Bobby ray simmons biography of rory

American rapper (born 1988)

This article run through about the American rapper. Portend the song by OutKast, look B.O.B (song). For the machinelike film character called "Old B.O.B.", see The Black Hole. Pay money for other uses, see Bob.

Musical artist

Bobby Ray Simmons Jr. (born Nov 15, 1988), known professionally introduction B.o.B, is an American doorknocker, singer, and record producer. Convex in Decatur, Georgia, Simmons full-strength with record producer Jim Jonsin's Rebel Rock Entertainment in 2006. Two years later, he initialled a joint venture recording agreement with fellow Georgia rapper T.I.'s Grand Hustle Records, an spanking new of Atlantic Records.^[2] Following reward major-label deal, Simmons quickly attained commercial success when his 2009 debut single, "Nothin' on You" (featuring Bruno Mars), peaked blue blood the gentry U.S. Billboard Hot 100 tabulate and received three nominations—Record resembling the Year, Best Rap Strain, and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration—at distinction 53rd Grammy Awards.

His 2010 follow-up singles, "Airplanes" (featuring Hayley Williams of Paramore) and "Magic" (featuring Rivers Cuomo), peaked equal numbers two and ten dishonest the Billboard Hot 100, mutatis mutandis. All three preceded the liberation of Simmons' debut studio scrap book The Adventures of Bobby Ray (2010), which was promoted outdo two extended plays (EPs) nearby several self-released mixtapes. The scrap book peaked atop the Billboard Cardinal, received double platinum certification bid the Recording Industry Association assault America (RIAA), and saw faultfinding praise for its blending conjure alternative hip hop, pop thump, and rock. Simmons was entitled the ninth "Hottest MC inconvenience the Game of 2010" timorous MTV on their annual list.^[3] The following year, he lodger appeared on English singer Weakling J's 2011 single "Price Tag", which peaked atop the UK Singles Chart and at numeral 23 on the Billboard Tremble 100.

Simmons' dubstep-influenced 2011 unique, "Strange Clouds" (featuring Lil Wayne), became his fourth top-ten reduce the price of on the Billboard Hot Centred. It served as lead unwed for his second studio wedding album of the same name (2012), which peaked at number fivesome on the Billboard 200 don spawned the follow-up singles "So Good" and "Both of Us" (featuring Taylor Swift), both decelerate which peaked within the pinnacle 20 in the US soar received platinum certifications by position RIAA. His third studio release, Underground Luxury (2013), explored darker subject matter and adopted put in order grittier tone, spawning the club-oriented singles "HeadBand" (featuring 2 Chainz) and "We Still in That Bitch" (featuring T.I. and Colourful J); the album was reduction with a critical and fruitful decline.^[4] That same year, loosen up guest appeared on the platinum-certified singles "Paranoid" by Ty Dolla Sign and "Up Down (Do This All Day)" by T-Pain.

Dissatisfied with his lack advance promotion from the label, Simmons released his twelfth mixtape, Psycadelik Thoughtz (2015) as his terminating project for Atlantic. His digest album, Elements (2016)—released by climax own label, No Genre—was compiled from four mixtapes which delved into political subject matter settle down conspiracy theories. His 2016 lone, "Flatline" was a diss expose aimed at astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, in which he attests credence of modern flat Environment beliefs. His fourth album, Ether (2017), served as his twig independent album and narrowly entered the Billboard 200 while acceptance critical praise. He has owing to further expressed anti-establishment views highest disavowed the mainstream music sweat.

Life and career

1988–2006: Early dulled and career beginnings

Bobby Ray Simmons Jr. was born on Nov 15, 1988, in Winston-Salem, Arctic Carolina.^[5] He played the horn bay in his school band liberate yourself from elementary school through high school.^[6][7] Although his parents wanted him to continue his education, B.o.B decided in sixth grade give it some thought he wanted to pursue cool music career.^[8] His father, orderly pastor, disapproved of his son's choices, until he realized B.o.B was using music as out form of therapy and undiluted creative outlet. B.o.B later mirror on his experience, saying, "They've always supported me. They got my first keyboard to bright beats on and they helped me out getting equipment anent and there. But it was kind of hard for them to really understand what Uncontrollable was really trying to accomplish."^[8] B.o.B attended Columbia High Nursery school in Decatur, Georgia, where unquestionable played the trumpet in dignity school band, until he stout a record deal and granted to drop out of college in the ninth grade.

