B.o.B | |
|---|---|
.jpg) B.o.B in 2023 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Bobby Ray Simmons Jr. |
| Born | (1988-11-15)November 15, 1988 (age 36) Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Origin | Decatur, Georgia, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupations |
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| Discography | |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Labels | |
| Formerly of | |
| Website | shopbobbyray |
Bobby Ray Simmons Jr. (born November 15, 1988), known professionally asB.o.B, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. Raised inDecatur, Georgia, Simmons signed with record producerJim Jonsin'sRebel Rock Entertainment in 2006. Two years later, he signed ajoint venture recording contract with fellow Georgia rapperT.I.'sGrand Hustle Records, an imprint ofAtlantic Records.[2] Following hismajor-label deal, Simmons quickly achieved commercial success when his 2009 debut single, "Nothin' on You" (featuringBruno Mars), peaked the U.S.Billboard Hot 100 chart and received three nominations—Record of the Year,Best Rap Song, andBest Rap/Sung Collaboration—at the53rd Grammy Awards.
His 2010 follow-up singles, "Airplanes" (featuringHayley Williams ofParamore) and "Magic" (featuringRivers Cuomo), peaked at numbers two and ten on theBillboard Hot 100, respectively. All three preceded the release of Simmons' debut studio albumThe Adventures of Bobby Ray (2010), which was promoted by twoextended plays (EPs) and several self-releasedmixtapes. The album peaked atop theBillboard 200, receiveddouble platinum certification by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and saw critical praise for its blending ofalternative hip hop,pop rap, androck. Simmons was named the ninth "Hottest MC in the Game of 2010" byMTV on their annual list.[3] The following year, he guest appeared on English singerJessie J's 2011 single "Price Tag", which peaked atop theUK Singles Chart and at number 23 on theBillboard Hot 100.
Simmons'dubstep-influenced 2011 single, "Strange Clouds" (featuringLil Wayne), became his fourth top-ten hit on theBillboard Hot 100. It served as lead single for hissecond studio album of the same name (2012), which peaked at number five on theBillboard 200 and spawned the follow-up singles "So Good" and "Both of Us" (featuringTaylor Swift), both of which peaked within the top 20 in the US and receivedplatinum certifications by the RIAA. His third studio album,Underground Luxury (2013), explored darker subject matter and adopted a grittier tone, spawning theclub-oriented singles "HeadBand" (featuring2 Chainz) and "We Still in This Bitch" (featuringT.I. andJuicy J); the album was met with a critical and commercial decline.[4] That same year, he guest appeared on the platinum-certified singles "Paranoid" byTy Dolla Sign and "Up Down (Do This All Day)" byT-Pain.
Dissatisfied with his lack of promotion from the label, Simmons released his twelfth mixtape,Psycadelik Thoughtz (2015) as his final project for Atlantic. His compilation album,Elements (2016)—released by his own label,No Genre—was compiled from four mixtapes which delved into political subject matter andconspiracy theories. His 2016 single, "Flatline" was adiss song aimed at astrophysicistNeil deGrasse Tyson, in which he attests credence ofmodern flat Earth beliefs. His fourth album,Ether (2017), served as his first independent album and narrowly entered theBillboard 200 while receiving critical praise. He has since further expressedanti-establishment views and disavowed the mainstreammusic industry.
Bobby Ray Simmons Jr. was born on November 15, 1988, inWinston-Salem, North Carolina.[5] He played thetrumpet in his school band from elementary school through high school.[6][7] Although his parents wanted him to continue his education, B.o.B decided in sixth grade that he wanted to pursue a music career.[8] His father, apastor, disapproved of his son's choices, until he realized B.o.B was using music as a form of therapy and a creative outlet. B.o.B later reflected on his experience, saying, "They've always supported me. They got my firstkeyboard 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."[8] B.o.B attendedColumbia High School in Decatur, Georgia, where he played the trumpet in theschool band, until he landed a record deal and decided to drop out of school in the ninth grade.
