Grand Hustle rapper B.o.B. has shared his reaction to receiving five MTV Video Music Awards nominations this week and described the recognition as a sign of his growth.
The rapper also reflected on pop star Lady Gaga leading the ceremony with 13 nods.
“My own personal goals have been coming to pass lately, compared to where I was,” says B.o.B. “My perspective is just enjoying it and watching it unfold.” Although the 2010 VMAs, which will air live from Los Angeles’ Nokia Theater on Sept. 12, have not announced any scheduled performers yet, B.o.B said that he would be game to take the stage. “I definitely would,” he says. “Why not? That’s like, ‘Let’s party!'” B.o.B. also said that he was “not surprised” to hear of Lady Gaga’s record 13 VMA nominations because of how innovative her music videos have become. “She’s already made her mark in history,” he says. (Billboard)
Following yesterday’s nominees announcement, Eminem released a playful statement sharing his reaction.
“Apparently MTV doesn’t care that I have two massive stadium shows on the other side of the country the day after the VMAs. F me, right?!?!,” says the rapper, who’s up for Best Male and Best Hip Hop Videos. “I mean, I’ll be there but don’t expect me to be nice about it.” (PEOPLE)
B.o.B. and newcomers like Drake and Nicki Minaj will also be competing for awards.
Katy Perry‘s ode to her home state “California Gurls,” featuring Snoop Dogg, is up for Best Female Video, along with Ke$ha‘s “Tik Tok”; “Video Phone” with Gaga and Beyoncé; Taylor Swift‘s “Fifteen” and Gaga’s “Bad Romance.” In Best Male Video, Usher‘s epic “OMG” lands a nod, as well as Jason Derulo‘s “In My Head,” Drake’s “Find Your Love,” Em’s “Not Afraid” and B.o.B’s “Airplanes.” Many of the pop world’s recent favorites will face off in the Best New Artist category. Justin Bieber (“Baby”), Ke$ha (“Tik Tok”), Jason Derulo (“In My Head”), Nicki Minaj (for her Sean Garrett collabo “Massive Attack”) and indie supergroup Broken Bells (“The Ghost Inside”) will see who can dominate as this year’s reigning newbie. (MTV)
B.o.B.’s Adventures of Bobby Ray debuted on the sales chart earlier this year.
As expected, fans of the XXL Freshman alum picked up 84,200 copies of his new disc over the last week, according to the Nielsen SoundScan. The rapper/multi-instrumentalist currently has both the No. 1 album and No. 1 song (“Nothin’ On You”) in the country. His second single, “Airplanes,” is currently working its way up the charts–landing at the No. 9 spot just last week. (XXL Mag)
The 2010 MTV Video Music Awards will air live from the Nokia Theater in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, September 12, at 9 p.m.
Check out some past B.o.B. footage down below: