Hip-Hop's Forum

By:Matias Manriquez (Editor & Writer: Hip-Hop’s Forum)

B.o.B shows off talents on new mixtape.

B.O.B. aka Bobby Ray teams up with Dj Drama and Dj Sense to drop his installment in the Gangsta Grillz Series, May 25th. The mixtape plays more like an album, with much of the production falling on Ray’s shoulders.

B.O.B has a lot of hype around his name, and the mixtape does an adequate job of identifying his strengths. Lyrically he’s not that impressive. He can rap, but its nothing that makes you yell, “Damn!” At times he sounds like an auto-tuneless T-Pain.

What is impressive is his production on the album. Besides having songs produced by Kanye West and Alchemist, Ray produced many of the songs best tracks: “The Rain”, “The Champion”, and “Cool Side”.

The Kanye produced “Fuck The Money” features Asher Roth who makes no attempt to sound different from Eminem. The instrumental is vintage West with a great piano piece and vocal sample.

Alchemist’s “Gladiators” features XXL  freshman J.Cole who’s impressive verse outshines Ray’s. “Nothing For You” pairs Ray with Bruno Mars and offers a good snippet of the rapper’s upcoming single.

While his lyricism isn’t uncanny, he does manage to grab your attention and keep it throughout May 25th. Ray does a good job in displaying his multiple personas and musical ability.

Download.

CLICK HERE to visit Bobby Ray’s aka B.O.B. MySpace page.

CLICK HERE to download May 25th (mixtape) free.