ATL’s B.o.B steps in for the latest exclusive Industry Interview for THE3XGP.COM! Rick From Chicago talked to B.o.B about his upcoming debut album, his connection from DMX to Björk, gracing the XXL Freshmen class of ’09 cover, his thoughts on collaborating with Andre 3000, the Grammy Awards and more!

B.o.B

RFC: You said on your MySpace that it was DMX’s It’s Dark and Hell It’s Hot album that you studied and learned how to write bars and hooks.  What’s the one song off that album that stands out as your favorite?

B.o.B: The song that I remember the most is “Stop, drop, shut ‘em down open up shop oh, no That’s how Ruff Ryders roll” – Ruff Ryders Anthem (1998). The whole album was hot.  Back then we had bootlegs that were like tapes.  So I taped the whole album. And I used to listen on the tape everyday and flip it over.  So the whole album was what I was listening to.  It showed me how to rap, I put it in bars and wrote ‘em out.  And I followed the lines at the end.  Cause you know intuitively I could line them out “1, 2, 3, 4…1, 2,” know what I mean?  I would line them up and figure out how to rap and I’ve been on my way ever since then.

RFC: You are quoted as “I would never have a regular job, music is my life.” – Let’s just say the music thing didn’t work out, what would B.oB. be doing today?

B.o.B: I’d probably be a chef or an alchemist.

T.I. with B.o.B – 2008 BET Hip-Hop Awards

RFC: You are signed to Jim Jonsins’s Rebel Rock imprint as well as Atlantic/Grand Hustle. Jonsin had a big year in 2008 with smash singles for Lil’ Wayne’s Lollipop and T.I.’s Whatever You Like.  What can we expect from you 2 collaborating in the studio?

B.o.B: Me and him still have a lot more to do.  We’ve done a few tracks on mixtapes.  He’s very busy because of his success, so even for me it’s hard to get into the studio with him. Eventually we’ll get to the studio and get something done where we both will be on the same page that’s gonna be phenomenal.

B.o.B – I’ll Be In The Sky (2009)

RFC: Your new music video ‘I’ll Be In The Sky’ is a unique visual. Who wrote the treatment and directed the clip?

B.o.B: This guy named Gabriel Hart.  He wrote the original treatment and me along with the rest of team B.o.B made some revisions to it but you know it was really hands on for everybody.   It was a very good experience shooting the video, I had lots of fun doing it also at the same time.

RFC: We all now that Atlanta has a rich music history ranging from OutKast to Goodie Mobb, Ciara, Ludacris, T.I. Young Jeezy and more. But talk about the other artists that inspire you such as a Michael Jackson, Björk or a Coldplay?

B.o.B: Oh man, you did some research, ha ha! Björk, let me talk about Björk.  A long, long time ago, my cousin was listening to Björk, and I was like why is he listening to this!?  This is so crazy!   I used to say that for a lot of things. But my brother put me onto Coldplay years ago and I was like…they cool.  And all these artists, it was like the seed was planted.  And then later on I understood…and oh I get it – it’s not crazy.  That’s them and that’s who they are.  They’re unafraid to be that.  So it taught me to do what I wanna do regardless if people look at it like its crazy.  I’m a do it.  You know what I mean?  Just be free.  And if people gravitate towards that who are that free or who wannabe free its whatever.

XXL mag cover – December 2008

RFC: XXL put you on the cover of their freshman class issue and MTV recently named you one of the top MC’s to watch this year. How does it feel that your artistry is catching on with the rest of the music industry?

B.o.B: I feel real accomplished.   I feel like It was inevitable this following since I started.  And it’s the same time I still stayed focused on manifesting what it is that I came to do you know.  Really it’s just an honor, it hasn’t really set in.  You know reality for me changes so much, it hasn’t just set in as solid. Ok this is what I am and this is what I am…I just leave it open and allow things to happen.   There’s so many things like the LRG billboard in Times Square (New York) and things that just happened.  And I’m just allowing them to happen.  I’m just opening it up, letting it flow.