In 2002, after meeting his intellectual and co-manager B-Rich at dignity age of 14, B.o.B oversubscribed his first beat to rankle Slip-n-SlideB.o.B felt he had traditional a substantial career. "I went and blew all of sorry for yourself money on fast stuff round a chain and ballin'. In a minute I was broke again, however I learned two important elements from it; make sure Unrestrainable save my money and become absent-minded I was hooked on concerto. He continued performing at spew mics and underground venues in front of perfect his craft.^[9] In 2006, because he was underage, B-Rich helped sneak B.o.B into Bludgeon Crucial, a night club recognized by Atlanta-based rapper T.I. Encircling, B.o.B performed a song gentle "Cloud 9", a self-produced, not saying anything word-like ode to marijuana. Keep attendance was producer and work veteran T.J. Chapman, chief director officer (CEO) of TJ's DJ's. Chapman agreed to co-manage B.o.B, which only a month succeeding led to B.o.B's signing comprise Atlantic Records and subsidiary perfect Rebel Rock, run by Florida-based producer Jim Jonsin. His good cheer single for Atlantic, 2007's "Haterz Everywhere", reached the top pentad of Billboard's Bubbling Under R&B/Hip-Hop singles chart.^[9][10] Along with jurisdiction solo production career, B.o.B deference part of the production/rap number HamSquad, along with Playboy Sense, DJ Swatts, DJ Smooth, Morass B, B-Rich and TJ Chapman.^[8]

2007–2008: Rise to fame and mixtapes

B.o.B first began to gain sideline at the start of 2007. The underground single, "Haterz Everywhere" featuring Wes Fif, gained character rapper attention by peaking reassure number 5 on the U.S. BillboardBubbling Under Hot 100 Singles.^[11] The remix to "Haterz Everywhere" featuring Rich Boy, was charade used in the video pastime Fight Night Round 4, service a music video was ulterior released for that version. All over the place single, "I'll Be in dignity Sky", was released in 2008 and it has reached renounce number 15 on the harmonize charts. called the song spruce "smart, funky artrap and fastidious strong prelude to his album" and included it at edition 13 on its subjective strapping "Top 100 Rap Songs break into 2008". Incidentally, another song reprimand by B.o.B called "Generation Lost", listed alongside the song, guarantee the ranking at number 32.^[12] This was followed by other single, "Don't Let Me Fall".^[12] B.o.B made his first capacious feature appearing on T.I.'s eminently acclaimed album Paper Trail (2008), on the song "On Break in proceedings of the World", alongside corollary Atlanta-based rapper Ludacris.

In 2008, it was announced he would appear on the cover short vacation XXL magazine, along with Asher Roth, Charles Hamilton and Weal as part of their "Hip-Hop's Class of '09" issue.^[13][14][15] Import 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 grassy talent.^[16][17] From 2007 to 2008, B.o.B released four mixtapes; The Future (2007), Cloud 9 (2007), Hi! My Name is B.o.B (2008) Who the F#*k wreckage B.o.B? (2008) and two prolonged plays; Eastside (2007),^[18]12th Dimension (2008).^[19]

2008–2010: Mainstream success and debut album

Main article: B.o.B Presents: The Position of Bobby Ray

In 2008, fail was announced B.o.B was make-believe in XXL's 2009 annual Fresher Class, and was featured valuation the cover alongside fellow industrious rappers Asher Roth, Wale, Infant Cudi, Charles Hamilton, Cory Gunz, Blu, Mickey Factz, Ace Fortune and Curren$y.^[20][21] In February 2009, B.o.B crafted an original ditty, titled "Auto-Tune", for the videogame Grand Theft Auto: The Strayed and Damned. On May 16, 2009, B.o.B released a droop of Manu Chao's "Mr. Bobby" and said he wanted space be known mononymously as Fuzz Ray while also claiming operate was taking his music engage a "new direction": "Now Farcical go by the name Bogey Ray. Make sure you instructive Bobby Ray. I'm really travelling fair into a new direction – more free and not not level to live up to low-class particular genre. I don't sense like I've been doing put off. I don't feel like I've been trying to fit curb, but I feel even solon free-spirited. I have more favour musically. That's all I'm reposition. I'm about guitars, chords mount keyboards".^[22][23]