In 2002, after meeting his mentor and co-manager B-Rich at the age of 14, B.o.B sold his firstbeat to formerSlip-n-Slide recording artist Citti, for the song "I'm the Cookie Man". B.o.B felt he had established a substantial career. "I went and blew all of my money on fast stuff like a chain andballin'. Soon I was broke again, but I learned two important things from it; make sure I save my money and that I was hooked on music. He continued performing atopen mics andunderground venues to perfect his craft.[9] In 2006, because he was underage, B-Rich helped sneak B.o.B into Club Crucial, a night club owned by Atlanta-based rapperT.I. There, B.o.B performed a song titled "Cloud 9", a self-produced,spoken word-likeode tomarijuana. In attendance was producer and industry veteran T.J. Chapman,chief executive officer (CEO) of TJ's DJ's. Chapman agreed to co-manage B.o.B, which only a month later led to B.o.B's signing withAtlantic Records and subsidiary imprint Rebel Rock, run by Florida-based producerJim Jonsin. His first single for Atlantic, 2007's "Haterz Everywhere", reached the top five of Billboard'sBubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop singles chart.[9][10] Along with his solo production career, B.o.B is part of the production/rap group HamSquad, along with Playboy Tre, DJ Swatts, DJ Smooth, Moss B, B-Rich and TJ Chapman.[8]
B.o.B first began to gain recognition at the start of 2007. The underground single, "Haterz Everywhere" featuring Wes Fif, gained the rapper attention by peaking at number 5 on the U.S. BillboardBubbling Under Hot 100 Singles.[11] Theremix to "Haterz Everywhere" featuringRich Boy, was included used in the video gameFight Night Round 4, and a music video was later released for that version. Another single, "I'll Be in the Sky", was released in 2008 and it has reached at number 15 on the same charts.About.com called the song a "smart, funky artrap and a strong prelude to his album" and included it at number 13 on its subjective ranking "Top 100 Rap Songs of 2008". Incidentally, another song produced by B.o.B called "Generation Lost", listed alongside the song, on the ranking at number 32.[12] This was followed by another single, "Don't Let Me Fall".[12] B.o.B made his first big feature appearing on T.I.'s highly acclaimed albumPaper Trail (2008), on the song "On Top of the World", alongside fellow Atlanta-based rapperLudacris.
In 2008, it was announced he would appear on the cover ofXXL magazine, along withAsher Roth,Charles Hamilton andWale as part of their "Hip-Hop's Class of '09" issue.[13][14][15] In October 2008, B.o.B was featured on the cover ofVibe along with some of these same young musicians and was similarly identified as promising young talent.[16][17] From 2007 to 2008, B.o.B released fourmixtapes;The Future (2007),Cloud 9 (2007),Hi! My Name is B.o.B (2008)Who the F#*k is B.o.B? (2008) and twoextended plays;Eastside (2007),[18]12th Dimension (2008).[19]
In 2008, it was announced B.o.B was included inXXL's 2009 annual Freshman Class, and was featured on the cover alongside fellow up-and-coming rappersAsher Roth,Wale,Kid Cudi,Charles Hamilton,Cory Gunz,Blu,Mickey Factz,Ace Hood andCurren$y.[20][21] In February 2009, B.o.B crafted an original song, titled "Auto-Tune", for the videogameGrand Theft Auto: The Lost and Damned. On May 16, 2009, B.o.B released acover ofManu Chao's "Mr. Bobby" and said he wanted to beknown mononymously as Bobby Ray while also claiming he was taking his music in a "new direction": "Now I go by the name Bobby Ray. Make sure you put Bobby Ray. I'm really going into a new direction – more free and not trying to live up to any particular genre. I don't feel like I've been doing that. I don't feel like I've been trying to fit in, but I feel even more free-spirited. I have more willingness musically. That's all I'm about. I'm about guitars, chords and keyboards".[22][23]
