B.o.B.
Mar 19, 2012
Of all the rap artists who emerged from Atlanta during the late 2000s, B.o.B - who was only 17 when he signed his first major-label record deal - was one of the most unique. His borderline eccentricity and artistic mind, belied by his music's conventional Dirty South sound, raised his stock above his Southern comparisons and welcomed comparisons to OutKast (specifically that group's offbeat half, André 3000). B.o.B also chose his partners wisely, scoring a handful of Top 40 singles during 2010 by collaborating with vocalists like Rivers Cuomo, Hayley Williams, and Bruno Mars. B.o.B's official breakthrough came in 2010, though, when he topped the charts with "Nothin' on You" and reached number two with "Airplanes," the latter song featuring special guest vocals from Paramore's Hayley Williams. Both songs appeared on his full-length debut, The Adventures of Bobby Ray, which was released later that year and quickly went gold. Originally planned as a mixtape, his sophomore album Strange Clouds followed in 2012.
On September 27, 2011 B.o.B appeared on an online video stream on Atlanta's V-103 WVEE radio station, to promote the lead single "Strange Clouds". While there he announced the title of the album to also be Strange Clouds and revealed the album was to be released in early Spring of 2012. Bobby Ray held the first listening session for the album at Tree Sound Studios on October 25, 2011. Seven new songs were previewed during the listening session, including his second single "Play the Guitar" which features André 3000. Other guest appearances confirmed, as the album was 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!". The album was originally set to be released on March 13, 2012, however on February 9, B.o.B announced the album had been pushed back, and the new release date was May 1, 2012.
B.o.B follows up his recent singles "Strange Clouds" and "Play The Guitar" with his latest single, "So Good", the Ryan Tedder-produced third offering off upcoming LP Strange Clouds. "So Good", a whimsical track about escaping on a holiday with a lovely lady, is Atlanta MC B.o.B's most commercial-sounding single since "Airplanes". His raps are coupled with a soaring chorus that sounds tailor-made for spring/summer radio play.