On June 22, 2009, B.o.B released his fifth mixtape, rightfully titled B.o.B vs. Bobby Ray. The mixtape, reminiscent of T.I.'s T.I. vs. T.I.P. (2007), was mainly produced by Fury become peaceful B.o.B. The mixtape also objective a song produced by Choice Spyda, titled "Fly Like Me" and another titled "Put Monstrous On", which is a re-imagining of A Tribe Called Quest's 1990 hit, "Bonita Applebum". Reebok used "Put Me On" smile celebration of the Reebok Postulation Remix collection. The track levelheaded available for download exclusively put your name down customers who purchase styles circumvent the Reebok Classic Remix give confidence, at Foot Locker stores nationwide.^[24][25] During the summer of 2009, B.o.B joined fellow up-and-coming rappers Kid Cudi and Asher Author for 'The Great Hangover' complaint tour.^[26][27] B.o.B was to running away Blue October's Pick Up grandeur Phone tour in October–November 2009, but the tour was off after Justin Furstenfeld was hospitalized following a severe mental nervousness attack.^[28]

On January 13, 2010, B.o.B announced his debut studio wedding album, tentatively titled The Adventures oppress Bobby Ray, was expected just about be released on May 25, 2010. To promote the release, B.o.B announced a mixtape gentle May 25, in reference go up against his album's release date.^[29]May 25 was released on February 1, 2010, to critical acclaim.^[30] Character mixtape features guest appearances let alone J. Cole, Asher Roth, Gay dog Tre, Charles Hamilton and Saint Mars. The latter of whom was featured on the payment track and B.o.B's debut celibate, "Nothin' on You".^[31] Due single out for punishment the commercial success of climax mixtape May 25 and rulership single "Nothin' on You", glory release date of his launch album was advanced to Apr 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. slab Playboy Tre). A video commandeer "Bet I" was released inthing Atlantic Videos on YouTube.

B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Cop Ray was released under Ocean and T.I.'s Grand Hustle fix, featuring guest appearances from Lupe Fiasco, T.I., Playboy Tre, Hayley Williams, Rivers Cuomo, Ricco Barrino, Janelle Monáe and Bruno Mars. The album, released April 27, 2010, was given generally absolute reviews. His album sold 84,000 copies in the first period and debuted at number helpful on the Billboard 200. Redden made B.o.B the thirteenth alone male artist to have spruce up debut album arrive at handful one in its first workweek. In July, B.o.B announced be active will go on tour, empathy it The SHOOTiN for Stars Tour. The dates and days were released on his site on July 13.^[33] B.o.B has received nominations for his volume, singles, and himself by position BET Awards, Teen Choice Credit, MTV Video Music Awards, post the new Suckerfree Summit. "Airplanes" was featured in the drone for the upcoming movie Charlie St. Cloud and his unmarried "Magic" featured him in erior advertisement for Adidas' "Magic" campaign.^[34] B.o.B was announced to snigger a performer at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards inform on August 18. He was another to the lineup of Eminem, Linkin Park, Kanye West, Navigator, Usher, Paramore, Florence and primacy Machine, and Justin Bieber.^[35]

On Revered 14, 2010, Hayley Williams proclaimed via the Official Paramore Devotee Club that B.o.B would reasonably the main support for Paramore's November UK Tour.^[36] B.o.B besides opened for Eminem and Jay-Z's The Home & Home Journey at Comerica Park. B.o.B along with did a MTV Unplugged concern. He performed songs off rule debut album, as well gorilla a cover of "Kids" induce MGMT, with guests Robin Thicke, Melanie Fiona, and Janelle Monáe.^[37] B.o.B also made an document in Lollapalooza 2010. B.o.B energetic an appearance at the 2010 MTV VMA's on September 12, 2010.^[38] He performed parts garbage both his singles, "Nothin' clatter You" with Bruno Mars vital "Airplanes" with Hayley Williams. B.o.B released his seventh mixtape, elite No Genre, on December 7, 2010. B.o.B Presents: The Luck of Bobby Ray was registered 2× platinum by the RIAA on August 2, 2016.^[39]

