Here's a clear indicator that wrist-flossing hip-hop and gangster rap is now a thing of the past: Bobby Ray Simmons a.k.a. B.o.B.

B.o.B recalibrates hip-hop with his debut album, "The Adventures of Bobby Ray," one of hip-hop's newest chart-toppers. He rejuvenates the genre with his new release while simultaneously taking us on a tour of the creatively expressive Bobby's world.

B.o.B, 19, is an Atlanta-born rapper gracing today's airwaves with his eclectic music, which seeks to change the direction of a genre that has lost an essence that once boasted in the black experience and culture. B.o.B. is modernizing a new trend of tasteful, fun and edifying tunes, expressing the struggle of accomplishing a dream and confronting head-on the issues of creativity vs. corporate, while positively embracing the 15 minutes of fame the vacillating industry has to offer.

B.o.B invites us in to explore his socially-conscious "adventures" and a world of hip-hop like no other; with sounds of classic instruments dipped into a melting pot of glistening piano keys, guitar strings and fussy drums, it gives the album an edgy, sonic feel. The album is also full of surprises comprising guest appearances by hip-hop heavy hitters Eminem and T.I and River's Cuomo from pop-rock band Weezer's and Paramore's Hayley Williams.

"Don't let me fall," a great album opener for "The Adventures" starts off with a soft piano coupled with B.o.B's smooth singing and swift rhymes, giving the song a softer vulnerable touch with a twist of high-energy.

" 'Cause I was in the cold, tryin' to keep my toes unfroze. Now I'm in our house, now I'm in your stove, now I'm everywhere that your iPod go. Everything I see, was a dream, just a moment ago."

He attempts to express struggles of surviving in the industry and both pursuing and living his dream despite his humble beginnings. Unlike artists like Lil Wayne and 50 Cent who brag about their ascension to the top amidst their tumultuous upbringing, which they use to justify their bling-bling materialism and a sea of women as spoils of war, B.o.B takes a more mature, thematic approach on the politics of "making it out."

B.o.B's ability to vocalize his vulnerability while keeping his swag is what makes us most comfortable with the second track, "Nothin' On You" featuring Bruno Mars. B.o.B's first single and smash-hit is a slow-groove, versatile and relaxed enough to charm the ladies:

"Baby, you the whole package, plus you pay your taxes and you keep it real while them others stay plastic, you're my wonder women, call me Mr. Fantastic."

The album makes sense until we're hit with two left fielders, "Bet I" and "Magic." "Bet I" is a hot track and a surprise feature from T.I. is certainly a hit, however, the song is completely different from the others on the album. "Bet I" is a completely arrogant cut with a southern jive. "Magic" featuring Rivers Cuomo, appears to be a crossover rock track, yet not lyrically as appealing as the rest of the songs on the album.

The album ends with the hottest track on the entire record, "Airplanes Pt. 2," featuring hip-hop's twisted lyrical genius Eminem. Eminem's guest verse on this track lets us know "Airplanes Pt 2." is not in any way a recycled good.

"Let's pretend Marshall Mathers never picked up a pen/ Let's pretend things would've been no different/ Pretend he procrastinated, had no motivation, pretend he just made excuses that were so paper thin."

Eminem, who was rapping hypothetically about what could have been a failed opportunity in music, was definitely not upstaged by B.o.B. Still, B.o.B possesses all the potential in the world to rival Eminem later in the game.

B.o.B is not just a rapper, but a talented musician who will definitely leave an impressive mark on hip-hop culture. With a style all his own and diverse narrative content, he delivers both substance as well as a free spirit that are perfectly balanced. B.o.B addresses his rise to superstardom and is definitely self-applauding about the quality of his music, but he has a lot to offer as a new breed.

He fits right in with present day breed of young and fresh hip-hop stars Drake, J-Cole and Lupe Fiasco, all creating music that remove much of hip-hop's negative stigmas.