NEW YORK (Island Def Jam ) -
Bobby Valentino's smooth and sexy "Slow Down," the debut single from the first R&B artist signed to Ludacris' Island Def Jam/Disturbing Tha Peace joint venture label, wins the No 1 spot on Billboard's Hot R&B/ Hip Hop Singles & Tracks chart - and sends his self-titled debut album DISTURBING THA PEACE PRESENTS: BOBBY VALENTINO straight to a No 2 debut this week on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Billboard Album chart. On the pop side, "
Slow Down" jumps 2 points to No 16-bullet on the Hot 100, and the album debuts at No 3 on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart, with 179,751 units sold.
Channeling the sounds of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Prince and other classic R&B greats in his music, Bobby Valentino has tapped into a soul-starved marketplace that can't seem to get enough of him. The video for "Slow Down," directed by Erick White (who has shot clips for DTP founder Ludacris, Chingy, Fabolous, Jojo and others) stays at No 1 on BET and has just been added on MTV. Bobby is scheduled to appear May 11th on ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live, and May 13th on ABC's Live with Regis & Kelly.
"Slow Down," produced by hitmakers Tim & Bob (known for their string of hits with TLC, Jodeci, Jagged Edge, and others) has turned into the R&B success story of the year. Bobby recently wrapped up a 32-city promotional tour of major and secondary markets, where "Slow Down" accelerated nearly 10 million in Hot 100 radio airplay audience to nearly 80 million last week. The digital single sold another 7,800 downloads this week, reaching almost 40,000 in a little over 2 months.
Born in Jackson, Mississippi, and raised in Atlanta, 22-year old Bobby Valentino first tasted stardom in the teen vocal group Mista (produced by Organized Noize), who delivered a classic hit with 1996's "Blackberry Molasses."
Bobby returned to school, eventually receiving a degree from Clark Atlanta University two years ago. The wisdom he's acquired over the years makes his debut album irresistible, as listeners hone in on his extraordinary vocal ability, teased by such tunes as "Love Dream," in which he puts his falsetto to good use, and the poignant "My Angel," focusing on the magical chemistry between a man and his true love.
Tour dates for Bobby Valentino will be announced in the weeks ahead.
