B.O.B. - Bombs Over Baghdad

About this song

B.O.B. was the lead single from OutKast's fourth album, Stankonia, and built on the space funk of ATLiens and the conscious style of Aquemini. André said in a 2019 interview with Rick Rubin that the music of Rage Against the Machine, who later remixed the song, inspired him to make it. The song peaked at #69 on the Billboard US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and was certified platinum, and it earned a place on several best-of lists, including Rolling Stone's ranking of the 50th greatest hip-hop song and Pitchfork's pick as the greatest song of the 2000s.

What it's about

Despite its title, which is an acronym for Bombs Over Baghdad, the song is more a commentary on conditions in the ghetto, with a few political references. After the September 11th attacks, it became an anthem during the Iraq War.

Fun facts

• Samples “Get On the Good Foot by James Brown”.
• Sampled in 14 other songs, like “The Love Below by Daunted”.
• Covered once, including “B.O.B (Bombs Over Baghdad) [triple j Like A Version] by Tasman Keith”.
• Written by André 3000, Big Boi, Mr. DJ and Neal Pogue.
• Produced by Earthtone III.