奇异云彩 (2012)

Strange Clouds is the second studio album by American rapper B.o.B, released on May 1, 2012, under Grand Hustle Records, Rebel Rock Entertainment, and Atlantic Records. The album features guest appearances from Morgan Freeman, Taylor Swift, Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, T.I., Nicki Minaj, Ryan Tedder, Lauriana Mae, Playboy Tre, Trey Songz, Nelly and Roscoe Dash, while the production was handled by Dr. Luke, Cirkut, Ryan Tedder, Lil' C, Mynority, Stargate, Frequency, Mike WiLL Made It, P-Nasty, Super Water Sympathy, Kutta, Billboard, Jamieson Jones, Jim Jonsin and B.o.B himself.

Four singles were released from the project. The first single, the title track (featuring Lil Wayne), was released on the 27th of September, 2011, and peaked within the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. The next two singles, "So Good" and "Both of Us" (featuring Taylor Swift) were also modestly successful, peaking at number 11 and 18 respectively. The fourth single, "Out of My Mind", was the album's final single and features Nicki Minaj. "Where Are You (B.o.B vs. Bobby Ray)" and "So Hard to Breathe" were released as promotional singles for the album, and the single "Play the Guitar" was also released for the album, but was later excluded from the album's track listing. Three other songs, "Arena" (featuring Chris Brown and T.I.), "Ray Bands", and "Castles" (featuring Trey Songz) would also chart.

Upon its release, the album received positive reviews from music critics. It debuted at number 5 on the Billboard 200, witnessing a slight commercial decline from its predecessor, B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray. It also topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Top Rap Albums charts and peaked within the top 10 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart. Strange Clouds was also certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for equivalent sales units of 1,000,000 copies in the United States.

Background

B.o.B first spoke of the album, back in May 2011 in an interview with MTV. "I would have to parallel my album coming out to my first one," he told MTV at the South by Southwest music festival. "The first time you record an album is way more exciting than the second time. Not that the second time isn't exciting, it's just ... the initial excitement of finally having that first album." During the interview he stated: "I think that people will definitely be surprised at the music they hear on the second album, I don't think they would expect that coming from me."

On June 9, 2011, B.o.B confirmed he was working on the follow-up album to his debut, B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray (2010). In a statement given to Detroit's Mlive.com, Bobby Ray said: "I’m really excited about this one. You’re always excited about every project. But I really feel like I’m in my groove with this one. I’m more aware of myself as an instrument, as a sound. It's more intentful." As the Atlanta rapper continued, he spoke on his process of making songs as if he was performing the song live: "I make music just to perform it. A lot of the thought process (of working on an album) goes into actually performing it."

On September 27, 2011, B.o.B appeared on an online video stream on Atlanta's V-103 WVEE radio station, to promote the lead single "Strange Clouds". While there he announced the title of the album to also be Strange Clouds and revealed the album was to be released in early Spring of 2012. Bobby Ray held the first listening session for the album at Tree Sound Studios on October 25, 2011. Seven new songs were previewed during the listening session, including his single "Play the Guitar" which features André 3000. Other guest appearances confirmed, as the album was not fully complete, include Lil Wayne, Big K.R.I.T., Nelly and a song with T.I. titled "Arena". In addition he has worked with OneRepublic on a song and has been quoted as having: "the song of 2012 with a mega feature from somebody who never does features with anyone!".

On November 15, 2011, B.o.B revealed a then-upcoming mixtape titled E.P.I.C. (Every Play Is Crucial) prior to the album's release. The mixtape was released on November 28, 2011, featuring guest appearances from Eminem, Mos Def, Roscoe Dash, Meek Mill, and Bun B, and included production from Ryan Tedder to Lil' C and Jim Jonsin. Two songs off the mixtape, "What Are We Doing" and "Guest List", both appear on the Deluxe Edition as bonus tracks, respectively. The album was originally set to be released on March 13, 2012, however on February 9, B.o.B announced the album had been pushed back, and the new release date was May 1, 2012. On February 21, 2012, the official second single, "So Good", was released to radio and digital download.