Album Review: B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray

Lately we’ve been seeing a lot of rap singers dominating the pop charts, making a cross genre sound that not only sounds radio friendly, but sells millions of records. Unless you have been living under a rock since April, the name of Atlanta rapper B.o.B. has become a household name thanks to his astonishing debut album B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray. At the young age of 21, Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr., has been shattering records, landing a number one Billboard album in its first week selling an astronomical 84,000 copies. B.o.B. was one of only 13 artists ever to do this.

If we take a step back three years to 2007, B.o.B. was first gaining attention with his song “Haterz Everywhere,” and that attention continued in 2008 with his single “I’ll Be in the Sky,” which was housed on T.I.’s album Paper Trail.  But B.o.B.’s stab at his own record was a risky one. Many hip hop artists don’t understand the secret recipe to making a stellar mainstream album. But B.o.B. has successfully done so because he strategically added collaborations to his album. On paper, however, the mix of genres on the album sounds like it would be a total plane crash. Songs like the popular hit “Airplanes,” which features Hayley Williams of Paramore, appeals to a very pop-oriented audience, whereas tracks like “The Kids” featuring Janelle Monae are geared for toward the soulful listener. Add a bit of pop rock with the collaborative track from Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo titled “Magic” and a dose of downright dirty South rap with the track “Bet I” featuring T.I. & Playboy Tre, and what you get is a masterpiece. The album even has a cameo from rap legend Eminem in a remixed track to “Airplanes,” which is a great way to close a near perfect record.

This album proves that sometimes risk equals reward. And that’s why B.o.B. will be around for a while. All in all, it’s the mix of sounds, innovative tracks and B.o.B.’s solid vocals that make this album work. If he continues to play his cards right and can make a follow-up album of the same tactful nature, he’s sure to be around for time to come. The track listing to B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray are as follows:

1. “Don’t Let Me Fall”
2. “Nothin’ On You” (featuring Bruno Mars)
3. “Past My Shades” (featuring Lupe Fiasco)
4. “Airplanes” (featuring Hayley Williams)
5. “Bet I” (featuring T.I. and Playboy Tre)
6. “Satellite”
7. “Ghost in the Machine”
8. “The Kids” (featuring Janelle Monae)
9. “Magic” (featuring Rivers Cuemo)
10. “Fame”
11. “Lovelier Than You”
12.“5th Dimension” (featuring T.I. & Ricco Barrino)
13. “Airplanes (Part II)” (featuring Eminem and Hayley Williams)

 Check out an artist to watch profile for B.o.B.

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Image courtesy of Atlantic Records

Katherine Epstein for Citadel Digital  © 2010