1. An American rapper and produce… Read Full Bio ↴There are 2 artists with the name Blu:
1. An American rapper and producer from Los Angeles, California.
2. An ambient drum and bass musician located in the United Kingdom.
(1) Johnson Barnes (born April 15, 1983 in Inglewood, California), better known by the stage name Blu, is an American rapper and producer. In 2007 he released his debut album, "Below the Heavens", which was produced entirely by Exile, one half of Emanon. Since then he has collaborated with Mainframe under the name Johnson&Jonson, and with Ta'Raach under the name C.R.A.C. Knuckles. He has also released several solo albums, most notably "HerFavoriteColo(u)r" (2009), "j e s u s" (2011) and "No York!" (2011). Furthermore, in 2009 he produced the Sene & Blu album "ADayLate&ADollarShort" and in 2011 he released a second album with Exile, "Give Me Flowers While I Can Smell Them".
Blu is definitely a leader in the new school of Los Angeles emcees. His presence is undeniable, while his music captivates audiences regardless of race, class, and gender. He has been credited with taking LA hip hop back to the place where Freestyle Fellowship, Jurassic 5, and The Pharcyde left off.
With his cool-headed SoCal demeanor and everyman charisma, Blu was championed at the onset of his recording career when he collaborated with Emanon DJ/producer Exile for the highly acclaimed LP Below the Heavens (2007). Born Johnson Barnes in Inglewood, California, Blu, whose stepfather was a pastor, was very influenced by gospel and Christian rap when he was developing his MC skills in middle and high school. His musical turning point came when he first heard the Common classic "I Used to Love H.E.R." (1994), as well as the Chicago MC's third album, One Day It'll All Make Sense (1997). From then onward, Blu abandoned his schoolyard freestyle frame of mind and dedicated his abilities to crafting well-written songs. As he started doing live performances, he paid his dues working as a hype man for several underground rap and soul artists, including Slum Village, Steve Spacek, Platinum Pied Pipers, and, of course, Emanon. His relationship with Exile and newfound mindset in making music pointed him toward signing with L.A. independent Sound in Color in 2004, which for the young MC meant brushing off interest from Interscope and Death Row.
Subsequently, he cut a few records for Exile's Sound in Color album, Dirty Science (2006), recorded features for other L.A. artists, and self-pressed his Lifted EP in 2006. When Below the Heavens first hit shelves in August 2007, Blu and Exile were virtual unknowns in underground hip-hop, but Blu's deft songwriting and Exile's soul-drenched, Jay Dee-influenced production quickly amassed them a national audience. Below the Heavens ended up on many critics' year-end lists and, particularly, launched Blu into the public hip-hop eye. Remaining independent, Blu later turned to Sound in Color labelmate and L.A.-via-Detroit MC/producer Ta'Raach (formerly known as Lacks) for the collaborative project C.R.A.C. Knuckles. Over the next five years, Blu released a total of seven albums and mixtapes, including 2011's Open and Blu & Exile's Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them in 2012. The previously unreleased albums Her Favorite Colo(U)r and NoYork! also finally saw proper release in 2013. ~ Cyril Cordor, Rovi
The underground Los Angeles-based duo of MC Blu (b. Johnson Barnes) and DJ/producer Exile (b. Aleksander Manfredi) earned widespread acclaim right out of the gate with their debut album, Below the Heavens (2007), which critics crowned as the seemingly perfect marriage of Blu's everyday-struggle raps and Exile's Pete Rock- and J Dilla-inspired production. Blu, struggling to make ends meet at the time, first crossed paths with Exile in the early to mid-2000s, while the rapper earned gigs as a hype man for various soul/hip-hop outfits like Slum Village, Platinum Pied Pipers, and Exile's own duo, Emanon. In fact, Blu knew the other half of Emanon, MC/singer Aloe Blacc, who then introduced the two to each other. Deciding to sign to L.A. independent label Sound in Color, Exile's label home, in 2004, Blu began cutting a few records with the DJ/producer and assisted him with his solo LP, Dirty Science (2006). Blu was still trying to break into the industry, but Exile was enjoying production credits for the likes of Jurassic 5, Kardinal Offishall, and Mobb Deep. The release of the soul-entrenched collaborative effort, Below the Heavens in August 2007, put them both in the limelight and had fans of the alternative rap scene buzzing; however, it specifically garnered Blu many "Artist to Watch" features in various magazine and online publications throughout the year and into 2008. During subsequent years, they worked apart more than together; nevertheless, 2012 brought another co-billed LP, Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them. ~ Cyril Cordor, Rovi
Above Crenshaw
Blu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Excuse these daggers, swagger so mean
Uv raiders, ain’t showin no green
[Verse:]
Since I was a yella comin out of Cincinella
Vernon Infada had them goatees in the fish tank
Bad on cassette tape, bad on cassettey
Go up to the store and seen a rise on the corner
On some holy mission missionary waitin for the war
Fuck Jerry’s Atari, got great grades off robbers
Martin Luther King parade, it’s 1st grade
18 when she first taught me how to French
And I was 12, got a brown sugar from the Swosa swap
Pop cigarettes that ain’t smell like my grandma’s
Baby luke is poured into that California popcorn
Pourin on a Tuesday, pourin on a Wednesday
Fore I’m at Thursday, Woody on my birthday
Hoodie on church day, squab it to the curb surf
Word, finding out my girlfriend sold crack
New pair of panties and patent leather grants
Doors on that ’75 Burgundy Chrysler
Marty’s first rap, fish house bout Woody’s member
More pains whoopings after propane’s cooking jug
Marla woofin out and done in every club
Every chocolate I dodge try to get knocked up
Every fuckin cop dodged fore I got locked up
Every shout out that I got for every pellet gun
Shout out Bust, what the fuck you doin in some pk’s?
