Underground Luxury
Underground Luxury is the third studio album by American rapper B.o.B. The album was released on December 17, 2013, by Grand Hustle Records, Rebel Rock Entertainment and Atlantic Records. The album was supported by four singles "We Still in This Bitch", "HeadBand", "Ready" and "John Doe". The album features guest appearances from Future, 2 Chainz, T.I., Juicy J, Priscilla Renea, Ester Dean and Chris Brown among others.
Underground Luxury
December 17, 2013
2012–2013
57:08
- Rebel Rock
- Grand Hustle
- Atlantic
- B.o.B (also exec.)
- Arthur McArthur
- Big Zar
- DJ Mustard
- DJ Toomp
- Finatik N Zac
- FKi
- Geoffro Cause
- Jim Jonsin
- Detail
- Marz
- Mike Will Made It
- Rock City
- soFLY and Nius
Underground Luxury received mixed reviews from music critics, that praised some of its production, but criticized its lyricism and the rapper's decision to move from the alternative hip hop sound of his previous efforts, to a club-dirty south one.[2] The album debuted at number 22 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 35,000 copies in its first week of release. The album was certified gold by the RIAA August 5, 2016.
Release and promotion[edit]
On November 15, 2012, B.o.B released his ninth mixtape, titled Fuck 'Em We Ball, in promotion for the album.[15] The mixtape features guest appearances from T.I., Juicy J, Mac Miller, Playboy Tre, Snoop Lion, Spodee and Iggy Azalea, with much of the production coming from B.o.B himself.[15] The mixtape also spawned the single "We Still in This Bitch", which was released on January 8, 2013, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[16] In March 2013, while on set for T.I.’s “Memories Back Then” video-shoot, B.o.B shared with MTV that he’d like his fans to help choose a title for his third album."[12]
On April 22, 2013 it was announced B.o.B would go on tour with fellow American rappers Wiz Khalifa, A$AP Rocky, Trinidad James, Joey Bada$, Pro Era and Smoke DZA, for the Under the Influence concert tour.[17] The tour would then begin on July 17, 2013.[18] On July 11, 2013, B.o.B released a teaser video, in which he is seen in the studio recording a song titled "That How You Feel."[19] On August 19, 2013, B.o.B released a song titled "Missing".[20] On October 17, 2013, during an interview on BET's 106 & Park, B.o.B announced that the album would be released on December 17, 2013.[21]
On October 30, 2013, B.o.B posted a video on YouTube titled "The Road to Underground Luxury". In the video, B.o.B talks about his life leading up to that point.[22] On November 1, 2013, the album cover was unveiled.[23] On November 4, 2013, the track listing was released, revealing guest appearances on the album from Future, Chris Brown, Mike Fresh, Playboy Tre, Priscilla Renea, Ester Dean, T.I. and Juicy J.[24] On November 26, 2013, B.o.B teamed up with DJ Drama, to release a sampler, an official preview of the album.[25][26] On December 17, 2013, B.o.B released the music video for "Paper Route", the third track from the album.[27]
Singles[edit]
On January 8, 2013, the album's first single "We Still in This Bitch", featuring T.I. and Juicy J, was released.[16] The single managed to reach number 64 on the Billboard Hot 100. On May 21, 2013, the album's second single "HeadBand", which features 2 Chainz, was released.[28] On June 30, 2013, the music video for "HeadBand", premiered on MTV Jams.[29] The song has since sold 1,000,000 copies and peaked at number 53 on the Billboard Hot 100.[30] On September 10, 2013, B.o.B released "Ready", his collaboration with fellow East Atlanta-native Future, as the album's third single.[31] On October 15, 2013, the music video for "Ready", premiered on 106 & Park.[32]
On December 3, 2013, the album's fourth single "John Doe" featuring Priscilla Renea was released.[33] "John Doe" was serviced to rhythmic contemporary radio in the United States on January 7, 2014.[34] On January 16, 2014, the music video was released for "John Doe".[35] The song has since peaked at number 69 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.[36]
Commercial performance[edit]
The album debuted at number 22 on the Billboard 200 chart, with first-week sales of 35,000 copies in the United States.[45] This was a steep decline in sales from his first two albums which respectively sold 84,000 and 74,000 in their first week.[46][47] In its second week the album dropped to number 30, selling 19,000 more copies in the United States.[48] In its third week the album sold 9,000 more copies.[49] In its fourth week the album sold 6,600 more copies in the United States.[50] As of January 22, 2014 the album has sold 75,000 copies in the United States.[51]