On June 22, 2009, B.o.B released his fifth mixtape, appropriately titledB.o.B vs. Bobby Ray. The mixtape, reminiscent of T.I.'sT.I. vs. T.I.P. (2007), was mainly produced by Fury and B.o.B. The mixtape also included a song produced byRed Spyda, titled "Fly Like Me" and another titled "Put Me On", which is a re-imagining ofA Tribe Called Quest's 1990hit, "Bonita Applebum".Reebok used "Put Me On" in celebration of theReebok Classic Remix collection. The track is available for download exclusively to customers who purchase styles from the Reebok Classic Remix collection, at Foot Locker stores nationwide.[24][25] During the summer of 2009, B.o.B joined fellow up-and-coming rappersKid Cudi andAsher Roth for 'The Great Hangover'concert tour.[26][27] B.o.B was to openBlue October's Pick Up the Phone tour in October–November 2009, but the tour was cancelled afterJustin Furstenfeld was hospitalized following a severe mental anxiety attack.[28]
On January 13, 2010, B.o.B announced his debut studio album, tentatively titledThe Adventures of Bobby Ray, was expected to be released on May 25, 2010. To promote the album, B.o.B announced a mixtape titledMay 25, in reference to his album's release date.[29]May 25 was released on February 1, 2010, to critical acclaim.[30] The mixtapefeatures guest appearances fromJ. Cole,Asher Roth, Playboy Tre,Charles Hamilton andBruno Mars. The latter of whom was featured on thebonus track and B.o.B's debut single, "Nothin' on You".[31] Due to the commercial success of his mixtapeMay 25 and his single "Nothin' on You", the release date of his debut album was advanced to April 27, 2010.[32] 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" was released on Atlantic Videos on YouTube.
B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray was released underAtlantic andT.I.'sGrand Hustle imprint, featuring guest appearances fromLupe Fiasco, T.I., Playboy Tre,Hayley Williams,Rivers Cuomo,Ricco Barrino,Janelle Monáe andBruno Mars. The album, released April 27, 2010, was given generally positive reviews. His album sold 84,000 copies in the first week and debuted at number one on theBillboard 200. It made B.o.B the thirteenth solo male artist to have a debut album arrive at number one 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.[33] B.o.B has received nominations for his album, singles, and himself by theBET Awards,Teen Choice Awards,MTV Video Music Awards, and the new Suckerfree Summit. "Airplanes" was featured in the trailer for the upcoming movieCharlie St. Cloud and his single "Magic" featured him in an advertisement forAdidas' "Magic" campaign.[34] B.o.B was announced to be a performer at the2010 MTV Video Music Awards on August 18. He was added to the lineup ofEminem,Linkin Park,Kanye West,Drake,Usher,Paramore,Florence and the Machine, andJustin Bieber.[35]
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 UK Tour.[36] B.o.B also opened forEminem andJay-Z'sThe Home & Home Tour atComerica Park. B.o.B also did aMTV Unplugged session. He performed songs off his debut album, as well as a cover of "Kids" byMGMT, with guestsRobin Thicke,Melanie Fiona, andJanelle Monáe.[37] B.o.B also made an appearance inLollapalooza 2010. B.o.B made an appearance at the2010 MTV VMA's on September 12, 2010.[38] He performed parts of both his singles, "Nothin' on You" with Bruno Mars and "Airplanes" with Hayley Williams. B.o.B released his seventh mixtape, titledNo Genre, on December 7, 2010.B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray was certified 2× platinum by theRIAA on August 2, 2016.[39]
Jessie J released a single featuring B.o.B, titled "Price Tag", on January 30, 2011. The song was quick to reach number one in the United Kingdom charts selling 84,000 copies in its first week of sales. On March 22, 2011,Electronic Arts released the Launch Trailer for the upcoming first-person-shooterCrysis 2 which featured a song by B.o.B titled "New York New York" containing the main piano chorus from the song "Theme from New York, New York" commonly sung byFrank Sinatra; the artist who sang the chorus is unconfirmed.[40][41] The full song later appeared on his eighth mixtapeE.P.I.C. (Every Play Is Crucial), showing the song was produced by Mike Caren.[42] In early 2011,Odd Future'sTyler, 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 25, B.o.B released "No Future" a song in which he takes aim at the hip hop collective and their leader.[43][44] In June 2011, it was announced that B.o.B was featured and produced a song onTech N9ne's twelfth studio album,All 6's and 7's. The track, titled "Am I a Psycho?" features rapperHopsin as well, who also seems to have issues with Tyler, the Creator.[45] B.o.B also appeared on the official remix toKesha's hit single "Blow". The remix was released toiTunes on May 17, 2011.[46][47]