Getting busy in the Burger King bathroom
Full even niggas at the Demi’s with the building
Peal to the crib, Tele Mundo, killin kids
Pink sober’s cop the most pink tacos
Titty squos, pig latin to the vatos
In the boonies where nobody really knew me
But the hood was still in me even when I didn’t knew it was
[Bridge:]
Excuse these daggers, swagger so mean
Uv raiders, ain’t showin no green
[Hook:]
I’m so fluorescent, I could light up yo dreams
Just so caressin, no touchin, no don’t you know?
Wanted that bass, that clappin that boom
That backseat swinging the ep but no room
[Verse:]
Since I was a shorty coming up with trays and 40’s
Used to pretend with the homies, playin cops and og’s
Are you dancing with the handsome ugly darkness?
Posted up on stalker like pardon me
Could you buy a blunt for me?
We wrote it up with Marcus
Front of Bone’s apartment stone laughin
Flickin roaches, we was coaches
Lost and something found, they was playin Snoopy cube
Even a youth I was bumpin underground yo
I knew I was late runnin out home
I knew I was slippin with some crypts runnin from stone
Photo we wore sneakers, we ball, we all innocent
Took a hit, started losing grip off our own standin Colliseum
As my dome bled, beat me like I stole something from er
Went to school in Santa Monica,
My mama must be home, summing the drums and her harmonica
Remind me of the Christian choir, all for Lincoln
Pee Pee burnin dipped in fire, Bonnie burn me off a great burn
Take a right back when daddy was alive
Days turn to nights, Philipp’s barbeque, house at Darnes, Murphy high
Aim up was my first, touched it by the bungallows,
Never could afford it for the forward was reversed,
Been broke since out of bonds
Statuary situations, grown men and little girls
And there was girls at the shows, chorus and the verse
Fore I was a spitter was a nigga from the dirt
Staring at the ass on the back Miss Scott
Hopscotch, butterscotch, now it’s butter when I rock
Came a long way from 4th ave at the bud spots
(Came a long way from 4th ave at the bud spots
And whatnots, yes)
[Bridge:]
Excuse these daggers, swagger so mean
Uv raiders, ain’t showin no green
[Hook:]
I’m so fluorescent, I could light up yo dreams
Just so caressin, no touchin, no don’t you know?
Wanted that bass, that clappin that boom
That backseat swinging the ep but no room
So sassy, meet me at Telly or Gotelly
Straight shoppin what I wear, paint the luggage when you’re ready
[Hook:]
I’m so fluorescent, I could light up yo dreams
Just so caressin, no touchin, no don’t you know?
Wanted that bass, that clappin that boom
That backseat swinging the ep but no…
The song "Above Crenshaw" by Blu tells the story of his life growing up in Crenshaw, Los Angeles. The lyrics in the song are a collection of flashbacks, memories, and experiences that Blu has had. The bridge of the song refers to his swagger and the fact that he is unimpressed by those who flash their wealth. Blu talks about his time as a child in Cincinnati and how he came to Crenshaw, where he encountered different experiences, both positive and negative.
The verse of the song jumps between different periods of his life as he raps about his early years and his time in high school. He also mentions his first sexual experiences and getting involved with drugs. He speaks about the difficulties of growing up in a neighborhood where gang violence is prevalent and describes getting beat up by older kids. Despite the challenges he faced, Blu never lost his drive to become a rapper, as he mentions attending Martin Luther King parades and getting shoutouts from other rappers.
