He Got Soul: Bobby V

The R&B singer will perform at the 2013 Soul Train Awards.

First Big Break  - Bobby V – formerly known as Bobby Valentino – entered the music scene in 1996 as a member of R&B youth group Mista. Though the quartet produced a chart-topping single – "Blackberry Molasses" – the group disbanded before their second album could be released.

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First Big Break  - Bobby V – formerly known as Bobby Valentino – entered the music scene in 1996 as a member of R&B youth group Mista. Though the quartet produced a chart-topping single – "Blackberry Molasses" – the group disbanded before their second album could be released.

An American Idol  - Not to be deterred, Bobby V continued to record whilst enrolled at Clark Atlanta University. In 2002, he auditioned for season one of American Idol, but unfortunately did not make the cut.

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An American Idol  - Not to be deterred, Bobby V continued to record whilst enrolled at Clark Atlanta University. In 2002, he auditioned for season one of American Idol, but unfortunately did not make the cut.

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Never Give Up - With three albums worth of demo material, Bobby V continued to pursue his dreams. Eventually, one of his records reached the offices of Bad Boy Entertainment. CEO Puff Daddy forwarded the music to rapper Ludacris’ Disturbing the Peace label and “the rest was history” as Bobby V says. 

Photo By Michael Buckner/Getty Images for HollyRod Foundation

The Big Debut - His self-titled debut – Bobby Valetino – released in the spring of 2005 and was certified gold. His first single “Slow Down,” was an instant hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts and earned Bobby a Soul Train Awards nomination for Best R&B/Soul Single. Later that year, he joined the Scream Tour IV line-up, which also featured Bow Wow, Omarion, Pretty Ricky and more. 

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The Big Debut - His self-titled debut – Bobby Valetino – released in the spring of 2005 and was certified gold. His first single “Slow Down,” was an instant hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts and earned Bobby a Soul Train Awards nomination for Best R&B/Soul Single. Later that year, he joined the Scream Tour IV line-up, which also featured Bow Wow, Omarion, Pretty Ricky and more. 

Sophomore Success - Bobby V’s sophomore effort Special Occassion, featuring “Turn The Page” and the Timbaland-produced single “Anonymous” received positive reviews from audiences and critics. The album, which featured three-fourths writing credit from Valentino, peaked at No.1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. 

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Sophomore Success - Bobby V’s sophomore effort Special Occassion, featuring “Turn The Page” and the Timbaland-produced single “Anonymous” received positive reviews from audiences and critics. The album, which featured three-fourths writing credit from Valentino, peaked at No.1 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. 

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Making Moves  - After parting ways with Distrubing tha Peace, Bobby V released his third LP The Re-Birth – produced and distributed by his new deal with EMI and his imprint Blu Kolla Dreams. Of the album, Bobby V stated:“I have been blessed to be in the music industry for over 10 years…  my past endeavors have been great learning experiences. Now I have the opportunity… the knowledge and experience to take my career to the next level.”

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Making Moves  - After parting ways with Distrubing tha Peace, Bobby V released his third LP The Re-Birth – produced and distributed by his new deal with EMI and his imprint Blu Kolla Dreams. Of the album, Bobby V stated:“I have been blessed to be in the music industry for over 10 years…  my past endeavors have been great learning experiences. Now I have the opportunity… the knowledge and experience to take my career to the next level.”

Chart Topper - Bobby V’s 2011 release, Fly On The Wall, marked the R&B crooner’s fourth studio release. The project featured production from popular Atlanta DJ Jazze Phae, G-Unit and Twista and earned Bobby V another top ten hit on the Billboard 200 charts. 

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Chart Topper - Bobby V’s 2011 release, Fly On The Wall, marked the R&B crooner’s fourth studio release. The project featured production from popular Atlanta DJ Jazze Phae, G-Unit and Twista and earned Bobby V another top ten hit on the Billboard 200 charts. 

New Horizons  - Earlier this year, the successful crooner announced his upcoming EP Peach Moon, slated to be digitally released before the end of 2013. Of the new material, Bobby V says the album “channels the likes of Maxwell and Bilal.”

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New Horizons  - Earlier this year, the successful crooner announced his upcoming EP Peach Moon, slated to be digitally released before the end of 2013. Of the new material, Bobby V says the album “channels the likes of Maxwell and Bilal.”