Bobby Ray Simmons Jr. (born November 15, 1988), known professionally as B.o.B, is an American rapper and record producer from Decatur, Georgia.
In 2006, B.o.B was discovered by Brian Richardson. B.o.B quickly rose to fame after his commercial debut single “Nothin’ on You” (featuring Bruno Mars), reached number one in both the United States and the United Kingdom in 2009.
He would later release his third single “Airplanes” (featuring Hayley Williams of Paramore), which also topped several major music charts. B.o.B’s debut studio album The Adventures of Bobby Raywas released in April 2010.
The album reached number one on the US Billboard 200 and was eventually certified 2× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 2016. B.o.B was named the ninth “Hottest MC in the Game of 2010” by MTV, on their annual list.
No. 4. Nothin On You feat. Bruno Mars: The song serves as the debut single of both American rapper B.o.B and singer-songwriter Bruno Mars, from B.o.B’s debut studio album, B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray (2010). It was first released on December 15, 2009, via digital download by Atlantic Records. The track was written by B.o.B and its producers Mars, Philip Lawrence, and Ari Levine. The song was initially written for Lupe Fiasco, but Atlantic Records’ chairman, Craig Kallman, gave it to B.o.B after being displeased with Fiasco’s version. The song took several months to finish and was born from a hummed melody by Mars and Lawrence.
He was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He played the trumpet in his school band from elementary school through high school. Although his parents wanted him to continue his education, B.o.B decided in sixth grade that he wanted to pursue a music career. His father, a pastor, disapproved of his son’s choices, until he realized B.o.B was using music as a form of therapy and a creative outlet. B.o.B later reflected on his experience, saying, “They’ve always supported me. They got my first keyboard to make beats on and they helped me out getting equipment here and there. But it was kind of hard for them to really understand what I was really trying to accomplish.
No. 3. Strange Clouds feat. Lil Wayne: Produced by Dr. Luke and Cirkut, The song serves as the lead single from his second studio album of the same name. In its first week, it sold 197,000 digital copies, debuting at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has sold over 1.3 million digital copies worldwide. On the week of October 10, 2011 the song debuted at number seven on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 making it the “Hot Shot Debut” of the week. In the first week of the song’s release it sold 197,000 digital copies debuting at number three on the U.S. Hot Digital Songs.
No. 2. After Hourzzz: Released in 2020 and Off his most recent Album Somnia, The song serves as the first track off the album and was produced by Tay Keith.
Bonus Track. So Good: Released on February 21, 2012, through Grand Hustle Records and Atlantic Records, via digital download as the second single from his second studio album, Strange Clouds (2012).
As an Artist, B.O.B has seven studio albums, three compilation albums, three extended plays (EPs), and twenty-one mixtapes. It is also important to note that B.O.B has many nominations but very few awards won.
No. 1. Airplanes feat. Hayley Williams: Released in April 2010, as the third single from his debut studio album, B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray. B.o.B co-wrote the song alongside Kinetics & One Love, Alex da Kid, DJ Frank E, and Christine Dominguez. DJ Frank E also co-produced the song with Alex da Kid. It peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100. Outside of the United States, the song topped the charts in New Zealand and the United Kingdom, and peaked within the top ten of the charts in Australia, Canada and the Republic of Ireland. “Airplanes, Part II”, the sequel to the song, features new verses from B.o.B, and a verse from fellow American rapper Eminem, while Williams’s vocals remained identical to the original. This collaboration led to a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals. The Song also earned him an award at the 2010 Teens Choice Award for the Summer Music category.