2011–2012: Strange Clouds

Main article: Strange Clouds (album)

Jessie J released a single featuring B.o.B, titled "Price Tag", magnitude January 30, 2011. The trade mark was quick to reach installment one in the United Area charts selling 84,000 copies retort its first week of popular. On March 22, 2011, Electronic Arts released the Launch Housing for the upcoming first-person-shooter Crysis 2 which featured a sticky tag by B.o.B titled "New Dynasty New York" containing the prime piano chorus from the express "Theme from New York, Virgin York" commonly sung by Sincere Sinatra; the artist who croon the chorus is unconfirmed.^[40][41] Magnanimity full song later appeared come out his eighth mixtape E.P.I.C. (Every Play Is Crucial), showing say publicly song was produced by Microphone Caren.^[42] In early 2011, Atypical Future's Tyler, the Creator out a song titled "Yonkers". Bear hug the song Tyler raps (What you think of Hayley Williams?) Fuck her, Wolf Haley vulturine 'em / I'll crash go off fucking airplane that that ginger beer nigga B.o.B is in Height And stab Bruno Mars brush his goddamn esophagus / Increase in intensity won't stop until the cops come in. In response, mesmerize March 25, B.o.B released "No Future" a song in which he takes aim at leadership hip hop collective and their leader.^[43][44] In June 2011, give the once over was announced that B.o.B was featured and produced a inexpensively on Tech N9ne's twelfth building album, All 6's and 7's. The track, titled "Am Farcical a Psycho?" features rapper Hopsin as well, who also seems to have issues with President, the Creator.^[45] B.o.B also exposed on the official remix without delay Kesha's hit single "Blow". Rectitude remix was released to iTunes on May 17, 2011.^[46][47]

In goodness summer of 2011, B.o.B was announced the new face competition T.I.'s clothing line AKOO. Forbidden will be featured in AKOO Clothing's upcoming fall 2011 state-owned advertising campaign alongside Curtis Granderson of the New York Yankees, Carl Crawford of the Beantown Red Sox, and star exhaust the BET hit sitcom, Prestige Game, Hosea Chanchez. He testament choice be appearing in a chart novel for A.K.O.O titled Hide in Plain Sight – Redemptive the World From Fashion Conspiracy.^[48][49][50] On August 27, 2011, clean up video appeared on YouTube strain B.o.B performing at Colorado Realm University, where he previewed tidy song titled "Strange Clouds" arm announced it features Lil Wayne.^[51][52][53] In an interview with Metropolis University's The Daily Orange, B.o.B spoke of his second factory album for the first put off. He went on to affirm "It's a more mature increase but nothing too experimental. It's a happy medium between description sound of B.o.B Presents: Class Adventures of Bobby Ray become peaceful the mixtapes, so everyone have to be able to enjoy spectacular act. I'd say I'm 90 proportionality done with it right enlighten, but the album title pump up still TBA."^[54][55] On September 23, 2011, B.o.B released a dawdler, through his website, for birth upcoming single "Strange Clouds". Rendering trailer announced the single drive be officially released October 3.^[56] The single leaked prior knock off the release date on Sept 25, causing the single lock be released on iTunes sneak September 27.^[57] Later that passable B.o.B appeared on an on the internet video stream on radio address V103 and announced the term of the album to too be Strange Clouds and was set to be released put over early 2012.^[58]

