| Bobby Valentino | |
|---|---|
 Performing at Southeast Missouri State University during the Xi Gamma chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha's Miss Black And Gold Pageant in 2006.
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Bobby Wilson |
| Also known as | Bobby V |
| Born | February 27 1980 |
| Origin |  Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| Genre(s) | R&B |
| Years active | 2004-present |
| Label(s) | Def Jam/DTP (2005-present) |
| Associated acts |
Ludacris, Tim & Bob, Playaz Circle |
| Website | Bobby Valentino's official website |
Bobby Wilson (born on February 27, 1980), better known by his stage name Bobby Valentino, is an American R&B singer. He is known as Bobby V or Bobby V-Tino in the United Kingdom due to a lawsuit[1], there being a British musician who had been recording continuously under the same name[2] since 1975.
Contents |
Music Beginnings
Born in Jackson, Bobby moved to Atlanta, Georgia where he attended North Atlanta High School. He returned there to appear in the debut episode of Once Upon A Prom aired on MTV May 19, 2007. He first entered the music scene in 1996 with the now-defunct youth quartet Mista. Some years after Mista disbanded, he enrolled in Clark Atlanta University where he majored in Mass Communications, graduating in 2003[3] with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. Discovered while singing on the bus, Bobby Valentino first made his mark as the lead singer in the hit teen group, Mista. As a new found member of the Organized Noize Family, Bobby learned firsthand how great music was made from icons such as Outkast, TLC, and Goodie Mob. In 1996 the group released their self-titled debut album and produced chart topping single, "Blackberry Molasses," which still remains a classic to this day. A second unreleased album was recorded with hit makers, Tim & Bob and Delite, but creative differences split the group. Shortly thereafter, Valentino decided to return to his studies and enrolled as a communications major at Clark Atlanta University. While in school, Valentino continued to record in his free time in hopes of one day returning to the stage.[4] He lived with his cousin Kayon Roberts in Detroit Michigan. After earning his degree in 2003, Valentino returned to the studio full time. Bobby Valentino attempted to jump start his career by auditioning for the first season of the hit reality show American Idol, but was rejected by judges, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson. However, armed with three albums of demos and by chance, a demo wound up in the hands of multi-platinum recording artist Ludacris. Immediately impressed by his talents, Ludacris and his business partner, Chaka Zulu (president of DTP) signed Valentino as the first R&B artist on Disturbing Tha Peace Records. Soon after, Valentino was re-introduced to the world as a solo artist and featured on the hit single, "Pimpin All Over The World" off of Ludacris' multi-platinum selling album "The Red Light District" in 2004.[5]
Debut Album
He is currently signed with Island Def Jam music imprint and is a member of Ludacris' Disturbing tha Peace label. His first single, 2005's "Slow Down", from his self-titled debut album became a top 10 hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, receiving a huge amount of radio and TV airplay. In 2005, he also joined other R&B/hip-hop acts including Bow Wow and Omarion on the Scream 4 Tour. Valentino released a second single from his debut album, the remixed "Tell Me" featuring Lil' Wayne, and a third single "My Angel".
Special Occasion
The first single of his new album Special Occasion (released May 8, 2007) is titled "Turn the Page". The second single, "Anonymous" (featuring Timbaland), has been released and the video premiered on April 9 on BET.
Other work
He will make his acting debut as Barry in the play turned film, Mama, I Want to Sing! which will hit theater's in early 2008.
Discography
Albums
- 2005: Bobby Valentino
- 2007: Special Occasion
- 2008: Underground Love
Solo Singles
- 2005: "Slow Down"
- 2005: "Tell Me" (featuring Lil Wayne)
- 2005: "My Angel"
- 2007: "Turn the Page"
- 2007: "Anonymous" (featuring Timbaland)
- 2007: "Rearview (Ridin')" (featuring Ludacris)
Featured Singles
- 2005: "Pimpin' All Over the World" (Ludacris featuring Bobby Valentino)
- 2007: "Coast to Coast" (Young Chris featuring Bobby Valentino)
- 2007: "Accorde-moi" (Leslie featuring Bobby Valentino)
- 2007: "Live It Up" (Roscoe Umali featuring Bobby Valentino)
Awards/Nominations
- Image Awards
- 2006, Outstanding New Artist (Nominated)
- Soul Train Awards
- 2006, Best R&B/Soul Male Single: "Slow Down" (Nominated)
- 2006, Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist: "Slow Down" (Nominated)
- Vibe Awards
- 2005, Reelest Video: "Pimpin' All Over the World" (Nominated)
Filmography
- Mama, I Want to Sing! as Barry
- Where the Wild Things Are (Rumored)
References
- ^ SOHH Soulful: Bobby Valentino Saves New LP For "Special Occasion" Accessed December 3, 2007
- ^ Matters Musical - Bobby Valentino Accessed December 3, 2007
- ^ No Slowin' Down: Bobby Valentino Accessed November 25, 2007
- ^ Bobby Valentino, Def Jam Recordings, 2006, http://www.defjam.com/site/artist_bio.php?artist_id=580, accessed June 25, 2007
- ^ Bobby Valentino, Def Jam Recordings, 2006, http://www.defjam.com/site/artist_bio.php?artist_id=580, accessed June 25, 2007
