Avg Rating: 
3.8 ( 23 total votes )
B.o.B - So Hard to Breathe
Artist: B.o.B
Producer: Alex Da Kid
Album: Strange Clouds
Label: Rebel Rock/Grand Hustle/Atlantic
Fame is complicated—so complicated that, as we saw on B.o.B‘s last feature, it has the power to split you into multiple, warring personalities. Coming on the heels of schizoid hit Where Are You, new video single So Hard to Breathe finds the ATL hitmaker once again confronting the psychologically draining realities of success in the rap game. Over beatsmith Alex Da Kid‘s eclectic yet radio-ready blend of pop, light rock and hip-hop sounds, the artist offers a metaphorical take on the familiar theme, comparing himself to a giant, sea-dwelling mammal struggling to stay afloat as he weathers the stings of bloodsucking haters: “[T]he wealth attracts you haters like mosquitoes to a whale / And the water’s getting deeper so I must set out to sail.” Ultimately, though, he admits that it’s the inexorable march of time that has him buggin’; as he wistfully remarks on the back, “It’s a long way from beating pots and pans.” Nothing about B.o.B’s journey thus far has been easy but, on the bright side, the man does appear to have another hit on his hands—or have I got it twisted? Those who agree with my assessment will be able to find this Bei Maejor-penned banger and much more on Strange Clouds, set to hit record stores and online retailers May 1.
This song first appeared on the
R&B / Pop Chart
on April 23, 2012
Listen to More: B.o.B , Music Videos, R&B/Pop, Hitmaker Written by richard
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Member Reviews and Ratings
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 1622 |
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Bei Maejor has been lighting it up, this is no exception. B.o.B. has another enjoyable listen with this one and is definitely keeping us excited for Strange Clouds. Expectations aren't through the roof with this album, but I expect it to sound a lot like this track.
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| Posted on Apr 17, 2012 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 11639 |
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Its clear that the mainstream side of B.o.B's music will be one crossover hit after another, not the street-ready rappity rap that he can actually pull off with ease. He has seen so much success in this lane to date, however, it would be dumb not to continue to travel in that artistic direction.
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| Posted on Apr 17, 2012 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 7966 |
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This is pretty cool music by B.o.B. Nice chorus and real-talk on the lyrics.
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| Posted on Apr 17, 2012 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 172 |
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a little to pop for me, great lyrics though
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| Posted on Apr 17, 2012 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 24 |
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B.o.B's been really consistent on all his releases... it's amazing how dope his music can be even if he is releasing a lot of crossover records to feed the mainstream side.
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| Posted on Apr 17, 2012 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 53 |
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Everything I've heard from Strange Clouds I've loved. Alex da Kid never fails to produce hits and I expect this and the Taylor Swift collab to dominate the hip-hop/pop charts this year. B.o.B 's mainstream formula is working and has been and I don't see why he should stop taking that route.
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| Posted on Apr 17, 2012 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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Major dope track. Kinda turned off by the folky sound but BOB did his thing.
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| Posted on Apr 17, 2012 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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Not impressed. I heard rap with this same content too many times
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| Posted on Apr 18, 2012 |
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DJ Booth Crew  Total Ratings: 1633 |
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This is pretty cool, B.O.B is one of the few artists that has a pop sound that I still enjoy.
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| Posted on Apr 18, 2012 |
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| Posted on Apr 18, 2012 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 2904 |
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Man this song is really, really good but the video didn't fit in at all witht he song's energy imo. Video a dud.
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| Posted on Apr 18, 2012 |
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| Posted on Apr 18, 2012 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 238 |
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This is dope, I love that hip-hop, pop, rock blend he brings to this record and others. The crossover appeal is here, and it doesn't alienate the true hip hoppers. It's fun to see how his music reaches out to so many bases.
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| Posted on Apr 18, 2012 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1305 |
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Definitely one of the best off of "Strange Clouds".
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| Posted on Apr 18, 2012 |
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| Posted on Apr 19, 2012 |
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| Posted on Apr 19, 2012 |
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Tastemaker  Total Ratings: 1227 |
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It's sort of reminds me of cuts from the May 25th mixtape, not amazing.
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| Posted on Apr 19, 2012 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 1724 |
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A deep but catchy song from Bobby Ray, what else is new? Can't wait for May 1st
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| Posted on Apr 22, 2012 |
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| Posted on Apr 25, 2012 |
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DJ Booth Member  Total Ratings: 393 |
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Pure Fire
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| Posted on Apr 25, 2012 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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People need to get their facts straight before they post the wrong info all over the Internet. This song was NOT produced by Alex da Kid OR Bei Maejor! I own the album and it clearly states in the notes it was produced and written by B.o.B himself. Co-writers include Sean Garrett, DeLarry Sanders, Takehiko Kato and Kyle King. Nowhere does it mention Bei or Alex, I don't get how this rumor started.
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| Posted on May 04, 2012 |
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DJ Booth Member |
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B.O.B comes with lyrics,Flow,& dope lines.
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| Posted on May 08, 2012 |
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| Posted on May 10, 2012 |
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