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
Boyz II Men
Blu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only thing, you could be is down when it hit boy
I'm just a bridge boy, tryna get Rich Boy
Put some new D's on all of that, with the switch boy
Two chains, two tits boy
You niggas know the deal Blu Pharrell like Clipse boy
Mike Jack off The Wall like Quince boy
You think I'm just showing my ass, you thinking Prince, Bo-oy!
You ain't holding no weight, no real bricks boy
You niggas pitching wishes at the well with the fish boy
Fuck is this boy thinking, he ain't this boy
We the shit boy, take a shit and make a wish and find a grave to dig, cause we REAL, boy!
Take a Que get off of the Tip boy
And cough it up cause, ah you ain't shit boy
You should sit boy, sis boy
Drink a fifth, take a piss and take the dick
Sit and put hair on your chest, Boyz II Men boy!
These lil' niggas bugg-in', gotta quit the front-in'
Wet behind the ears, baby boy you just a young-in'
Rookie you ain't rough enough for buck-in' noth-in'
You ain't thuggin', nah you ain't thugg-in'
I bet you tight you wanna fight, boy
It's passed your bedtime tonight, boy
This shit don't happen overnight, boy
Just calm down, you'll be alright, boy
We brought it back son, like wax son
You just whack son, yeah whack!
Brought Jill to the jam and got gat son
You don't know what you've got until it's Janet Jackson
We go back son, like that son
'88, you was based off crack son
Me I was putting bass on a track son
I had a ?, smack you in your face when it slap sumtin'
Ask son if it shine like the black son
Didn't think sort of ink could flood the map son
So heavy that the levees had to crack son
And make you crap son, for making crap son
Don't cry son, there's no pride son
You getting stung like dad whipping that ass
For that last report card you had, you barely passed son
Pass son the math, we getting cash, Boyz II Men!
These lil' niggas bugg-in', gotta quit the front-in'
Wet behind the ears, baby boy you just a young-in'
Rookie you ain't rough enough for buck-in' noth-in'
You ain't thuggin', nah you ain't thugg-in'
I bet you tight you wanna fight, boy
It's passed your bedtime tonight, boy
This shit don't happen overnight, boy
Just calm down, you'll be alright, boy
So what you thought kid?
You was the boss kid?
You manage Ross kid
I'm Rick Ross
Off kids' heads coming off the top kid
We coming off the block with the Glocks kid
They gon' pop so they don't get popped kid
Then pop shit and turn it to a mystery, pop quiz
Popped Jizz now it is what it is kid
Tom Hanks, Chris Wallace, big kid
I'm like the Juice Crew
I know the Biz kid
Rakim before the ? , Wiz Kids
Peabody at the party
Piss kids off, when I spit kid, talk to the dick kid
Kids lost, run around with the shark
Drowned in the ground, and got found in the park
Tossed in the ditch, for walking with the 5th
He stalkin' after darted your heart
Can I live? kid
It's back to this kid
We pack the clips kid
Boyz II Men kid
These lil' niggas bugg-in', gotta quit the front-in'
Wet behind the ears, baby boy you just a young-in'
Rookie you ain't rough enough for buck-in' noth-in'
You ain't thuggin', nah you ain't thugg-in'
I bet you tight you wanna fight, boy
It's passed your bedtime tonight, boy
This shit don't happen overnight, boy
Just calm down, you'll be alright, boy
The lyrics to Blu's song Boyz II Men are a diss track aimed at younger rappers who are pretending to be tough and streetwise. The verses are full of aggressive put-downs and references to violence, suggesting that the younger rappers are naive and out of their depth. The chorus "These lil' niggas bugg-in', gotta quit the front-in', wet behind the ears, baby boy you just a young-in'" emphasizes this idea of immaturity and implies that these younger rappers haven't yet earned their stripes.
Blu contrasts himself with the younger rappers, boasting of his experience and success in the game. He references the classic rap group Clipse, claiming that he and Pharrell are on par with them. He also references Michael Jackson and Prince, two icons of pop and R&B music, suggesting that he is a higher level of performer than these younger rappers.