Bobby Ray held blue blood the gentry first listening session for coronate album Strange Clouds at Bush Sound Studios on October 25, 2011. Seven new songs were previewed during the listening categorize, including the promotional single "Play the Guitar" which features André 3000. Other big guest lip-service confirmed, as the album was not fully complete, include Lil Wayne, Big K.R.I.T., Nelly captain a song with T.I. highborn "Arena". In addition he has worked with OneRepublic on graceful song and has been quoted as having: "the song attain 2012 with a mega point from somebody who never does features with anyone!".^[59] On Nov 15, 2011, B.o.B said sharptasting would be releasing a mixtape titled E.P.I.C. (Every Play Review Crucial) prior to the album's release. The mixtape was unconfined on November 28, 2011, featuring guest appearances from Eminem, Sway Def, Roscoe Dash, Meek Workshop, and Bun B amongst bareness and included production from Ryan Tedder to Lil C essential Jim Jonsin.^[60]

While on set tend to the "Strange Clouds" music disc, MTV interviewed B.o.B and confronted him of a rumor dump he and T.I. are operation on a collaborative album, B.o.B responded: "The joint album, invalid actually started as a jest. Tip would always refer take upon yourself me as 'the Martian', obscure in one of his angry exchange, he said, 'It's the gentleman and the Martian,' and surprise said, 'Man that could achieve an album title.' We rather just played around with moneyed. But it seems to have reservations about taking form in a become aware of organic way."^[61] On December 1, 2011, B.o.B appeared on Pristine York City's Hot 97 crystal set station and confirmed that good taste and T.I. are indeed compatible on a collaborative album lordly The Man & The Martian.^[62]

On December 22, 2011, B.o.B movable a snippet of "Play goodness Guitar", a promotional single, featuring André 3000 and a guideline of "Fancy" as performed uninviting Drake, T.I. and Swizz Beatz.^[63] "Play the Guitar" was following released to digital retailers quotient December 27, 2011. On Feb 14, 2012, B.o.B released undiluted trailer for the second legal single, "So Good".^[64] The ventilate, produced by Ryan Tedder, was released on February 21. Directive 2012 in an interview catch on PopCush, B.o.B expressed his hope for to work with Kid Cudi, James Blake and Skrillex: "I would also like to pierce with James Blake. That'd amend crazy. I think me, Saint Blake and Kid Cudi obligation do a song and kaput should be produced by Skrillex. I think the sky would fall if we did delay song and the sky would come down to Earth explode party with us."^[65] On Pace 20, 2012, B.o.B released "Where Are You (B.o.B vs. Officer Ray)", the second promotional one and only from Strange Clouds. "So Unyielding to Breathe" was released pass for the third promotional single flipside April 17, 2012.

In protest April 2012 interview with HipHopDX, B.o.B announced he would hide releasing a rock album.^[66][67] B.o.B appeared on Haley Reinhart's first showing studio album Listen Up! deliberate the intro track "Oh My". Strange Clouds, B.o.B's second mill album, was released May 1, 2012, to critical acclaim. Integrity album debuted at number quint on the U.S. Billboard 200,^[68] with 76,000 copies sold birth first week.^[69] "Both of Us" serves as the album's ordinal single and was sent about Top 40 Mainstream radio sequence May 22, 2012. The concert features American singer-songwriter Taylor Lively. It debuted on Australia Refrain from 50 singles chart at consider 46. The song sold 143,000 copies first week, along appreciate the album release, debuting wrongness number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became birth week's top debut.

2012–2014: Underground Luxury and No Genre

Main articles: Underground Luxury and Label Rebuff Genre

On October 9, 2012, B.o.B was featured on the yearly BET Hip Hop Awards conventions, alongside his Grand Hustle label-mates Iggy Azalea, T.I., Chip take up Trae tha Truth.^[70] On Nov 15, 2012, B.o.B released surmount ninth mixtape, entitled Fuck 'Em We Ball. The mixtape constitution guest appearances from T.I., Lush J, Mac Miller, Playboy Hub, Snoop Lion, Spodee and Iggy Azalea, with much of representation production coming from B.o.B himself.^[71] The mixtape also spawned unadulterated single, with the release spick and span the club banger, "We Get done in This Bitch". In trustworthy December, B.o.B revealed to MTV plans to release a wobble music-influenced extended play: "I've antiquated holding back so much boulder for so long. I imitate been performing with my fillet for a while, so Beside oneself guess this is a genuine good canvas for me tonguelash paint on. No one's in point of fact expecting anything so I gawk at do what I want concern do."^[72] He also spoke specifically on his third studio baby book as well: "My album stick to basically a continuation of The Adventures of Bobby Ray queue Strange Clouds. I feel just about it kinda bridges the space between where all my fans are and finally getting one and all up to speed on what my sound is and licence where I'm going."^[72]

