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
Everybody Nose
Blu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Soupa Deville '78
Sun up in the sky when the clouds was grey
There we exchanged those ropes for chains
Some things will never be the same
(Verse 1: Blu)
Ayo, look up in the sky, it's a bird, it's a plane
But I'm saying, the game needs to, get a make o'
Everything they play is just that same 'ol, same 'ol
Smoking on that Jane, yo. Riding in that Range yo
These niggas still doing songs 'bout slanging cane bro?
That shit is way old, still getting paid though
Fuck you think we came for? To be on the Today Show?
Ya'll need to slide a few more O's up on that payroll
Matter fact, bring the money bags off a crane yo
Tiger style, like I bring that Wu-Tang flow
Used to bust to bust, now they do it for the fame yo
I heard that Jay still getting '88 dough, I'm sayinn
(Hook: Sa-Ra)
Some things will never be the same
As they came
Peopled changed
And everybody knows
Some things will never be the same
As they came
Its a shame
[Verse 2: Blu)
Ayo, the radio, the tv yo, and even the press
It was the reason for the stress that they pile on your chest
But I said "Fuck that!". Make sure the system in my truck stacked
I'm sick of cruising around the town off this bus pass
I used to bust back when ya'll was watching Rugrats
5'10" pimp, growing out that little moustache
Watching s***s pass, wishing I could touch that
Pose on the scope on that all black chuck hat
They brought the Chucks back, but who the G's above that?
Had them all whites like, "I dare somebody scuff that"
They know the drama, but it ain't no need to talk that
Feel bad cause I never brought my poppa's gun back
Run niggas when I never used to run track
Shit I used to get a young snatch off of one rap
I was a Slick Rick since I was a young cat - Yuppp
When I got that bdp poster I hung that uppp
Can't believe my teacher put me in a dunce hat once - Say what!?
(Hook: Sa-Ra)
Some things will never be the same
As they came
Peopled changed
And everybody knows
Some things will never be the same
As they came
Its a shame
[Verse 3: Blu)
Ayo, the Kangols, the jumpsuits, the fat gold chains
The 3 stripes, the Cortez, stacking old tapes
The boombox, the flat-top, the lines, and the fade
The beepers, the speakers the 4-finger rings
Rakim's G-Raps, the Big Daddy Kanes
The Biz, the real roxanne, Dana Dane
Ll, The Fat Boys, Ice Cube, and Dre
Ice T, just ice, D Nice, and Flav
The Beasty Boys - Yup! - Even 3rd Bass
(Hook: Sa-Ra)
Some things will never be the same
As they came
Peopled changed
And everybody knows
Some things will never be the same
As they came
Its a shame
The song "Everybody Nose" by Blu is a commentary on the evolution of hip hop and the culture that surrounds it. The song starts with an intro that invokes nostalgia for the past - a time when things were simpler and there was a sense of community. The rest of the song builds on this theme by pointing out the changes that have taken place over time.
The first verse of the song decries the current state of the rap game, which Blu views as stagnant and repetitive. He calls out artists for continuing to rap about the same tired topics and urges them to innovate and bring something new to the table. He also expresses frustration with the disparity in pay between established artists and up-and-comers, and suggests that the industry needs to find ways to better reward young talent.
The second verse focuses more on Blu's personal experience growing up in the hip hop scene. He reminisces about his earlier years - watching Rugrats, wearing Kangols and jumpsuits, and listening to classic artists like Rakim and Biz Markie. He also confronts some of the darker aspects of his past, such as when his teacher put him in a dunce cap and when he would "get a young snatch off of one rap."
Line by Line Meaning
Soupa Deville '78
Referring to a classic vehicle that set the standard and will always be remembered
Sun up in the sky when the clouds was grey
A visual representation of a positive mindset in a negative situation
There we exchanged those ropes for chains
A symbol of how societal progress can lead to new challenges
Some things will never be the same
Acknowledging that change is inevitable and we must embrace it
Ayo, look up in the sky, it's a bird, it's a plane
A playful introduction into the idea of change being necessary in the music industry
Ya'll niggas know the name and ain't a damn thing change
Despite the individual's name staying the same, the industry must evolve to stay relevant
But I'm saying, the game needs to, get a make o'
Calling for a transformation in the music industry
Everything they play is just that same 'ol, same 'ol
Pointing out the lack of innovation in the current music scene
Smoking on that Jane, yo. Riding in that Range yo
A commentary on how rappers continue to stay stuck in the past
These niggas still doing songs 'bout slanging cane bro?
A critique of the glorification of drug dealing in the music industry
That shit is way old, still getting paid though
Acknowledging that although the content may be old, it still sells in the current market
Fuck you think we came for? To be on the Today Show?
A rhetorical question critiquing the commercialization of music
Ya'll need to slide a few more O's up on that payroll
Calling for fair compensation for artists
Matter fact, bring the money bags off a crane yo
An exaggerated request for equal pay in the music industry
Tiger style, like I bring that Wu-Tang flow
Referencing the innovative sound of the Wu-Tang Clan in comparison to current artists
Used to bust to bust, now they do it for the fame yo
Pointing out the shift in motivation for artists from passion to fame
I heard that Jay still getting '88 dough, I'm sayinn
Referencing Jay-Z's long career and commenting on the need for evolution and growth in the industry
Peopled changed
Acknowledging that changes in individuals and society are inevitable
And everybody knows
Awareness of this fact is universal
Ayo, the radio, the tv yo, and even the press
Calling out the media's role in influencing people and perpetuating the status quo
It was the reason for the stress that they pile on your chest
Drawing attention to the negative impact the media can have on individuals
But I said 'Fuck that!'. Make sure the system in my truck stacked
An affirmation to reject negative influences and focus on personal growth
I'm sick of cruising around the town off this bus pass
A commentary on the struggles of artists trying to make a living in the industry
I used to bust back when ya'll was watching Rugrats
A boastful line about past success and a reminder of how far the artist has come
They know the drama, but it ain't no need to talk that
A reminder that negative talk achieves nothing and personal growth is the ultimate focus
Feel bad cause I never brought my poppa's gun back
A confession of guilt and regret in relation to past actions
Run niggas when I never used to run track
A boastful line about how far the artist has come and how he is no longer running away from problems
Shit I used to get a young snatch off of one rap
A braggadocious line about past success with women
I was a Slick Rick since I was a young cat - Yuppp
Referencing the iconic rapper and pointing out how long the artist has been following the same path
When I got that bdp poster I hung that uppp
Referencing influential artists and how they have inspired the artist
Can't believe my teacher put me in a dunce hat once - Say what!?
A playful line about how the artist was underestimated in his youth
Ayo, the Kangols, the jumpsuits, the fat gold chains
A nostalgic look back at fashion trends that were popular in the past
The 3 stripes, the Cortez, stacking old tapes
Referencing classic sneakers and the prevalence of cassette tapes in the past
The boombox, the flat-top, the lines, and the fade
Referencing classic hairstyles and the love for music in past generations
The beepers, the speakers the 4-finger rings
Referencing technology and fashion trends in the past
Rakim's G-Raps, the Big Daddy Kanes
Referencing influential rappers who paved the way for current artists
The Biz, the real roxanne, Dana Dane
Referencing classic hip-hop artists from the past
Ll, The Fat Boys, Ice Cube, and Dre
Referencing influential rap artists from the past
Ice T, just ice, D Nice, and Flav
Referencing classic hip-hop artists and their impact on the industry
The Beasty Boys - Yup! - Even 3rd Bass
Referencing iconic groups and their impact on hip-hop culture
Contributed by Penelope Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.