Bobby Ray Simmons Jr., known professionally as B.o.B, is an American rapper, singer, and record producer. Raised in Decatur, Georgia, Simmons signed with producer Jim Jonsin through his Rebel Rock Entertainment label in 2006. Two years later, he signed a joint venture recording contract with fellow Georgia rapper T.I.'s Grand Hustle Records, an imprint of Atlantic Records. Following his major-label deal, Simmons quickly achieved commercial success when his 2009 debut single, "Nothin' on You", peaked the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and received three nominations-Record of the Year, Best Rap Song, and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration-at the 53rd Grammy Awards.
His 2010 follow-up singles, "Airplanes" and "Magic", peaked at numbers two and ten on the Billboard Hot 100, respectively. All three preceded the release of Simmons' debut studio album The Adventures of Bobby Ray, which was promoted by two extended plays and several self-released mixtapes. The album peaked atop the Billboard 200, received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America, and saw critical praise for its blending of alternative hip hop, pop rap, and rock.