Hip Hop Block reviews Bobby Ray's new mixtape
Donald Vincent
Issue date: 9/8/09 Section: Arts & Society
Musical Artist, Bobby Ray Simmons is visible proof that hard work pays off when it comes to the hip-hop scene. Signed to Grand Hustle Records, a record label started by Clifford Harris Jr. (T.I.), Bobby Ray is finally getting some exposure three years later after making the cover of XXL magazine's top ten freshman rappers for 2009.
Formerly known as B.O.B., Ray has been a hometown favorite as majority of the backpack rappers who made the XXL cover such as Wale, Kid Cudi, Asher Roth, and Mickey Factz. With the advancements of technology and the Internet, it is easier to create a web-based audience and these rappers are doing just that.
But not everyone with a microphone, up-tempo dance-invoking beat, stylish fashion sense, ingenious wordplay, a swagger like rappers T.I. and Andre 3000 (half of the rap duo Outkast), and an Internet connection can truly consider themselves a rapper.
Looking at Kid Cudi and B.O.B., hip-hoppers can conclude that the rap game is something you have to be built for. Kid Cudi announced that his debut album would be his last due to the stress that comes from being famous. B.O.B. did just the same thing as he announced he would retire as well.
After deep contemplation, neither rapper is going to retire anytime soon; in fact, B.O.B. has retired B.O.B. as his stage name and has adopted his new alias-Bobby Ray. With his mixtape "B.O.B. vs Bobby Ray" we see the two egos battling one another. This isn't the first time hip-hop heads have seen this done though. Rappers Cassidy and TI have done it as well; however, this fight proves to be a cinematic one to the end!
On the first half of the mixtape, B.O.B. presents himself as a worthy opponent; however, Bobby Ray is the carefree and free-spirited individual that we see break out of B.O.B. and we truly see artistic expression where music genres clash so much listeners can't only dub it hip-hop, but also hip-pop!
So what else sets him apart from any other bored poet looking to cash in on the limelight and women that encompasses success-A diligent attitude.
Formerly known as B.O.B., Ray has been a hometown favorite as majority of the backpack rappers who made the XXL cover such as Wale, Kid Cudi, Asher Roth, and Mickey Factz. With the advancements of technology and the Internet, it is easier to create a web-based audience and these rappers are doing just that.
But not everyone with a microphone, up-tempo dance-invoking beat, stylish fashion sense, ingenious wordplay, a swagger like rappers T.I. and Andre 3000 (half of the rap duo Outkast), and an Internet connection can truly consider themselves a rapper.
Looking at Kid Cudi and B.O.B., hip-hoppers can conclude that the rap game is something you have to be built for. Kid Cudi announced that his debut album would be his last due to the stress that comes from being famous. B.O.B. did just the same thing as he announced he would retire as well.
After deep contemplation, neither rapper is going to retire anytime soon; in fact, B.O.B. has retired B.O.B. as his stage name and has adopted his new alias-Bobby Ray. With his mixtape "B.O.B. vs Bobby Ray" we see the two egos battling one another. This isn't the first time hip-hop heads have seen this done though. Rappers Cassidy and TI have done it as well; however, this fight proves to be a cinematic one to the end!
On the first half of the mixtape, B.O.B. presents himself as a worthy opponent; however, Bobby Ray is the carefree and free-spirited individual that we see break out of B.O.B. and we truly see artistic expression where music genres clash so much listeners can't only dub it hip-hop, but also hip-pop!
So what else sets him apart from any other bored poet looking to cash in on the limelight and women that encompasses success-A diligent attitude.
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