In the summer of 2011, B.o.B was announced the new face ofT.I.'s clothing lineAKOO. He will be featured in AKOO Clothing's upcoming fall 2011 national advertising campaign alongsideCurtis Granderson of theNew York Yankees,Carl Crawford of theBoston Red Sox, and star of the BET hit sitcom,The Game,Hosea Chanchez. He will be appearing in agraphic novel for A.K.O.O titledHide in Plain Sight – Saving the World From Fashion Conspiracy.[48][49][50] 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 featuresLil Wayne.[51][52][53] In an interview withSyracuse University'sThe 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 ofB.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 stillTBA."[54][55] On September 23, 2011, B.o.B released atrailer, through his website, for the upcoming single "Strange Clouds". The trailer announced the single will be officially released October 3.[56] The singleleaked prior to the release date on September 25, causing the single to be released on iTunes on September 27.[57] 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 beStrange Clouds and was set to be released in early 2012.[58]
Bobby Ray held the first listening session for his albumStrange Clouds at Tree Sound Studios on October 25, 2011. Seven new songs were previewed during the listening session, including the promotional single "Play the Guitar" which featuresAndré 3000. Other big guest appearances confirmed, as the album was not fully complete, include Lil Wayne,Big K.R.I.T.,Nelly and a song withT.I. titled "Arena". In addition he has worked withOneRepublic 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!".[59] On November 15, 2011, B.o.B said he would be releasing a mixtape titledE.P.I.C. (Every Play Is Crucial) prior to the album's release. The mixtape was released on November 28, 2011, featuring guest appearances fromEminem,Mos Def,Roscoe Dash,Meek Mill, andBun B amongst others and included production fromRyan Tedder to Lil C andJim Jonsin.[60]
While on set for the "Strange Clouds" music video, MTV interviewed B.o.B and confronted him of a rumor that he andT.I. are working on a collaborative album, B.o.B responded: "The joint album, it actually started as a joke. Tip would always refer to me as 'the Martian', and in one of his lyrics, he said, 'It's the man and the Martian,' and we said, 'Man that could be an album title.' We kinda just played around with it. But it seems to be taking form in a very organic way."[61] On December 1, 2011, B.o.B appeared on New York City'sHot 97 radio station and confirmed that he and T.I. are indeed working on a collaborative album titledThe Man & The Martian.[62]
On December 22, 2011, B.o.B released a snippet of "Play the Guitar", a promotional single, featuringAndré 3000 and asample of "Fancy" as performed byDrake, T.I. andSwizz Beatz.[63] "Play the Guitar" was later released to digital retailers on December 27, 2011. On February 14, 2012, B.o.B released atrailer for the second official single, "So Good".[64] The song, produced byRyan Tedder, was released on February 21. In 2012 in an interview with PopCush, B.o.B expressed his desire to work withKid Cudi,James Blake andSkrillex: "I would also like to work with James Blake. That'd be crazy. I think me, James Blake and Kid Cudi should do a song and it should be produced by Skrillex. I think the sky would fall if we did that song and the sky would come down to Earth and party with us."[65] On March 20, 2012, B.o.B released "Where Are You (B.o.B vs. Bobby Ray)", the second promotional single fromStrange Clouds. "So Hard to Breathe" was released as the third promotional single on April 17, 2012.
In an April 2012 interview withHipHopDX, B.o.B announced he would be releasing arock album.[66][67] B.o.B appeared onHaley Reinhart's debut studio albumListen Up! on the intro track "Oh My".Strange Clouds, B.o.B's second studio album, was released May 1, 2012, to critical acclaim. The album debuted at number five on the U.S.Billboard 200,[68] with 76,000 copies sold the first week.[69] "Both of Us" serves as the album's third single and was sent to Top 40 Mainstream radio on May 22, 2012. The song features American singer-songwriterTaylor Swift. It debuted on Australia Top 50 singles chart at number 46. The song sold 143,000 copies first week, along with the album release, debuting at number 18 on theBillboard Hot 100 and became the week's top debut.
