The Evolution of B.o.B

The MC-singer's new LP is the latest step in a long journey.

The Evolution of B.o.B - In 2009, B.o.B graced the cover of XXL magazine's annual Freshmen issue, which features hip hop's most promising new talent.(Photo: Courtesy XXL Magazine)
The Evolution of B.o.B - Talk about a quick start. The pop-rap hybrid "Nothin' on You," the first single from his debut album which featured hitmaking singer-songwriter Bruno Mars, hit No. 1 in the U.S.(Photo: Courtesy Atlantic Records)
The Evolution of B.o.B - The song pushed B.o.B's debut album, The Adventures of Bobby Ray, to a No. 1 debut on Billboard. B.o.B had arrived.(Photo: Courtesy Atlantic Records)
The Evolution of B.o.B - In one of the weirder recent rap beefs, B.o.B bumped heads with Tyler, the Creator. The Odd Future leader had randomly called out B.o.B on his 2010 hit "Yonkers," rapping, "I'll crash that fuckin' 'Airplane' that that f----t n---a B.o.B is in." B.o.B. responded with subliminal but powerful shots on the leaked track "No Future," which even had Tyler himself tweeting praise.(Photos: EPA/STEVE C. MITCHELL/Landov; Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)The Evolution of B.o.B. - After a star-making performance with Bruno Mars and Janelle Monáe at the 2011 Grammys, B.o.B dropped his eighth (!) mixtape E.P.I.C. (Every Play Is Crucial) late last year to ramp up the hype for his second album. (Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

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The Evolution of B.o.B - Talk about a quick start. The pop-rap hybrid "Nothin' on You," the first single from his debut album which featured hitmaking singer-songwriter Bruno Mars, hit No. 1 in the U.S.(Photo: Courtesy Atlantic Records)

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