DX: A lot of your records tell stories about people that are at the rock bottom, people who are in hopeless situations. Is that because you’ve experienced similar things or…
B.o.B: Oh yeah. I’ve been through every stage of being at rock bottom. Everybody goes through that stage when you feel like shit and you’re mad at the world. “Black and Mild” is definitely a song I made when I was going through one of those phases when you just want to smoke a Black then smoke a blunt. Sometimes you feel suicidal… [During] those times you just don’t feel like dealing with all the bullshit. But I was speaking for everybody that was going through something. I went through my own little spell when I was in high school trying to fit in. I couldn’t really afford [designer] clothes. All the clothes I had, I had to work for. I worked at Subway and I used to sell candy and snacks and shit…I was always a hustler because I had to be. It wasn’t an option. I had to find a way to get some extra bread. So [when I started getting it]…there was this feeling where you feel free to do whatever you want do in life. But those songs definitely speak to people being at rock bottom. “Cloud 9” is one them of songs like let me just light up this blunt and take it easy and forget about everything. And I feel like even though that song talks about smoking and other shit it’s still a song for that release you know. At the time when I recorded them songs I was dealing with the same shit. So I feel like when people listen to those tracks they can deal with it and get over it and move on just as I did when I made it.

DX: You have a wide variety of tracks in regards to different subjects, different sounds. Have you ever been worried about how the fans would receive B.o.B., the person?
B.o.B: I really never stopped to think about it. I would say from the questions that people asked me in interviews or just the shit people say when I’m out or on stage I definitely get [that] I’m different a lot. I’ve never really thought about it. I’m just really doing me. I’m not really trying to fit inside a perception. I feel [since I’m doing me] it’s easier for people to fuck with me on a personal tip. People don’t have to feel timid about coming up to me because I got like 80 niggas with machine guns around me or some shit. [Laughs] I’m really just doing me and there’s no “Naw man, this is rap I ain’t really gon’ do that [type of] song.” I’m really just doing anything. I really enjoy making music.

DX: When I speak to different people about Atlanta Rap, they all have this perception it’s all about trapping or dancing. How do you feel about how Atlanta is being represented by its rappers?
B.o.B: There’s definitely a perception about Atlanta that a lot of artists make songs about dancing, rolling and poppin’ pills and smoking weed but at the same time, that’s just what the media focuses on. That’s what labels push. A lot of artists in Atlanta don’t go into the studio thinking let me make a song about this or this or make up a dance. It’s really the la-…I’m not going to blame the labels because at the end of the day the artists are making the songs. As artists, we do have a choice on what type of songs we’re going to make. But at the same time, I feel it’s kind of slanted and I’m kind of bringing the balance. I’m not against it. I’m glad the south came up with all the different types of music that surfaced from the south. And I feel it gives other artists an opportunity to speak their minds and show what they’re good at doing.

DX: How are you planning to represent Eastside Atlanta differently then others who’ve came before you?
B.o.B: I feel like I’m just showing a new side [of Atlanta] and creating a new style. I’m showing people that they have the opportunity to do other things besides setting out to be a rapper. Because I set out to be a rapper but I’m becoming more then just a rapper. You know my cousin told me, “You’ve become a model on billboards and shit.” I can do a lot of shit outside rap. I play the guitar. I sing, produce and engineer. But there’s a lot more to it then just rapping.

DX: Tell me about your upcoming album.
B.o.B: The album is titled The Adventures of B.o.B. It’s set to come out this year. Everything’s feeling right about 2008. Right now I’m getting everything right and I’m planning on going diamond.

DX: Diamond?
B.o.B: Yup.

DX: Are there any features on the album?
B.o.B: Right now I got the Amy Winehouse track called “Grip Your Body.” Then I got a song with Boosie and DG Yola called “Fuck You.” I’m real excited about this year.

DX: Last, I’ve heard about your crew’s side hustle in the streets. Tell me about the Ham Squad and its members.
B.o.B: Ham Squad is me, Playboy Tre, DJ Swatts, DJ Smooth, Moss B, B-Rich and TJ’s DJs. The Ham Squad is always in the smoking section. Wherever there’s a restaurant that says no smoking, we’re not there because we’re always smoking. And what we smoke is hams. And what are hams? They’re hamstrings and if you see a lady with two big ol’ hams on her back you’ll know she’s been smoked by the Ham Squad…

DX: [Laughs]
B.o.B: [Then she’s] gotten her hamstrings smoked and stretched.