On October 9, 2012, B.o.B was featured on the annualBET Hip Hop Awards cypher, alongside his Grand Hustle label-matesIggy Azalea,T.I.,Chip andTrae tha Truth.[70] On November 15, 2012, B.o.B released his ninth mixtape, entitledFuck 'Em We Ball. The mixtape features guest appearances fromT.I.,Juicy J,Mac Miller,Playboy Tre,Snoop Lion, Spodee andIggy Azalea, with much of the production coming from B.o.B himself.[71] The mixtape also spawned a single, with the release of the club banger, "We Still in This Bitch". In early December, B.o.B revealed toMTV plans to release arock music-influencedextended play: "I've been holding back so much rock for so long. I have been performing with my band for a while, so I guess this is a real good canvas for me to paint on. No one's really expecting anything so I can do what I want to do."[72] He also spoke lightly on his third studio album as well: "My album is basically a continuation ofThe Adventures of Bobby Ray andStrange Clouds. I feel like it kinda bridges the gap between where all my fans are and finally getting everybody up to speed on what my sound is and exactly where I'm going."[72]
While filming the video for "Memories Back Then", in an interview withRap-Up, B.o.B spoke on a series of projects including his third album, a rock EP, and the Hustle Gang compilation.[73] Rap-Up TV caught up with Bobby Ray, where he stated his rock EP is in the works and will reflect his diverse influences: "When I drop it, everyone's gonna have an eargasm. It's really how I fell in love with rock music, from indie to alternative to classic rock to even some forms of country music."[73] He spoke of his third album, which is nearing completion: "This project is a lot more effortless than anything because I've really shown the full spectrum of what I can do musically, so now I'm just having fun with it. I'm 24 years old, so I'm partying."[73] In March, B.o.B teamed up with fellow Atlanta rapperBig Boi ofOutKast to release the official theme song for the 2013 video gameArmy of Two: The Devil's Cartel; if pre-ordered the rappers were also playable characters. The song, titled "Double or Nothing", was accompanied with a music video directed and produced byVice, Noisey andEA.[74][75]
On April 22, 2013, it was announced B.o.B would tour with fellow American rappersWiz Khalifa,A$AP Rocky,Trinidad James,Joey Bada$$, andSmoke DZA, for the Under the Influenceconcert tour.[76] The tour would then begin on July 17, 2013.[77] On May 12, 2013, B.o.Btweeted: "Underground Luxury ... coming this summer... #staytuned", revealing the title of his third studio album.[citation needed] In May, B.o.B also premiered a music video for a newly released song of his titled "Through My Head". The video was directed by Peruvian film directorRicardo de Montreuil.[78] On May 13, 2013, radio personalityFunkmaster Flex premiered "HeadBand" (featuring2 Chainz), the lead single fromUnderground Luxury.[79] The song would be released to retail on May 21, 2013. The song has since peaked at number 65 on theBillboard Hot 100. B.o.B later revealed in an early September interview, that the album would be released in December 2013.[80]
On September 10, 2013, the second single fromUnderground Luxury, titled "Ready", was released to iTunes. The song, produced byNoel "Detail" Fisher", features fellow Atlanta-based rapperFuture.[81] In September 2013, B.o.B revealed he has plan to launch his own record label imprint. During an interview, he stated "I'm putting myCEO pants on, man. I'm finna start a label called HamSquad and I'm looking for artists to be the flagship artists for the label. So I'm really excited about that."[80][82][83] In the same interview he announcedUnderground Luxury, would be released in December.[82] B.o.B called his third album a "Career Shifting Project", adding that the album will revolve around how his life has changed since achieving "major success".[80][82] On October 15, 2013, the music video for "Ready" was released.[84] On October 17, 2013, during an interview onBET's106 & Park, B.o.B announced that the album would be released on December 17, 2013.[85]