RFC: Your auto-tune video spoof has gotten over 400,000 views on YouTube.  You are a man of many musical trades. (singing, writing, producing). Will we be hearing any Auto-Tune on your upcoming debut album?

B.o.B: If I do, if definitely won’t be all of it.  Sometimes you might need to fix some pitches or somethin’…but I don’t really use it.  Maybe if I’m trying to do background vocals and make it sound likes a choir or if I need to do a lot of vocals I’ll use it.  In terms of the vocal presence in my voice, I’m not using auto-tune.

Charles Hamilton, Asher Roth and B.o.B – Change Gon’ Come (2008)

RFC: Your record with Charles and Hamilton and Asher Roth ‘Change Gon Come’ features a sample from ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’, a 1964 single by R&B singer-songwriter Sam Cooke.  44 years later Brack Obama is the nations 44th President. Describe how you felt when Barack became President.

B.o.B: Wow! I didn’t know that. 44 years later?  Nothing happens by coincidence!  Yeah that’s crazy, I never knew that. ..Barack Obama as president was definitely symbolic.  You know somebody asked me this same question earlier today and it was symbolic because it represents much more than just him becoming the president.  It’s about him presenting himself to the world and the energy that he carries.  And the dates and the numbers…him being the 44th President, winning on November 4th is no coincidence.  Everything is in order and I think synchronicity is definitely becoming known to the masses.  And that things are so fetched in stone as some people would like to think.  Anything is possible.

B.o.B Listening Session @ Big Spenda Studios (02-13-09)

RFC: I’m sure you’ve heard the comparisons by now. Is there any chance we will be hearing you and Andre 3000 on a record together?

B.o.B: Definitely in the future.  It just hasn’t manifested yet.  I’ve been communicating with him on that.  When the time is right and when our permissions permit, it will happen.

RFC: Your debut album The Adverntures of B.o.B. will be released on Atlantic Records later this year. What kind of adventure do you plan to bring to the table in 2009?

B.o.B: 2009 you know I have a lot of unexpected surprises that just keep getting better and better.  It’s going to be a climax that never hits its climax that just keeps building up.  But one day it will explode and blast over everybody.  The adventure will definitely be an adventure.  But what kind of adventure would it be if everybody knew?

RFC: So you want to leave it up to the people find out.

B.o.B: Oh definitely, definitely.

RFC: I read that you were recently featured in The Source’s Microphone Check column for March 2009. A lot of rappers have been profiled in this section and have gone on to big careers.

B.o.B: Yeah I used to look at it and said one day I’m a be here.   And it’s crazy, cause it happened.  It’s crazy how anything is possible and it just takes time…just takes time to manifest. It’s not like something is possible and something isn’t possible…everything is possible.  So it was like me reminding myself saying hey, everything is possible.  Remember you dreamt about this?  Yeah…yeah it happened.

RFC: You are a very talented musician and you play a lot of instruments. Which one is your favorite?

B.o.B: Guitar.  I love ‘em all man…but the guitar, that’s the one.

RFC: Are you performing on your album just the vocals or the instrumentation as well?

B.o.B: Yeah I’m doing the instrumentation.   I’m engineering it as well, you know the whole shebang.

B.o.B. – Generation Lost (2009)

RFC: Did you catch any of this year’s Grammy Awards show?

B.o.B: No I actually didn’t watch it.  I was in a hotel room with no internet access and sitting around playing the guitar really, ha ha.

RFC: In about one year’s time, do you see yourself on that stage?

B.o.B: Definitely.  And eventually winning an award.

RFC: Best New Artist maybe?

B.o.B: Best New Artist and Album of the Year!

RFC: Right now I’d like to do a little word association with you. I’ll mention to you some names or words and whatever comes to mind, you can respond back with a short answer that best sums it up.

B.o.B. Word Association

TJ Chapman: TJ Chapman is that bearded fellow who burns on bud.

Speakerboxxx/The Love Below: The album I actually listened to a few days ago.

B.o.B: Business over bullshit, been one better, or been one before.

RFC: Alright B.o.B., thank you for taking the time to talk with THE3XGP.COM, we wish you continued success and best of luck when your new album drops.

B.o.B: Definitely, much love and success to you also.