Dr. Luke

Music Video: B.o.B. ft. Rivers Cuomo > Magic

Song: Magic ft. Rivers Cuomo
Artist: B.o.B.
Album: B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray
Producer: Dr. Luke
Label: Atlantic / Grand Hustle
Genre: Hip Hop / Pop Rap
Notes: Third single from 1st LP
Analysis: The verse lyrics are inane, but I’ll  be damned if this song isn’t catchy enough for you. In the video, Rivers Cuomo finally fulfills his dream of being in a rap video, and is just as awkward as expected.

Wikipedia | Last.fm| Pitchfork

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

Album: B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray
Artist: B.o.B
Label: Grand Hustle / Atlantic
Genre: Hip Hop / Southern Rap / Pop Rap
Length: 47:56
Featured Artists: Eminem, T.I., Rivers Cuomo, Lupe Fiasco, Bruno Mars, Hayley Williams, Janelle Monae, Playboy Tre, Ricco Barrino
Featured Producers: B.o.B, Polow da Don, Jim Jonsin, T.I., The Smeezingtons, Alex da Kid, Crada, Dr. Luke, A.D., Kutta
Links: Wikipedia | iTunes
Analysis: B.o.B has a unique singing voice, an entertaining rhyme style, and from everything I’ve heard about or seen from him, is a great, passionate performer. His strengths lie in the execution of the ideas, but the ideas themselves could use some work. Many of the lyrics on The Adventures of Bobby Ray would be considered not very good, if B.o.B wasn’t so talented otherwise. There are moments on just about every song that left me wondering if he ever edited his words or just settled on first drafts; a strict hip hop artist may be able to get away with no rewrites, but when you’re singing just as much as you’re rapping, you’re giving people more time to dissect weak songwriting. The best moments on this record are when B.o.B doesn’t try to sound intellectual, or try to self-spark comparisons to Andre 3000. The best moments are when he just has fun with the music, and fills the air with the backyard BBQ tunes that he’s a pro at. The Adventures of Bobby Ray is heavy on fluff, but still is a great summer time album.
Rating: 7.0
Highlights: ‘Don’t Let Me Fall‘ • ‘Nothing on You‘ ft. Bruno Mars • ‘Bet I’ ft. T.I. & Playboy Tre • ‘The Kids’ ft. Janelle Monae • ‘Magic’ ft. Rivers Cuomo
Continue reading →