Underground Luxury debuted at number 22 on theBillboard 200, with first-week sales of 35,000 copies in the United States.[86] This was a steep decline in sales from his first two albums which respectively sold 84,000 and 74,000 in their first week.[87][88] In its second week the album dropped to number 30, selling 19,000 more copies in the United States.[89] In its third week the album sold 9,000 more copies.[90] In its fourth week the album sold 6,600 more copies in the United States.[91]
On June 9, 2014, in an interview with Bootleg Kev, B.o.B announced his new record label imprint,No Genre, named after his 2010 mixtape.[92][93] On July 9, 2014, B.o.B releasedNo Genre 2, the sequel to his seventh mixtape.[94]No Genre 2 features guest appearances fromKevin Gates,Victoria Monet, Mike Fresh,Ty Dolla Sign,Sevyn Streeter,Mila J, T.I. and more.[95] On October 14, 2014, B.o.B released a song titled "Not For Long", featuringTrey Songz, as a single via digital distribution.[96] On October 7, 2014, an up-and-coming singer named Tora Woloshin, announced she signed to No Genre.[97] On October 24, 2014, B.o.B released a song titled "Fleek", the song was credited to B.o.B's new label imprint, No Genre. The song features No Genre's newly signed artists, Lin-Z and London Jae.[98] On November 28, 2014, B.o.B releasedNew Black, his eleventh solo mixtape. The project is a cohesiveconcept album, compiled of politically charged songs, including "Generation Lost", as the third track.[99][100][101]
On February 24, 2015, B.o.B appeared onTech N9ne's "Hood Go Crazy", alongside2 Chainz, which received moderate success. Later that year, B.o.B spoke about the possibility of a collaborative mixtape with Tech N9ne.[102] On August 14, 2015, B.o.B released an experimental project titledPsycadelik Thoughtz, stating that it was "one of the most defining projects" for his artistry.[103] It features guest appearances from singersJon Bellion andSevyn Streeter. The commercial mixtape, which was released without any promotion or pre-release singles, debuted at number 97 on the U.S.Billboard 200 chart. Having released multiple projects with Atlantic, including threeextended plays (EPs), three studio albums and a retailmixtape, the two sides separated soon after B.o.B claimed that the label was "suppressing" him.[104] "There's a ban on BoB," he wrote onTwitter, before diving into his issues with his then-label. "Theyboycott me, they are afraid I'll get too much exposure," he continued. "My own label doesn't evenpromote my albums, mixtapes, shows or events... ZERO promo." Since his split with Atlantic, B.o.B ventured off with his labelNo Genre and partnered up withEmpire Distribution.[104] On December 4, 2015, B.o.B self-released a mixtape titledWATER.[105][106][107]
On January 2, 2016, B.o.B said "I haven't forgotten about the rock album.. when the time is right."[108] On January 18, 2016, B.o.B released his second mixtape in as many months. The mixtape, titledFIRE, follows the concept of his previous one, adopting the title of an element and the use of acronyms.[109][110] On April 22, 2016, in celebration ofEarth Day, B.o.B released a mixtape titledEARTH, which includes the controversialflat earther anthem "Flatline", in which he espouses multipleconspiracy theories.[111][112][113] On November 4, 2016, B.o.B released his first compilation album,Elements, composed of songs from his last four solo mixtapes,WATER,FIRE,EARTH andAIR.[114] The mixtapes contained in it focus on his political and philosophical views.[115]
On May 12, 2017, the rapper released his fourth studio album,Ether. The album featuresguest appearances from artists likeLil Wayne,Young Thug,T.I.,Big K.R.I.T.,Ty Dolla Sign,Usher,CeeLo Green andYoung Dro.Ether follows theconscious hip hop themes of hisElements mixtapes, and was met with positive reviews from music critics.[104]
On July 5, 2018, B.o.B released his sixth studio album,Naga, receiving no success.[116] Though he stated at the time that it would be his last,[117] a follow-up mixtape,Southmatic, was released the following year.[118] In 2020 and 2021, he released two further projects, his sixth studio albumSomnia and the compilation albumLost Tapes.[119][120]
