Mixtape Review: DJ Drama DJ Sense And B.o.B- May 25th Mixtape

Posted On: February 1, 2010
Posted By: odeisel
Comments: 1

By Odeisel

B.o.B. has been fighting to get out of the mid range game for a few years. This latest tape finds him aligned with the Aphiliates and DJ Drama along with Grand Hustle for his newest work under the moniker of alias Bobby Rae for the May 25^th Mixtape.

The tape opens to with “The Biz” which finds Bobby Ray going in over the “Shook Ones” instrumental. Never a bad idea, and it finds B.o.B abandoning the playful steez on the final verse. “Champion” finds the artist seemingly triumphant delivering a bouncywell-timed Killer Mike-like flow that masks the lyrical simplicity on this song. Playboy Tre comes through to slow it down on “Bet I” which flaunts the double time flow on the slow 808’s that you’ve come to love from the south. Good song to keep the listener off pace.

“Gladiators” features the young and hungry J. Cole. The slow burn beat suits B.o.B. very well and he flows over it butter over hot biscuits style. Cole is rapidly developing that same rookie gravity that Drake has and his rhymes are flat out dope. What B.o.B. does with flow, Cole does lyrically. This track is followed up by the self produced guitar driven “Out Of Time.” The plunking strings and the sing-song flow go together well and puts B.o.B’s inherent musicality on full display. This edge could be used to create separation from his contemporaries if he honed his craft in this lane. The second verse brings in live drums that cradle his flow and push it closer to the rap side but with good results.

“B is for R.o.B” is a quirky interesting track that on its own stands as solid and creative in construction but in stark contrast to the preceding song. It could have done with a song between the two to buffer the differing feel of both songs. “Fuck The Money” could have used John Legend on the hook but the piano paced vibe is smooth and robust with rhythm. The song deals with getting overwhelmed with the mania attached with the music business. Asher Roth guest stars sounding vocally very close to Eminem, if not in flow and delivery. B.o.B owns the track but Roth doesn’t get drowned out. Well-placed sample dances with the song “Testify” style.

“The Rain,” another self produced work has some low heavy pianos and a lively, musical chorus again showcases B.o.B’s real talent. It’s very robust in composition and stands as proof that perhaps this lane, where none of his peers have the ability to venture, may be a great home for him musically. Nothing out sounds like this.”Uno Is My Numeral” is a bit more traditional, but far more aggressive and sinister than he’s been on the earlier part of the album. He doesn’t sound out of his element and for someone so “different” that’s a compliment. Infinity gets absolutely busy behinds on the boards on this one. He stays there for the fun “Surprise Me” which sneaks up immediately with no warning. It is basic dope beat with dope rhymes on top.

B.o.B. returns on the beats with acoustic guitar flavor on “I Don’t Feel So Good.” It feels a bit John Forte-ish, but there aren’t many people on the Hip-Hop periphery that could successfully handle a song like this. B.o.B. reverses field and goes lighter in tenor with “Cool Side.” Having these two songs together shows his range as an artist in terms of song construction feel and delivery. Fantastic.

“Fool For Love” features rap’s Charlie Brown, Charles Hamilton. The song’s quirky, synth-heavy feel is a fit for both artists and while not great, it’s solid. Hamilton rips it. No really. The final salvo “Nothing For You” featuring Bruno Mars is one hell of a closer with solid energy, that maintains the general feel of the album and serves as a summation for the album: Inventive, fun, and courageous. He doesn’t reinvent the wheel but he put it on dubs.

In closing, B.o.B. may not have found his niche as of yet, but he has the talent and seemingly the will to carve out his own lane if he gets the proper support. Drama stays mostly out of the way and that is to his credit. The pairing is not forced and is as natural as the slept on Little Brother Gangsta Grillz of a few years ago. You should have this in your life.

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