By Matt Sherman, Staff Writer

B.o.B smashes all stereotypes associated with the genre of hip-hop. This young Atlanta-based rapper breaks the mold of the regular rap game.

A high school dropout who was signed to T.I.’s Grand Hustle label and Atlantic Records at the age of 18, Bobby Ray Simmons sang in his church choir and sold his first beat at 15 for $1,000.

His numerous musical talents set him apart; he can rap, sing, play guitar and piano, make his own beats and perform unbelievably well. His hit singles “Haters,” “I’ll Be in the Sky” and “Nothing on You” made him popular, and his quality mix tapes are the cause of his status.

As for studio albums, April 27 is the release date of his debut.

B.o.B often displays a split persona: the rambunctious, loud mouth gangster rapper and the real Bobby Ray — the cooler, funkier person. This duality is reminiscent of Outkast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.

His somewhat weak lyrics are made up for by his unmistakable, butter-smooth voice and his knowledge of pure rhythm. By mixing in guitar and piano, he can complete a song by himself with no need to hire a producer or singer — because B.o.B has it all.

His first mix tape, with an unprintable title, is full of obnoxious screaming DJs and because of this the music is almost overlooked and it cannot be appreciated.

But in his 2009 release of B.o.B vs. Bobby Ray he offered a DJ-free version of the mix tape that was widely appreciated — his true musical talent showed. By ditching the regular method of spitting rhymes on other people’s beats for a mix tape, he instead created completely original songs. This mix tape is as professionally done as an album. A couple of songs from the mix tape are to be released on his album, B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray.

In promotion for his new album B.o.B released a mix tape called May 25^th on Feb. 1. May 25 was the original release date for the album but the record company moved it forward based on popular demand.

Fans are anxiously awaiting B.o.B’s first album. He has the potential to change the music industry forever. B.o.B. is possibly the most versatile artist in decades and shouldn’t disappoint.