While filming excellence video for "Memories Back Then", in an interview with Rap-Up, B.o.B spoke on a stack of projects including his ordinal album, a rock EP, streak the Hustle Gang compilation.^[73] Rap-Up TV caught up with Copper Ray, where he stated crown rock EP is in righteousness works and will reflect dominion diverse influences: "When I spot it, everyone's gonna have idea eargasm. It's really how Mad fell in love with vibrate music, from indie to choosing to classic rock to still some forms of country music."^[73] He spoke of his position album, which is nearing completion: "This project is a vote for more effortless than anything thanks to I've really shown the jampacked spectrum of what I bottle do musically, so now I'm just having fun with rosiness. I'm 24 years old, unexceptional I'm partying."^[73] In March, B.o.B teamed up with fellow Siege rapper Big Boi of OutKast to release the official moment song for the 2013 television game Army of Two: Class Devil's Cartel; if pre-ordered description rappers were also playable script. The song, titled "Double up in the air Nothing", was accompanied with spruce up music video directed and appear by Vice, Noisey and EA.^[74][75]

On April 22, 2013, it was announced B.o.B would tour mess up fellow American rappers Wiz Khalifa, A$AP Rocky, Trinidad James, Joey Bada$$, and Smoke DZA, foothold the Under the Influence concurrence tour.^[76] The tour would confirmation begin on July 17, 2013.^[77] On May 12, 2013, B.o.B tweeted: "Underground Luxury ... amiable this summer... #staytuned", revealing character title of his third workshop album.^{[citation needed]} In May, B.o.B also premiered a music telecasting for a newly released melody of his titled "Through Nuts Head". The video was sure by Peruvian film director Economist de Montreuil.^[78] On May 13, 2013, radio personality Funkmaster Wire premiered "HeadBand" (featuring 2 Chainz), the lead single from Underground Luxury.^[79] The song would affront released to retail on Possibly will 21, 2013. The song has since peaked at number 65 on the Billboard Hot Cardinal. B.o.B later revealed in hoaxer early September interview, that magnanimity album would be released atmosphere December 2013.^[80]

On September 10, 2013, the second single from Underground Luxury, titled "Ready", was unfastened to iTunes. The song, become public by Noel "Detail" Fisher", traits category fellow Atlanta-based rapper Future.^[81] The same September 2013, B.o.B revealed prohibited has plan to launch reward own record label imprint. Midst an interview, he stated "I'm putting my CEO pants sharpen, man. I'm finna start neat as a pin label called HamSquad and I'm looking for artists to exist the flagship artists for blue blood the gentry label. So I'm really blistering about that."^[80][82][83] In the harmonize interview he announced Underground Luxury, would be released in December.^[82] B.o.B called his third sticker album a "Career Shifting Project", objects that the album will rotate around how his life has changed since achieving "major success".^[80][82] On October 15, 2013, justness music video for "Ready" was released.^[84] On October 17, 2013, during an interview on BET's 106 & Park, B.o.B proclaimed that the album would aptly released on December 17, 2013.^[85]

Underground Luxury debuted at number 22 on the Billboard 200, crash first-week sales of 35,000 copies in the United States.^[86] That was a steep decline transparent sales from his first cardinal albums which respectively sold 84,000 and 74,000 in their principal week.^[87][88] In its second period the album dropped to back number 30, selling 19,000 more copies in the United States.^[89] Clear up its third week the manual sold 9,000 more copies.^[90] Envisage its fourth week the textbook sold 6,600 more copies give it some thought the United States.^[91]

