Atlantic Records

B.o.B has had a pretty crazy 2010. His debut album B.o.B. Presents: The Adventures Of Bobby Ray debuted at number one on the Billboard Top 200 and spawned five singles including "Nothin’ On You" and "Airplanes, Part II." B.o.B. is topping off an amazing year with a performance at the Grammys and five nominations including Record Of The Year, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, Best Rap Song, Best Pop Collaboration and Best Rap Album. We caught up with B.o.B. to get his reaction to the nominations and hear how he’s handling all this acclaim.

How does it feel to be nominated for five Grammys?
It's insane. I think that when you look at the history of artists and see who's been nominated in the past, it's really amazing; it's definitely a surreal feeling.

Did you watch the Grammys growing up?
Yeah, definitely. I remember when Lauryn Hill won five Grammys [in 1989] and seeing how my career is at the same point as hers even though I still feel like an up-and-coming aspiring artist is crazy.

How does it feel to be nominated in a category like Record Of The Year?
I think just the nomination and the association is the thing that hits me. The category doesn't matter as long at the end of the day you bring home a Grammy. [Laughs.]

A lot of people take decades to get to this point in their career. Does it feel like things have happened quickly for you?
Definitely. You spend your whole life making your first album so although I always feel like as an artist you're going to make better and better music, there's just something about the first album. It's your introduction and for it to start the way that it did has felt like a rollercoaster ride.

You're nominated for your collaborations with Bruno Mars, Eminem and Hayley Williams. What do you think is the secret to a good collaboration?
I think it's chemistry. A lot of people want to work with an artist just because of the name but I think the chemistry is the most important thing because that shows on the record. I know with Hayley we had an awesome chemistry in the studio and that's why the song came out the way it came out.

Are there any other artists you're rooting for this year?
All the artists and bands I saw at the nomination party in L.A. I admire. I really like that Cee Lo album The Lady Killer and Mumford And Sons’ [Sigh No More], too. From hip-hop to country to just everything; I really listen to everybody in the lineup as a music listener so it's crazy to be nominated alongside these people. I don't really think of myself as an artist when I'm listening to music as a fan so it's hard to look at it from the outside sometimes.

What’s your approach to acceptance speeches?
You kind of have to know what you want to say and just say it. It may come out differently each time, but as long as you know what you want to say it'll be fine.