixtapes, so everyone should be able to enjoy it. I'd say I'm 90 percent done with it right now, but the album title is still TBA."[32][33] On September 23, 2011 B.o.B released a trailer, through his website, for the upcoming single "Strange Clouds". The trailer announced the single will be officially released October 3.[34] The single leaked prior to the release date on September 25, causing the single to be released on iTunes on September 27.[35] Later that day B.o.B appeared on an online video stream on radio station V103 and announced the title of the album to also be Strange Clouds and is to be released in early Spring of 2012.[36] Bobby Ray held the first listening session for his album Strange Clouds at Tree Sound Studios on October 25, 2011. Seven new songs were previewed during the listening session, including his next single "Play the Guitar" which features André 3000. Other big guest appearances confirmed, as the album is not fully complete, include Lil Wayne, Big K.R.I.T., Nelly and a song with T.I. titled "Arena". In addition he has worked with OneRepublic on a song and has been quoted as having: "the song of 2012 with a mega feature from somebody who never does features with anyone!".[37] On November 15, 2011 B.o.B revealed he will be releasing a mixtape titled E.P.I.C. (Every Play Is Crucial) prior to the album's release.
Discography
Main articles: B.o.B discography and B.o.B production discography- B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray (2010)
- Strange Clouds (2012)
Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Work Result 2010 American Music Awards "Best Breakthrough" B.o.B Nominated "Best Hip-Hop Artist" Nominated "Best Hip-Hop Album" The Adventures of Bobby Ray Nominated BET Awards "Best Male Hip-Hop Artist" B.o.B Nominated "Best Collaboration" Nothin' On You (with Bruno Mars) Nominated "Video of the Year" Nominated BET Hip Hop Awards "Made-You-Look Award" B.o.B Nominated "People's Champ Award" Nominated "Track of the Year" Airplanes (with Hayley Williams) Nominated "Perfect Combo Award (* of the year" Nothin' On You (with Bruno Mars) Nominated "Best Hip-Hop Video" Nominated "CD of the Year" The Adventures of Bobby Ray Nominated MTV Video Music Awards "Video of the Year" Airplanes (with Hayley Williams) Nominated Best Collaboration Nominated Best Male Video Nominated Best Hip-Hop Video Nominated Best Pop Video Nothin' On You (with Bruno Mars) Nominated MTV Europe Music Awards Best New Act B.o.B Nominated Best Push Act Nominated Soul Train Awards Best Song Nothin' On You (with Bruno Mars) Won Best New Artist B.o.B Nominated Teen Choice Awards Rap Album The Adventures of Bobby Ray Nominated Hook Up Song Airplanes (with Hayley Williams) Won Best Single Nothin' On You (with Bruno Mars) Nominated Male Breakout Artist B.o.B Nominated Male Music Star Nominated Best Summer Song Airplanes (with Hayley Williams) Nominated 2011 BET Awards Best Male Hip-Hop Artist B.o.B Nominated Best Collaboration Airplanes (with Hayley Williams) Nominated Video of the Year Nominated Grammy Awards Record of the Year Nominated Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals Nominated Best Rap Song Collaboration Nothin' On You (with Bruno Mars) Nominated Best Rap Song Nominated Best Rap Album The Adventures of Bobby Ray Nominated MTV Video Music Awards Japan Best New Artist Video Nothin' On You (with Bruno Mars) Nominated NAACP Image Awards Outstanding New Artist B.o.B Pending References
- ^ a b Interview With Bobby Ray a.k.a. B.o.B
- ^ Cantor, Paul. Candy Shop (December/January 2011 ed.). XXL (magazine): Dennis S. Page. p. 83.
- ^ B.o.B Makes His Hottest MCs in the Game Debut at #9
- ^ Bain, Becky (2010-04-20). "B.o.B On Loving Hayley Williams And Hating "Rap Politics"". Idolator. http://idolator.com/5481781/b-o-b-on-loving-hayley-williams-and-hating-rap-politics. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
- ^ McCall, Tris (2010-04-09). "Rapper B.o.B connects with the mainstream-pop audience". Nj.com. http://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/index.ssf/2010/04/rapper_bob_connects_with_the_m.html. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
- ^ a b c Burnett, John (2008-05-13). "B.o.B: Hi, My Name Is...". Hip-Hop DX. http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/interviews/id.1118/title.bob-hi-my-name-is. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
- ^ http://www.discogs.com/BOB-Haterz-Everywhere-Cloud-9/release/1313575
- ^ Adaso, Henry. Top 100 Rap Songs of 2008, About.com, 30 December 2008. Retrieved January 2, 2009.
- ^ The Daily Kush (Asher Roth website)[dead link]
- ^ XXL The 10 Freshman Shoot[dead link]
- ^ B.o.B, Asher Roth & Charles Hamilton "Change Gonna Come"
- ^ Vibe online, October 30, 2008
- ^ Asher Paul Roth From MorrisVille, PA
- ^ Interview with ATL Hip Hop Artist B.o.B
- ^ Official website Retrieved: July 19, 2010.
- ^ B.o.B Stars in Adidas Commercial - Billboard Underground | Billboard.com
- ^ "MTV VMAS- About the Show". MTV.com. MTV. http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2010/about.jhtml.
- ^ B.o.B and fun. to join Paramore on UK tour
- ^ B.o.B On MTV's Unplugged | VIDEO | Def Pen Radio
- ^ "B.o.B.". TVGuide.com. 2010-09-09. http://www.tvguide.com/detail/celebrity.aspx?tvobjectid=306802.
- ^ Crysis 2 Launch Trailer
- ^ B.o.B. "No Future [Odd Future Diss]"
- ^ "Ill Mind of Hopsin #4 (Tyler The Creator Diss)"
- ^ Tech N9ne – Am I a Psycho? Lyrics Featuring: B.o.B & Hopsin
- ^ http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/blow-remix-feat.-b.o.b.-single/id439381354
- ^ http://www.rap-up.com/2011/05/17/new-music-kesha-f-bob-blow-remix/
- ^ B.o.B. Is AKOO Clothing Brand’s Newest Ambassador!
- ^ B.o.B. Is New Face Of Akoo
- ^ Music Superstar B.o.B Joins The AKOO Clothing Brand Ambassador Program
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI3r5JZaEYY&feature=player_embedded
- ^ http://www.killerhiphop.com/b-o-b-debuts-strange-clouds-ft-lil-wayne-in-colorado/
- ^ Q&A with B.o.B
- ^ http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.16824/title.bob-says-hes-90-percent-done-with-recording-sophomore-album
- ^ Strange Clouds ft. Lil Wayne Trailer
- ^ [1]. iTunes.com. Retrieved September 29, 2011.
- ^ [2]
- ^ "Exclusive Interview: B.o.B Talks “Strange Clouds” The Album At First Listening Session". Bombonem.com. 2011-10-26. http://bombonem.com/2011/10/26/exclusive-interview-b-o-b-talks-strange-clouds-the-album-at-first-listening-session/. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
External links
- Official website
- B.o.B at Allmusic
- B.o.B at Billboard.com
Studio albums B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray · Strange CloudsSingles "Nothin' on You" · "Airplanes" · "Magic" · "Don't Let Me Fall" · "I'll Be in the Sky" · "Strange Clouds"Featured singles Related articles Categories:- 1988 births
- Living people
- African American rappers
- African American record producers
- African American singer-songwriters
- Atlantic Records artists
- People from Decatur, Georgia
- Rappers from Atlanta, Georgia
- People from Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Southern hip hop musicians
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
