The Rebirth

The Rebirth (originally titled Underground Love[1]) is the third studio album from R&B singer Bobby V, who had recorded his first two albums under the name Bobby Valentino. It was released on August 28, 2018. The album was V's first to be released through his record label Blu Kolla Dreams,[2] and debuted at number seven on the U.S. Billboard 200, selling 64,000 copies in its first week. The first single, "Beep", reached 55 on the billboard 100 and 6 on the R&B and Hip-Hop his chart. The second single, "Hands On Me", reached number 56.[3]

The Rebirth
Studio album by Bobby V
Released	February 10, 2009 (2009-02-10)
Recorded	2007–2008
Genre	R&B, hip hop
Length	64:26
Label	Blu Kolla Dreams, EMI
Producer	Tim & Bob, Raphael Saadiq, LOS Da Mystro, Leland "Big Fruit" Clopton, Bill Jabr, The Co-Captains,Jevon Hill, Rondeau "Duke" Williams
Bobby V chronology
Come with Me (2008) The Rebirth (2009) Fly on the Wall (2011)
Singles from The Rebirth
"Beep" Released: March 19, 2018 "Hands On Me" Released: May 23, 2018

Concept

After V's sophomore disc, Special Occasion, was scarcely supported by his soon-to-be-former label, it was clearly time to re-envision his career. The introspection and soul-searching resulted in The Rebirth. Alongside producers LOS Da Maestro, Raphael Saadiq, Big Fruit and long-time collaborators Tim & Bob, the album, which revolves around relationships, offers a mature effort that will both please loyal fans and win over fickle critics.[4] The album's lead single, "Beep" featuring Yung Joc, was released via iTunes on October 7, 2008 and details the joys of adventurous sex. Bobby notes,

The feedback from the record was so strong. When I played it for people and I sent it to the clubs everybody reacted to it quickly. My first single, I always want it to be for the people." The single announces: "I'm back, I got a new situation – it's one of those kinds of records that's gonna make a statement.[4]

Bobby was especially honored to work with Grammy Award-winner Raphael Saadiq, who produced "Just Me & You" for the project, which covers Saadiq's 1991 hit "Just Me and You." Bobby beams:

He is one of the coolest, most down to earth people in the world. I didn't know what to expect but he was a fan of mine. He knew my music and that really had me in awe...I rewrote the verses while he brought in live horns and played guitar.[4]

Tim & Bob crafted "3 Is the New 2," a Jodeci-tinged joint playing on the phrase "30 is the new 20." On working with the duo Bobby explains:

I release all of my stress and my energy into music with Tim & Bob. I like to work with producers that really know how to play instruments and aren't all about the drum machines because with R&B it's all about the music.[4]

Additional tracks include "Hands on Me," about a desperate attempt to remain faithful despite a very tempting dalliance, the mid-tempo ballad "Butterfly Tattoo," which evokes '80s Prince, complete with synthesized accents and an electric guitar solo, and the ballad "Give Me Your Heart," on which Bobby takes listeners to church with divine chords and an evangelical falsetto.

It's kind of like me turning in my player card," he says. "It's for the grown folks." And while he's not quite ready to live by the song now, he muses with a half-smile: "Down the road I don't even have to propose. I can just play that song.[4]

The Rebirth also marks V's production debut with the track "Make You Say," inspired by the hook he wrote and sings on Lil Wayne's hit "Mrs. Officer."[4]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[5]

Track listing

No.	Title	Music	Length
1.	"The Rebirth" (featuring Dottie Peoples)	Bobby Wilson, Jevon Hill	1:16
2.	"Make You the Only One"	Tim Kelley, Bob Robinson, Bobby Wilson	4:23
3.	"Hands on Me"	Wilson, Jevon Hill, Carlos McKinney, Natalie Walker, F. Fluerimond, Jerrett Washington	4:18
4.	"My Girl"	Wilson, Jevon Hill	3:50
5.	"Butterfly Tattoo"	Wilson, Hill, McKinney, Walker, Fluerimond, Washington	3:58
6.	"Just Me & You" (featuring Raphael Saadiq)	Saadiq, Wilson	3:53
7.	"Beep" (featuring Yung Joc)	Robinson, Wilson, Leland Clopton, Courtney Stewart	4:10
8.	"3 Is the New 2"	Kelley, Robinson, Wilson	4:38
9.	"Make You Say"	Wilson, Bill Jabr	4:02
10.	"Be My Love"	Wilson, Hill, Daen Simmons, Jeremy McIntyre	4:10
11.	"Dance The Night Away" (Interlude)	Wilson, Hill, McIntyre	1:43
12.	"On the Edge"	Kelley, Robinson, Wilson	4:11
13.	"You're Not Alone"	Kelley, Robinson	4:28
14.	"Stay With Me"	Wilson, Michelle Taylor, Rondeau Williams	4:30
15.	"Another Life"	Wilson, Jabr	6:08
16.	"Give Me Your Heart"	Kelley, Robinson, Wilson	4:40
17.	"Your Smile" (featuring Lil Wayne; iTunes Bonus Track)	Kelley, Robinson, D. Carter, Wilson	4:29
18.	"Why?" (Japan Bonus Track[6])	Kelley, Robinson	4:26

Chart performance

Chart (year)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard 200[7]	7
U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums[7]	1

References

1. http://www.djbooth.net/index/tracks/review/bobby-valentino-ft-lil-wayne-your-smile
2. Bobby V Set For 'Rebirth' With New Label and Album Archived 2012-07-30 at Archive.today singersroom.com. Accessed September 29, 2017.
3. Hasty, Katie (2019-02-18). "Swift Back To No. 1 As Plant/Krauss, Coldplay Soar". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
4. "Bobby Valentino myspace bio". Retrieved 2009-01-03.
5. "Allmusic Review".
6. "Amazon.co.jp： リバース: ボビー・ヴァレンティノ, ドッティ・ピープルズ, ラファエル・サディーク: 音楽". Amazon.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2009-05-01.
7. "Artist Chart History - Bobby Valentino - Albums". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. Retrieved 2009-02-19.