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Rapper B.o.B. returns to his successful pop sound

By Terrance Ross

Senior Staff Writer

Published: Monday, February 27, 2012

Updated: Monday, February 27, 2012

BOB

IDOLATOR.COM

B.o.B.’s debut album, The Adverntures of Bobby Ray, debuted at No. 1 on the charts.

It has been a difficult task to pinpoint exactly where B.o.B's career was heading since his debut album. The successful B.o.B presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray did not immediately strike a chord with hip-hop enthusiasts. However, it had widespread commercial success. Since then, B.o.B has been prone to random collaborations and oddly themed tracks.

With his new album, Strange Clouds, set to drop May 1 and the success of his first single by the same name, Bobby Ray recently released his latest single "So Good." The melodic song takes the Atlanta rapper back to his roots as an artist, a far cry from the random barrages of money-boasting and self-praising tracks he has released in the past couple years.

"So Good" has revealed that, quite frankly, no one does pop rap quite like B.o.B., and his latest offering from his upcoming new album fits this description accurately. Ryan Tedder, who is the lead singer of One Republic, produced the track, which does not fail to live up to its hopeful name and actually surpasses the lofty expectations. The soaring track, backed by a melodic keyboard, is Bobby Ray's catchiest tune since his 2010 megahit "Airplanes" with Hayley Williams of Paramore. While the concept of a vacation fantasy with a potential mate is nothing new in hip-hop (Lupe Fiasco's "Paris,Tokyo" inevitably comes to mind), Bobby Ray's funky take on the theme renders this version simply enjoyable.

Though the song will never be regarded as a lyrical masterpiece, it doesn't have to be. In fact, it is simplicity that has garnered its early success. B.o.B and his witty lyrics are coupled perfectly here with a soaring chorus that sounds tailor-made for the upcoming spring season.

"We ain't gotta rush just take it slow / we'll be in the high life, soaking up the sunlight, anything you want is yours," B.o.B sings on the chorus, enticing potential mates everywhere.

For many of his die-hard fanatics it is refreshing to hear him getting back to crafting melodic material. On the chorus, B.o.B also showcases his singing skills:

"Girl tell me how you feel / What your fantasy / I see us on a beach down in Mexico / You can put your feet up / Be my senorita."

And B.o.B further purports the catchy vibe of the song by adding "la la la" ad-libs, which fans cannot help but sing along to. It seems inevitable that B.o.B has yet another big hit on his hands with "So Good," as it has the ability to catch the ear of fans across different genres.

Unlike his previous two singles "Strange Clouds" and "Play the Guitar," which inevitably found B.o.B collaborating with fellow rappers Andre 3000 and Lil Wayne, Bobby Ray rides solo on this feel good track. While "Strange Clouds" was lauded for its hard-hitting lyrics and even harder beat and "Play the Guitar" was even more of a quintessential rap song, "So Good" has pop appeal. The track is much more reminiscent of the crossover, radio friendly songs B.o.B has released in the past, to much praise.

So far, the Strange Clouds album seems to be shaping up quite well and B.o.B has been showing a lot of growth thus far. The first three singles have showcased his range, and "So Good" may just be the pick of the bunch.

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