B.o.B has described his influences as "80's music,techno,rock,funk, evendoo-wop".[121] In a 2012 interview withHipHopDX, when asked "given your age and where you grew up, how have the sounds ofGoodie Mob,Outkast, T.I. and otherSouthern hip hop artists influenced you?", Simmons responded with: "Oh yeah all of them. Outkast, Goodie Mob,Trillville,Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz,Crime Mob,Bone Crusher. All of them played a huge role in creating the sound that I had. When you are inAtlanta you see everything, but I still ventured off into other areas. I was a hugeEminem fan. ADMX fan. [A]Dr. Dre [fan]. I think that's why I have a universal appreciation for such music."[66] Simmons' 2015 albumPsycadelik Thoughtz, was influenced by "'70s rock and funk".[122]
In a 2009 interview, when asked about his music B.o.B said: "I try to be more personal than try to be different".[123] In a review for his debut albumThe Adventures of Bobby Ray (2010),HipHopDX wrote: "The versatility that B.o.B encapsulates is evident from the outset of the album."[124] B.o.B sings, raps, plays the piano and the guitar, all throughout his debut.[125] He utilizespop music,political hip hop,trap music,rock music, andclub music,[126] often dividing himself into two personas that handle specific genres; the B.o.Balter ego is responsible for the pop, trap and club music, while Bobby Ray is the more heartfeltmulti-instrumentalist who shares his views throughconscious rap and rock music. Simmons heavily explored this concept on his 2009 mixtapeB.o.B vs. Bobby Ray, and later on the 2012 single "Where Are You (B.o.B vs. Bobby Ray)".[127][128][129]
B.o.B is an outspokenconspiracy theorist and is noted for hisanti-establishment views, which he has expressed in interviews, social media and his music. He has also been vocal on several social and political issues, including the rights of African Americans,police brutality andAmerican exceptionalism.[130] He believes that theEarth is flat,Apollo 11 wasfaked,9/11 was an inside job, the world will betaken over by the Illuminati and celebritycloning is administered by theU.S. government.[131][132][133][134][135] B.o.B's 2016 song "Flatline" alludes toantisemitic conspiracy theories, asking his audience to "Do [their] research" on Holocaust denierDavid Irving,[136] adding "Stalin was way worse than Hitler / That's why thePOTUS gotta wear a Kipper [kippah]."[137][138][139] These comments gained the attention of theAnti-Defamation League, which stated the lyrics invoke the antisemitic conspiracy theory thatalleges Jews control the U.S. government.[140]
In January 2016, B.o.B expressed the belief that the Earth is flat.[141] AstrophysicistNeil deGrasse Tyson responded to B.o.B onTwitter and attempted to persuade him that the Earth is round, but the rapper refused to retract his views and accusedNASA of avoiding questions,[142] while releasing adiss track against Tyson. The track, titled "Flatline", expands on B.o.B's views about the shape of the Earth.[143][144] Tyson and his rapper nephew, Stephen, responded to B.o.B's flat Earth diss with their own diss track titled "Flat to Fact".[145] Tyson followed this with a January 2016 television appearance on theComedy Central late-night talk showThe Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore where he addressed the rapper: "It's a fundamental fact of calculus and non-Euclidean geometry: Small sections of large curved surfaces will always look flat to little creatures that crawl upon it ... And by the way, this is called gravity" Tyson said,dropping his mic.[146] B.o.B accepted membership inThe Flat Earth Society in 2016.[147][148]
In September 2017, B.o.B sought $200,000 in donations to launch his own satellites to verify the shape of the Earth.[149] Shortly after seeking the original $200,000, B.o.B increased his request to $1,000,000 to cover the cost of many tests, seeking drones,weather balloons, and satellites.[150]
