B-Hamp may have struck a nerve in the South with his hit, “Do the Ricky Bobby,” but the Dallas rapper is determined to show different sides of his music persona with his forthcoming album, B-Dash.
According to B-Hamp, a conscious effort was made to deliver a well-rounded project that will resonate with fans.
“The whole album is different. You’re not gonna get just the dance songs. You’re getting different sounds,” the rapper told AllHipHop.com. “Everybody can listen to it because I listen to all types of music. So I gave everybody music that I listen to. I thought about what other people listen to and what other people would want to hear and what all you want to do. So I gave them everything that they would want to listen to.”
The pending release of B-Dash comes as B-Hamp enjoys the success of, “Do the Ricky Bobby,” the album’s lead single.
The song, which was inspired by the Will Ferrell film Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, became a regional hit that resulted in a You Tube video featuring instructions on how to do the dance that accompanies the tune.
The well-known track also generated a buzz for B-Hamp as well as newfound fame. A situation the22-year-old rapper is still adjusting to.
“It’s weird… The way people react to me now is crazy because I see the same people that I see now and they all ‘Aw Hamp. Blah, blah, blah. What’s up man? What’s up? What’s up?’ And these are the same people that used to walk by me and was like ‘Oh you know, that’s B-Hamp. Oh yeah, I know him but yeah whatever.’ But now everybody is all friendly,” B-Hamp shared. “I never knew that people could act how they act over you because I’m still the same person. To me, I haven’t changed. I still act the same way. I’m still goofy. I still like to have fun. I’m still trying to go out. But it’s like people are treating me like I’m a superstar and it just feels weird. I don’t know. I guess all the things that’s happening hasn’t hit me yet.”
The popularity of “Do the Ricky Bobby” and it’s dance mirrors the good fortune of teen rap sensation Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em, who came on the scene in a similar fashion with his hit debut single “Crank That (Soulja Boy).”
Despite the comparison, B-Hamp is not annoyed at being put in the same category of someone who has made a name for himself in a major way.
“The reason why it doesn’t bother me is because I don’t care what people have to say about Soulja Boy. Soulja Boy is a millionaire,” the rapper said. “He’s not even 20 yet. So why wouldn’t I want to be a millionaire? Why wouldn’t I know that I’m good for life?
“I already knew that as soon as I did the dance track, that the first thing I’m labeled as is ‘Oh, he’s a dance rapper,’” continued B-Hamp. “Now I really don’t care what people think because from reading a lot of the blogs and stuff like that, people are gonna say stuff and make up stuff that they want to make the people hear.”
In addition to party anthems, B-Hamp addresses his critics (“Save the World”), dating someone who is only interested in his fame (“Fame and Fortune) and his love of Levis jeans (“Levis”).
Guests on the album include Tum Tum, Fat Pimp, Southside and 112 member Daron Jones while production will be handled by T.A., Woodknocks, Youngstarr Productions and Jones, who is featured on the song “Put You On.”
While fans await the release of B-Dash, B-Hamp admits to looking ahead to the album’s follow-up.
“We’re already working on the second album because I feel you should live in the studio when you’re in this business,” the rapper said, adding that he is also working on a mixtape and setting the stage for upcoming tours and appearances on the small screen.
B-Hamp’s B-Dash is slated to hit stores on Tuesday (May 19).
