B.o.B.'s Big Year

posted in: Music News

Born Bobby Ray Simmons Jr., B.o.B. is the latest young rapper taking the pop world by storm.  You could say the rock-loving rapper is on a roll of sorts and showing no signs of slowing down. His singles turned to summer anthems overnight and earned him five VMA nominations, as well as nods for BET and Teen Choice Awards. B.o.B. performed to packed crowds from the main stage at Coachella and Lollapalooza, and caught the attention of more than just hip hop fans.

He just watched his third consecutive single, Magic, soar to the top ten charts and score him an Adidas commercial featuring the song.  B.o.B. received his first BMI Urban Music Award in September, where President and CEO, Del Bryant, called him the future of music. The Southern sensation opened the show to an industry-packed crowd with his hits, Nothin’ On You and Airplanes, accompanied by nothing but his guitar.  A couple days later, he took the stage alongside Paramore front-woman, Hayley Williams for a show-stopping performance of Airplanes at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards.  His debut album, B.o.B. presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray was released earlier this year by TI’s Atlantic imprint, Grand Hustle Records and features cameos by an eclectic bunch including Eminem, Janelle Monae, Lupe Fiasco, and Weezer front-man, Rivers Cuomo.  The album shot to Number 1 on the Billboard Top 200 in its first week, making B.o.B the thirteenth male solo artist to achieve such success with a debut release.  His unique, clever delivery coupled with his unusual affection for instruments and artistry makes him a welcomed rarity to the sometimes stagnant style of pop-rap.  This fall, B.o.B. will hit the road with Paramore when he joins them for their UK tour before gearing up for his own cross-country caravan, The Shootin’ For The Stars Tour.

By Cortney Wills

Cortney Wills is a pop culture journalist born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She has lived in LA, Chicago and NYC and enjoys all things entertainment.