Six-time Grammy® nominated rapper/songwriter B.o.B aka Bobby Ray Simmons Jr, is headed to New Zealand for one show only before heading to Australia to join the Big Day Out 2013 tour. Headlining a new All Ages event called “PLAY” the American hip hop recording artist, singer-songwriter and record producer is returning to NZ, playing Auckland’s Logan Campbell Centre on Wednesday January 16th with a stellar line-up of local artists from the Illegal Musik stable.
B.o.B. is not an artist to be bound by any restrictions or the need to conform to expectations. He has a unique talent in that he produces, writes, raps, arranges, and mixes his own music. He is a one stop music creation shop from top to bottom. This allows B.o.B the rare opportunity of recording with reckless abandon. It is a freedom that he willingly accepts. “I am constantly coming up with songs and concepts because I want to sound different. Nobody made it by sounding like everyone else.”
This young Atlanta native’s debut single “Nothin’ on You” featuring Bruno Mars, reached number one in both the United States and the United Kingdom. His second single “Airplanes”, a duet with Hayley Williams of US band Paramore, also peaked at number one in the UK and number two in the US. His third single “Magic” became B.o.B’s third consecutive top ten hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and the accolades have kept on coming since his debut album “B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray” reached number one on the US charts before being certified Gold.
Now B.o.B has just delivered his sophomore album “Strange Clouds” and he continues to redefine what people think ‘rappers’ do, stripping the typecast definitions aside and doing exactly what he wants, with whomever he wants. The proof of this refusal to conform continues as he composes duets with more superstars from Lil’ Wayne and Nicki Minaj to rapping opposite American country-pop princess Taylor Swift. There is no doubt that B.o.B’s unique talent and ability to create hit collaborations is sending this young well-travelled artist on a trajectory that is headed straight for the stars!
Also joining B.o.B is a local line-up that reveals some of our best hip hop and R&B talents, filling out a bill which will heartily satisfy the appetites of the most ravenous fans.
New Zealand’s hottest boy band, the record-breaking Titanium will have the teenage girls screaming their heads off, with a set list that will undoubtedly include their #1 debut hit single “Come On Home”, Jason Mraz’s “I Won’t Give Up” and second official single “Sky”. A trio of hits that made Titanium the first NZ artist to ever have all three songs in the New Zealand Top 40 singles chart at the same time. Further good news for their fans, Titanium have been hard at work in the studio working on their debut album “All For You”, which will be on sale from December 7th.
The line-up also includes smooth hip hop/R&B artist J Williams and prolific rap juggernaut K.One, both of whom have been busy abroad and will be back shortly to refine new material for the show.
Christchurch pop singer Brooke Duff took 2012 by storm with her debut single 'Till The End' and has been performing regularly with Illegal Banditz and K.One, which has seen her develop further into an exciting new live talent.
Last but not least, setting the pace and mood for the evening and putting his well-honed skills to good use is champion hip hop DJ and producer DJCXL, part of pioneering hip hop group Ill Semantics. The combination of these artists and their reputation for giving electrifying live performances are guaranteed to entertain the crowd!
This promises to be the perfect summer holiday event, with a line-up that will make the Logan Campbell Centre the place to be this 16th January 2013. Don’t miss your chance to see this show!
Tickets on sale Thursday 6th December at 8am
