B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"B.O.B." (an acronym for Bombs Over Baghdad) is a 2000 single by OutKast for the LaFace/Arista Records label. The first single from their album Stankonia, "B.O.B." is high-tempo and jungle-influenced, with a BPM rate of 155. The song is also noted for its use of a choir (the Morris Brown College Gospel Choir) in the chorus.

Despite popular belief, the song is not about the 2003 invasion of Iraq (an impossibility given that the song was released three whole years before the war started). The song actually references the 1998 bombing of Baghdad by the United States under the Clinton Administration, which were interpreted to be more show than substantive.

The frantic nature and the genre-bending "shock" of the song lead many radio outlets in the United States to limit its airplay.[1] Unlike the follow-up single "Ms. Jackson," which peaked at #1, "B.O.B." only reached #69 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. [2]

The inspiration for the song came when André 3000 was in a London hotel room and overheard a news report about "bombs over Baghdad."[3]

The song has been reportedly been used as a rally song for the 2003 invasion. André 3000 did not seem pleased that the song was being used as a war rally, however noted that it might be a "good thing" if it improves soldier morale. [4] Big Boi, meanwhile, has voiced his opposition to the 2003 invasion but noted he cannot control how the public interprets his work. [5]

Despite its mixed reviews among critics and fans, it was named the #2 song in the "500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born" list in 2005 by Blender Magazine, second only to "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson.

This song was featured in the video game Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX for the Playstation and Dreamcast.

Dave Chappelle's "Black Bush" referenced the song while defending the invasion of Iraq on Chappelle's Show by saying, "Stankonia has said they're willing to drop bombs over Baghdad."