The hook of the song refers to his passion for music and how he has been inspired by the sounds of the city. It describes his love for boom-bap, bass, and how he used to bump underground music. Overall, the lyrics of "Above Crenshaw" reflect Blu's journey and growth as a person. The song pays homage to his roots and his love for the city of Los Angeles.
Line by Line Meaning
Excuse these daggers, swagger so mean
Please forgive my harsh demeanor and confident attitude
Uv raiders, ain’t showin no green
I am not associated with those who lack money or success
Since I was a yella comin out of Cincinella
Ever since I was young and naive in my hometown of Cincinella
Vernon Infada had them goatees in the fish tank
The Infada brothers were always trying new things in their fish tank, including goatees made of algae
Bad on cassette tape, bad on cassettey
My music was not only stored on cassette tapes, but was also seen as inferior
Guttenberg, French fries, drinks to Mike Lauries
Reading works by Guttenberg and enjoying fast food and drinks with my friend Mike Lauries
Go up to the store and seen a rise on the corner
Walking to the store and noticing an increase in activity on the street corner
On some holy mission missionary waitin for the war
Watching people on the street corner, appearing as though they are on a divine mission and waiting for conflict
Fuck Jerry’s Atari, got great grades off robbers
Disregarding Jerry and his Atari, and getting good grades by cheating from robbers
Martin Luther King parade, it’s 1st grade
Participating in a parade for Martin Luther King Jr. when I was in first grade
18 when she first taught me how to French
Learning how to French kiss at the age of 18
And I was 12, got a brown sugar from the Swosa swap
At the age of 12, I received a brown sugar treat from the local Swosa swap meet
Pop cigarettes that ain’t smell like my grandma’s
Smoking cigarettes that didn't smell like the ones my grandmother smoked
Baby luke is poured into that California popcorn
My son Luke was born amidst the backdrop of California's movie industry
Pourin on a Tuesday, pourin on a Wednesday
Drinking on a Tuesday and again on a Wednesday
Fore I’m at Thursday, Woody on my birthday
Before I knew it, it was Thursday and Woody Allen's birthday
Hoodie on church day, squab it to the curb surf
Wearing a hoodie to church and then fighting on the side of the road
Word, finding out my girlfriend sold crack
To my surprise, discovering that my girlfriend was involved in selling illegal drugs
New pair of panties and patent leather grants
Receiving a new pair of underwear and patent leather shoes as gifts
Doors on that ’75 Burgundy Chrysler
The 1975 Chrysler I owned had doors that didn't match its burgundy paint color
Marty’s first rap, fish house bout Woody’s member
Hearing Marty's first attempt at rapping and discussing Woody Allen's private life
More pains whoopings after propane’s cooking jug
Receiving more beatings after accidentally melting the propane container
Marla woofin out and done in every club
Marla was barking and caused a scene at every club she went to
Every chocolate I dodge try to get knocked up
Evading pregnancy scares with every sexual encounter
Every fuckin cop dodged fore I got locked up
Managing to avoid getting arrested by cops on multiple occasions
Every shout out that I got for every pellet gun
Receiving praise for my skill with pellet guns
Shout out Bust, what the fuck you doin in some pk’s?
Greeting Bust and questioning why he is wearing PK shoes
Getting busy in the Burger King bathroom
Engaging in sexual activity in the bathroom of Burger King
Full even niggas at the Demi’s with the building
Seeing the Demi's restaurant crowded with people, even those who didn't belong
Peal to the crib, Tele Mundo, killin kids
Heading back home, watching Tele Mundo, and seeing violent content involving children
Pink sober’s cop the most pink tacos
Noticing the police make the most arrests at Pink Sober's, a popular restaurant for soft shell tacos
Titty squos, pig latin to the vatos
Flirting with women and speaking Pig Latin to impress the Latino men
In the boonies where nobody really knew me
Living in a remote area where people didn't know who I was
But the hood was still in me even when I didn’t knew it was
Though I didn't realize it at the time, I still retained my urban upbringing
I’m so fluorescent, I could light up yo dreams
I am so bright and vibrant that I can make your dreams come alive
Just so caressin, no touchin, no don’t you know?
I am just barely touching you, but not physically, don't you understand?
Wanted that bass, that clappin that boom
Craving that deep, heavy bass sound in my music
That backseat swinging the ep but no room
Playing EPs in the backseat of a car, but not having enough space
So sassy, meet me at Telly or Gotelly
Being confident and flirty, and suggesting meeting at Telly or Gotelly
Straight shoppin what I wear, paint the luggage when you’re ready
Prefer to shop for my clothes directly and preparing my luggage for travel
Contributed by Keira W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.