B.o.B blends his unique version of hip-hop with pop music and contemporary R&B. Growing up east of Atlanta, in Decatur, Ga., the artist born Bobby Ray Simmons was exposed to the best of both worlds, taking daily bus trips from the “burbs to the hood,” and splitting his school years between attending magnet schools as well as the “urban” Columbia High School, alma matter of actor Chris Tucker. These early adventures through these environments that he never really fit into forced Bobby Ray to tune his ears to the many different types of music that were out there.

“Rap wasn’t my first exposure to music, but it definitely had the first impact on me,” says B.o.B. “I was watching DMX, 2Pac, Biggie and then Eminem. Growing up, you see them breaking rules and want to do that. That’s what made me turn from a fan to duplicate it and make my own.”

Looking at these examples, B.o.B began to cross that fine line between being bored and being bad while he was in high school. Finally a family friend, Brian “B-Rich” Richardson stepped in and told B.o.B that if he improved in school, Richardson would allow him to record music at his home studio.

B.o.B began experimenting with his new love for rap, and even became a member of a rap group called Da Clinic. But he almost got to the point of quitting the music business and just working at the mall near where he lived. Now his manager, B-Rich convinced B.o.B to stick to it and in a short while he would have a record deal.

Starting his career as a rapper at age 17, B.o.B performed a showcase at T.I.’s Club Crucial in spring 2006. In 2007 he released his debut single “Haterz Everywhere,” immediately making him a name and face to remember. Even after his career came to a high point, B.o.B. expanded even more by tuning the world into the pop side of his musical talents, showcasing his keyboard, guitar and drum skills.

After his roller coaster of a journey through life and music, B.o.B has more than succeeded in the world of music. For more information about B.o.B, visit his website at http://www.bobatl.com.

The club/rap group FKI is in a category all on its own. They sing about whatever they want to and don’t care what people think. “We are just two black kids who like to make crazy music,” say FKI members, 1st Down and Raye Rich.

Tickets are available at the Lane University Center Box Office, open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact the Box Office at 301-687-3137.

Situated in the mountains of Allegany County, Frostburg State University is one of the 12 institutions of the University System of Maryland. FSU is a comprehensive, residential regional university and serves as an educational and cultural center for Western Maryland. For more information, visit www.frostburg.edu or facebook.com/frostburgstateuniversity.