Bobby Ray Simmons (B.o.B) is a North American recording artist, song writer, producer and musician. He was born on November 15, 1988 in Atlanta Georgia. Simmons has bet nominated multiple times for the BET Hip-Hop Awards, People Choice Awards and MTV's Video Music Award. At present he has only won the Teen Choice Awards for his song "Airplanes", featuring Hayley Williams of Paramore, and the Soul Train Music Award for his collaboration of the hit single "Nonthin' on You" featuring Bruno Mars. I choose write about B.o.B. because I feel his earlier work had a sound and energy that engaged his listeners and pulled them into his music. He told stories and intertwined is path to success into the fabric of his rhymes.
In B.o.B.'s song "Magic" featuring Rivers Cuomo, there are several symbols in the supernatural arena. The first major symbol appears in lines 13-14 when Simmons dictates "That the tricks that I'll attempt will blow your mind". The next prominent symbol makes its appearance in line 32 when he states that there are no "Ghost or Poltergeist". The last major symbol comes in at the end of the song in line when Simmons invites his listner to " Take a journey into my mind".
The meaning of the first symbol could be interpreted in many different ways. First, e could assume his is a magician, and a good one at that by the emphasis he puts on the skill in which he performs. With the second symbol, Simmons insinuates that he is the real deal. "No ghost or poltergeist" could stand in for his meaning that he has nothing to hide from his audience and what you see is actually what it is. For the last symbol when he invites his audience into his mind, it shows his willingness to let others see his thoughts. He is open and he fells he has nothing to hide once more.
I believe that B.o.B is using this song as a way to let his listeners know that he doesn't deceive or use fraud. He invites us to see what fuels his creative processes, and in turn like those in a magic show, he showcases his skills and makes us believe what he is saying without tricking us. I believe this the main reason why he calls this song "Magic" as opposed to Hocus Pocus or the Great Alakazam.
References
http://www.aceshowbiz.com/celebrity/b_o_b/biography.html
http://www.aceshowbiz.com/celebrity/b_o_b/awards.html
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