Bobby Marcel Wilson (born February 27, 1980), better known by his stage name Bobby V (also known as Bobby Valentino), is an American R&B singer. He was first a member of the R&B group Mista in 1994, before signing to rapper Ludacris through his label imprint, Disturbing tha Peace under Def Jam Recordings in 2005. Bobby V's first single as a solo artist, "Slow Down", released in February 2005, peaked at number 8 on Billboards Hot 100 chart. The single was certified gold by the RIAA and became the lead single for his eponymous debut album (2005)—which peaked at number 3 on the Billboard 200 and had a follow up single, "Tell Me" (featuring Lil Wayne). His next album, Special Occasion was released in May 2007, and warranted success from its second single, "Anonymous" (featuring Timbaland). He has charted three No. 1 albums on Billboards U.S. Top R&B Chart since 2006. Life and career 1980–2004: Early life and career beginnings Bobby Marcel Wilson was born on February 27, 1980, in Mississippi. He later moved to Atlanta, Georgia. Growing up, Wilson listened to Michael Jackson, Tony! Toni! Toné!, Marvin Gaye, Jodeci, and The Isley Brothers. Those were the artists that inspired him to become a R&B singer. Wilson entered the music scene in 1996 as a member of the R&B youth quartet Mista, at this time using his real name, Bobby Wilson. The new teenage R&B group released their first record. Under the production of Organized Noize (TLC's "Waterfalls"), the group released their self-titled debut album, which produced the hit single "Blackberry Molasses". However, the album did not follow in the same success and despite a second album being produced by Tim & Bob, it was never released. Due to management issues the group split in 1997. Wilson later enrolled at Clark Atlanta University majoring in mass communications. While in school, Wilson continued to record in his free time in hopes of one day returning to the stage. 2005–2007: Debut album and Special Occasion Bobby Valentino was released in the spring of 2005 through Island Def Jam and Ludacris' Disturbing tha Peace label and was certified gold by the RIAA selling over 708,000 copies in the United States. Primarily produced by hitmakers Tim & Bob, his first single, "Slow Down", became a Top 10 hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and a #1 R&B single on the Billboard R&B