B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray. Artist: B.o.B. ASIN: B003BWQDZU. Label: Atlantic. Release Date: April 27, 2010.Description:
B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray is the first studio album from rap/hip-hop artist B.o.B. Many of the songs feature other popular artists spanning several genres, such as Hayley Williams of Paramore, Rivers Cuomo of Weezer, Bruno Mars, Janelle Monáe, and Eminem. Part of the concept for this album is based on the idea of balancing the rap star with the “real” Bobby Ray, but it isn’t a narrative in any way. The critical reception for the album was mixed, but it did well commercially. After debuting at number one, it managed to become the third best selling hip hop album of 2010.
Critical Evaluation:
B.o.B is a hip hop artist reminiscent of musicians such as Andre 3000 and Big Boi from Outkast - a duo which seems to have had a great influence on his style. Rather than simply relying on his rapping skills, he also sings and plays many of the instruments featured on his album and he does so with great talent. His choice of artists to partner with is surprising, but it works. No one would have expected the coupling of a new hip hop up-and-comer with Weezer’s front man, but “Magic” is the catchy and fun track. Though primarily a hip hop album, he draws inspiration from multiple musical styles including pop rock, jazz, and even a more laid back acoustic guitar style. This creates a unique style that isn’t often heard in hip hop. This experimentation with style is to be expected from a rapper who previously sampled the Beatles’ "Eleanor Rigby," but it almost leaves the listener wishing for more experimentation. His lyrics are clever, including such lines as “If you asked me what’s on my mind you probably won’t believe it/Cause if life was one big pool I’d be in the deep end.” This is a promising debut from a talented artist.
Annotation:
This is the debut studio album from B.o.B, featuring singles such as "Nothin' On You," "Airplanes," "Don't Let Me Fall," and "Bet I."
Artist Information:
B.o.B was born Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr. on November 15, 1988. He spent his childhood in Decatur, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. He was a musical child, playing several instruments in grade school, including the trumpet. In high school, he and a friend formed a production duo called Klinic. When his partner went to college, he launched his solo career.
In 2006, he signed with manager T.J. Chapman, who secured a deal with Atlantic Records. He released his first single for Atlantic in 2007, followed by other very successful singles. His debut album, B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray was released on April 27, 2010. He was nominated for 29 awards in 2010.
Genre:
Hip Hop
Curriculum Ties:
Music
Booktalking Ideas:
N/A
Interest Age:
14 and older
Challenge Issues:
Profanity
Drug references
Sexual Ccontent
Challenge Defense Ideas:
- Require the challenger to fill out a written challenge form with clear reasons stated and examples given.
- If not already familiar with the content, become familiar.
- Refer the challenger to the library's collection policy.
- Refer the challenger to reputable reviews of the books, as well as reviews by those in the book's target audience.
Reasons for Selection:
This is the already popular artist's debut album.