Studio albums
Other commercial projects
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Video of the Year | "Nothin' On You"(withBruno Mars) | Nominated |
| Best Collaboration | Nominated | ||
| Best Male Hip-Hop Artist | B.o.B | Nominated | |
| 2011 | Video of the Year | "Airplanes"(with Hayley Williams) | Nominated |
| Best Collaboration | Nominated | ||
| Best Male Hip-Hop Artist | B.o.B | Nominated |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | B.o.B | Rookie of the Year | Nominated |
| 2010 | B.o.B | Made-You-Look Award | Nominated |
| MVP of the Year | Nominated | ||
| "Airplanes"(withHayley Williams) | Track of the Year | Nominated | |
| "Nothin' On You"(with Bruno Mars) | Perfect Combo Award | Nominated | |
| People's Champ Award | Nominated | ||
| Best Hip-Hop Video | Nominated | ||
| The Adventures of Bobby Ray | CD of the Year | Nominated | |
| 2011 | No Genre | Best Mixtape | Nominated |
| 2013 | "We Still in This Bitch" | Best Hip-Hop Video | Nominated |
| 2014 | "Paranoid" | Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse | Nominated |
| "Up Down (Do This All Day)" | Nominated |
| Year | Nominee / work | Award | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "Nothin' on You"(featuringBruno Mars) | Record of the Year | Nominated |
| Best Rap/Sung Performance | Nominated | ||
| Best Rap Song | Nominated | ||
| "Airplanes, Part II"(featuringHayley Williams &Eminem) | Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals | Nominated | |
| The Adventures of Bobby Ray | Best Rap Album | Nominated | |
| 2012 | Doo-Wops & Hooligans(as featured artist) | Album of the Year | Nominated |
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | American Music Award | New Artist of the Year | B.o.B | Nominated |
| Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist | Nominated | |||
| Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album | The Adventures of Bobby Ray | Nominated | ||
| MTV Video Music Award | Video of the Year | "Airplanes"(with Hayley Williams) | Nominated | |
| Best Male Video | Nominated | |||
| Best Hip-Hop Video | Nominated | |||
| Best Collaboration | Nominated | |||
| Best Pop Video | "Nothin' On You"(with Bruno Mars) | Nominated | ||
| MTV Europe Music Award | Best New Act | B.o.B | Nominated | |
| Best Push Act | Nominated | |||
| Soul Train Music Awards | Best Song of the Year | "Nothin' On You"(with Bruno Mars) | Won | |
| Best New Artist | B.o.B | Nominated | ||
| Teen Choice Awards | Choice Music: Rap Album | The Adventures of Bobby Ray | Nominated | |
| Choice Music: Hook-Up | "Airplanes"(with Hayley Williams) | Won | ||
| Choice Music: Summer Song | Nominated | |||
| Choice Music: Single | "Nothin' On You"(with Bruno Mars) | Nominated | ||
| Choice Music: Breakout Male Artist | B.o.B | Nominated | ||
| Choice Music: Summer Male Artist | Nominated | |||
| 2011 | Billboard Music Award | Top Digital Song | "Airplanes"(with Hayley Williams) | Nominated |
| Top Rap Song | Nominated | |||
| "Nothin' On You"(with Bruno Mars) | Nominated | |||
| MTV Video Music Awards Japan | Best Male Video | "Airplanes"(with Hayley Williams) | Nominated | |
| Best Collaboration | Nominated | |||
| Best New Artist | "Nothin' On You"(with Bruno Mars) | Nominated | ||
| NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding New Artist | B.o.B | Nominated | |
| People's Choice Awards | Favorite Breakthrough Artist | B.o.B | Nominated | |
| Favorite Song | "Airplanes"(with Hayley Williams) | Nominated | ||
| 2012 | MTV Europe Music Award | Best World Stage Performance | B.o.B | Nominated |
| People's Choice Awards | Favorite Hip Hop Artist | B.o.B | Nominated | |
| 2014 | MTV Europe Music Award | Best World Stage Performance | B.o.B | Nominated |
| 2015 | MTV Europe Music Award | Best World Stage Performance | B.o.B | Nominated |
| Studio albums | |
|---|---|
| Compilations | |
| Mixtapes | |
| Singles | |
| Featured singles | |
| Promotional singles |
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| Other songs | |
| Related articles | |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