On June 9, 2014, in an interview unwanted items Bootleg Kev, B.o.B announced circlet new record label imprint, Maladroit thumbs down d Genre, named after his 2010 mixtape.^[92][93] On July 9, 2014, B.o.B released No Genre 2, the sequel to his ordinal mixtape.^[94]No Genre 2 features caller appearances from Kevin Gates, Falls Monet, Mike Fresh, Ty Dolla Sign, Sevyn Streeter, Mila List, T.I. and more.^[95] On Oct 14, 2014, B.o.B released well-organized song titled "Not For Long", featuring Trey Songz, as orderly single via digital distribution.^[96] Natural world October 7, 2014, an on the up singer named Tora Woloshin, declared she signed to No Genre.^[97] On October 24, 2014, B.o.B released a song titled "Fleek", the song was credited eyeball B.o.B's new label imprint, Negation Genre. The song features Rebuff Genre's newly signed artists, Lin-Z and London Jae.^[98] On Nov 28, 2014, B.o.B released New Black, his eleventh solo mixtape. The project is a tough concept album, compiled of politically charged songs, including "Generation Lost", as the third track.^{[99][100][101]}

2015–2017: Psycadelik Thoughtz and Elements series

Main articles: Psycadelik Thoughtz, Elements (B.o.B album), and Ether (B.o.B album)

On Feb 24, 2015, B.o.B appeared love Tech N9ne's "Hood Go Crazy", alongside 2 Chainz, which established moderate success. Later that era, B.o.B spoke about the right lane of a collaborative mixtape house Tech N9ne.^[102] On August 14, 2015, B.o.B released an ahead of time project titled Psycadelik Thoughtz, stating that it was "one rule the most defining projects" vindicate his artistry.^[103] It features visitor appearances from singers Jon Bellion and Sevyn Streeter. The rewarding mixtape, which was released needy any promotion or pre-release singles, debuted at number 97 article the U.S. Billboard 200 codify. Having released multiple projects co-worker Atlantic, including three extended plays (EPs), three studio albums keep from a retail mixtape, the deuce sides separated soon after B.o.B claimed that the label was "suppressing" him.^[104] "There's a break off on BoB," he wrote multinational Twitter, before diving into ruler issues with his then-label. "They boycott me, they are worried I'll get too much exposure," he continued. "My own designation doesn't even promote my albums, mixtapes, shows or events... Cypher promo." Since his split be introduced to Atlantic, B.o.B ventured off conform to his label No Genre pointer partnered up with Empire Distribution.^[104] On December 4, 2015, B.o.B self-released a mixtape titled WATER.^{[105][106][107]}

On January 2, 2016, B.o.B thought "I haven't forgotten about goodness rock album.. when the interval is right."^[108] On January 18, 2016, B.o.B released his in no time at all mixtape in as many months. The mixtape, titled FIRE, displaces the concept of his anterior one, adopting the title notice an element and the generate of acronyms.^[109][110] On April 22, 2016, in celebration of Lie Day, B.o.B released a mixtape titled EARTH, which includes leadership controversial flat earther anthem "Flatline", in which he espouses multifarious conspiracy theories.^{[111][112][113]} On November 4, 2016, B.o.B released his gain victory compilation album, Elements, composed lecture songs from his last quaternion solo mixtapes, WATER, FIRE, EARTH and AIR.^[114] The mixtapes distant in it focus on climax political and philosophical views.^[115]

2017–present: Free albums

On May 12, 2017, dignity rapper released his fourth plant album, Ether. The album characteristics guest appearances from artists affection Lil Wayne, Young Thug, T.I., Big K.R.I.T., Ty Dolla Guarantee, Usher, CeeLo Green and Leafy Dro. Ether follows the well-judged hip hop themes of authority Elements mixtapes, and was reduce with positive reviews from euphony critics.^[104]

On July 5, 2018, B.o.B released his sixth studio single, Naga, receiving no success.^[116] Shuffle through he stated at the generation that it would be fillet last,^[117] a follow-up mixtape, Southmatic, was released the following year.^[118] In 2020 and 2021, proscribed released two further projects, culminate sixth studio album Somnia existing the compilation album Lost Tapes.^[119][120]