Overall, the lyrics are aggressive and confrontational, with Blu insisting that he and his peers are the real deal, and that the younger rappers need to prove themselves before they can lay claim to the title of "thug". The song is a powerful critique of the image-driven culture of hip-hop, and a call for authenticity and respect in the genre.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, Big Boi, and don't forget boy
Addressing Big Boi and reminding him of the purpose of the song
Only thing, you could be is down when it hit boy
The only way to react when things get real is to stay grounded and focused
I'm just a bridge boy, tryna get Rich Boy
I'm just a bridge between old and new, trying to elevate my status like Rich Boy did
Put some new D's on all of that, with the switch boy
Upgrade my car with some new rims and electronics
Two chains, two tits boy
Wearing two chains and admiring a woman's body
You niggas know the deal Blu Pharrell like Clipse boy
Establishing the level of the artist's status and comparing to Clipse
Mike Jack off The Wall like Quince boy
Referring to Michael Jackson's Off the Wall era and connecting it to his own music
You think I'm just showing my ass, you thinking Prince, Bo-oy!
Responding to the criticism of showing too much, comparing to Prince
You used to care boy, you claiming killer but that glove don't fit, boy
You pretend to be a tough guy, but you're not getting away with it
You ain't holding no weight, no real bricks boy
You're not influential enough to make a change
You niggas pitching wishes at the well with the fish boy
You're wasting your time and effort on things that won't pay off
Fuck is this boy thinking, he ain't this boy
Questioning the motives of someone who's not living up to the hype
We the shit boy, take a shit and make a wish and find a grave to dig, cause we REAL, boy!
We're really good and successful, and even waste can generate a profit for us because of our authenticity
Take a Que get off of the Tip boy
Take a break and relax
And cough it up cause, ah you ain't shit boy
Admit that you're not worthy or important
You should sit boy, sis boy
You should be quiet and submissive
Drink a fifth, take a piss and take the dick
Drink alcohol, urinate, and submit to someone else's authority
Sit and put hair on your chest, Boyz II Men boy!
Relax and become more confident, like a mature man
These lil' niggas bugg-in', gotta quit the front-in'
Young rappers are acting cocky and need to stop
Wet behind the ears, baby boy you just a young-in'
You're inexperienced and naive
Rookie you ain't rough enough for buck-in' noth-in'
You're not yet tough enough to start trouble with anyone
You ain't thuggin', nah you ain't thugg-in'
You're not a real gangster, you're just pretending
I bet you tight you wanna fight, boy
I bet you're angry and want to fight me
It's passed your bedtime tonight, boy
You shouldn't be out this late, considering your age
This shit don't happen overnight, boy
Becoming successful takes time and effort
Just calm down, you'll be alright, boy
Don't worry, everything will be fine
So what you thought kid?
What did you think would happen?
You was the boss kid?
Did you consider yourself in charge?
You manage Ross kid
You're only managing Ross, not in charge
I'm Rick Ross
I am the real Rick Ross
Off kids' heads coming off the top kid
I'm freestyling and coming up with lyrics on the spot
We coming off the block with the Glocks kid
We're coming from the streets with guns
They gon' pop so they don't get popped kid
We are carrying guns to protect ourselves from others carrying guns
Then pop shit and turn it to a mystery, pop quiz
Start trouble and end up in a dangerous situation
Popped Jizz now it is what it is kid
We're in a bad situation because of our reckless behavior
Tom Hanks, Chris Wallace, big kid
Name-dropping successful and influential people
I'm like the Juice Crew
I'm part of a successful group of artists
I know the Biz kid
I'm familiar with the successful rapper Biz Markie
Rakim before the ?, Wiz Kids
Referencing Rakim's early work and connecting it to current young rappers
Peabody at the party
Referring to a prestigious school, implying that the artist is educated and sophisticated
Piss kids off, when I spit kid, talk to the dick kid
I'm good at making people angry and rapping vulgar lyrics
Kids lost, run around with the shark
Young rappers are misguided and running with dangerous people
Drowned in the ground, and got found in the park
Young rappers are dying prematurely and being found dead in public places
Tossed in the ditch, for walking with the 5th
Carrying a gun can get you killed or arrested
He stalkin' after darted your heart
Someone is after you and trying to harm you
Can I live? kid
Can I survive and thrive in this industry?
We pack the clips kid
We are carrying guns
Boyz II Men kid
We're great and successful, like the legendary group Boyz II Men
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Johnson Barnes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind