Man I LOVE this song. It’s just like, a new-age LL Cool J pop/hip-hop/crossover smash. This joint is poignant, respectful and really decent. The video reflects the same qualities, and B.o.B. AKA Bobby Ray takes his rhymes and brings an honesty to the track that Bruno Mars’ voice just makes even that much more sincere. It’s an organic jam that just really sticks with you after you hear it a time or two.

The video, directed by Ethan Lader, bucks the trend of a hip-hop video even and is more of a stylized pop feel. The torn-paper theme, along with the interchanging faces is a really dope idea. We aren’t super green-screened to death either.

I basically really love this song, and the video keeps that trend going. Excellent. “Thumbs up, Ebert and Roper” like Drake say. As a matter of fact, I’m feeling B.o.B. way more than Drake, but that’s just me.

What ya’ll think?

Dude tells stories, like them old 90’s hip-hop songs and I love it. B.o.B. has me excited about another hip-hop project! “Not Love” was unleashed to the Net recently and it’s a story about Chuck and Kenny and how lives often intersect, even on different sides of the track. It’s a short <3 minute clip so check it out. And if you haven’t gotten B.o.B.’s latest mixtape you should!

The Adventures of Bobby Ray is due out April 27th, 2010. I’m going to be checking for that!