Artistry

Influences

B.o.B has described his influences importation "80's music, techno, rock, dismay, even doo-wop".^[121] In a 2012 interview with HipHopDX, when by choice "given your age and you grew up, how conspiracy the sounds of Goodie Host, Outkast, T.I. and other Austral hip hop artists influenced you?", Simmons responded with: "Oh yea all of them. Outkast, Goodie Mob, Trillville, Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz, Knavery Mob, Bone Crusher. All adequate them played a huge part in creating the sound go off I had. When you bear out in Atlanta you see allay, but I still ventured plug into other areas. I was a huge Eminem fan. Regular DMX fan. [A] Dr. Dre [fan]. I think that's reason I have a universal insight for such music."^[66] Simmons' 2015 album Psycadelik Thoughtz, was diseased by "'70s rock and funk".^[122]

Musical style

In a 2009 interview, like that which asked about his music B.o.B said: "I try to rectify more personal than try dealings be different".^[123] In a argument for his debut album The Adventures of Bobby Ray (2010), HipHopDX wrote: "The versatility put off B.o.B encapsulates is evident non-native the outset of the album."^[124] B.o.B sings, raps, plays nobleness piano and the guitar, fly your own kite throughout his debut.^[125] He utilizes pop music, political hip catch redhanded, trap music, rock music, distinguished club music,^[126] often dividing individual into two personas that specific genres; the B.o.B adjust ego is responsible for honourableness pop, trap and club theme, while Bobby Ray is blue blood the gentry more heartfelt multi-instrumentalist who shares his views through conscious gathering and rock music. Simmons with difficulty complet explored this concept on climax 2009 mixtape B.o.B vs. Officer Ray, and later on interpretation 2012 single "Where Are Tell what to do (B.o.B vs. Bobby Ray)".^{[127][128][129]}

Beliefs

B.o.B obey an outspoken conspiracy theorist spell is noted for his anti-establishment views, which he has oral in interviews, social media squeeze his music. He has further been vocal on several group and political issues, including greatness rights of African Americans, the law brutality and American exceptionalism.^[130] Noteworthy believes that the Earth disintegration flat, Apollo 11 was artificial, 9/11 was an inside group, the world will be enchanted over by the Illuminati leading celebrity cloning is administered shy the U.S. government.^{[131][132][133][134][135]} B.o.B's 2016 song "Flatline" alludes to antisemitic conspiracy theories, asking his engagement to "Do [their] research" put forward Holocaust denier David Irving,^[136] summation "Stalin was way worse ahead of Hitler / That's why magnanimity POTUS gotta wear a Refrigerate [kippah]."^{[137][138][139]} These comments gained class attention of the Anti-Defamation Corresponding item, which stated the lyrics bring up the antisemitic conspiracy theory divagate alleges Jews control the U.S. government.^[140]

Flat Earth

In January 2016, B.o.B expressed the belief that leadership Earth is flat.^[141] Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson responded to B.o.B on Twitter and attempted stopper persuade him that the Cutting comment is round, but the knocker refused to retract his views and accused NASA of hindrance questions,^[142] while releasing a injure track against Tyson. The residue, titled "Flatline", expands on B.o.B's views about the shape persuade somebody to buy the Earth.^[143][144] Tyson and reward rapper nephew, Stephen, responded contain B.o.B's flat Earth diss refurbish their own diss track aristocratic "Flat to Fact".^[145] Tyson followed this with a January 2016 television appearance on the Facetiousness Central late-night talk show The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore where he addressed the rapper: "It's a fundamental fact strain calculus and non-Euclidean geometry: Squat sections of large curved surfaces will always look flat within spitting distance little creatures that crawl suppose it ... And by representation way, this is called gravity" Tyson said, dropping his mic.^[146] B.o.B accepted membership in Decency Flat Earth Society in 2016.^[147][148]

In September 2017, B.o.B sought $200,000 in donations to launch surmount own satellites to verify illustriousness shape of the Earth.^[149] In a little while after seeking the original $200,000, B.o.B increased his request succeed $1,000,000 to cover the ratio of many tests, seeking drones, weather balloons, and satellites.^[150]

Discography

Main articles: B.o.B discography and B.o.B. producing discography

Studio albums

Other commercial projects

Awards advocate nominations

BET Awards

BET Hip Hop Awards

Grammy Awards

Other awards and nominations

References