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
First Things First
Blu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain't tryna game you up so girl I'll be straight (First things first)
Don't want to mess it up before it's too late (First things first)
My name is, and you are?
I'd like to get to know you if it's okay (First things first)
Ayo, tell me what I'm s'posed to do
Ayo, tell me what I'm s'posed to do (First things first)
Let me know just what I'm s'posed to do (First things first)
My name is, and you are?
I'd like to get to know you if it's okay
See it's so many ways I can approach you
I can either start off like, "'scuse me miss", but shit that's too old school
And I can flow to you but that's too cliche
Plus I don't bust to bust nuts, I bust over beat breaks
I could be honest with you and tell you I'm a cheapskate
But, you probably seen me sharing drinks with my deejay
So, fronting like I got chips is out the question
And acting like my Benz is in the shop is outdated
And I ain't into playing games
Plus I already hate them fake ballers that be always dropping names
And yeah I'm in the game but if I say I rap
You'll be looking for my range, gold chains and my strap
And I can act conscious, but if we talk politics
You'll notice that I'm out of the loop, 'cause I don't follow it
I rock fitted caps, kufis ain't for Blu, see
I eat red meat 'cause tofu don't move me
And women are confusing, but that's for later on
And the only way to tell you is to say it in a song
Like darling you a doll, don't confuse it with sexual
But don't think, I don't think of having sex with you
I'm trying to get next to you, but you being rude
In the club with ya guns out, shooting down fools
She shot down one, and shot down two
Now tell me what the fuck am I suppose to do
Ain't tryna game you up so girl I'll be straight (First things first)
Don't want to mess it up before it's too late (First things first)
My name is, and you are?
I'd like to get to know you if it's okay (First things first)
Ayo, tell me what I'm s'posed to do
Ayo, tell me what I'm s'posed to do (First things first)
You gotta tell me what I'm s'posed to do
Let me know just what I'm s'posed to do (First things first)
My name is, and you are?
I'd like to get to know you if it's okay
Now, don't get it twisted broke niggas need love too
And underground rappers like to chill at the club too
I wanna get buzzed, get drunk and get crunk
Get a chick to kick it with when I'm feeling fucked up but
Women be mentioning ya' whips and your chains
So I flip it like slaves come with whips and chains, we gotta liberate
But before I could mention my name
They be talking to the nigga with the keys to the Range
And I can't even compete with these ballers trying to get at you
'Cause I ain't even got enough cheese to try to match dude
Nor do I got a flat to bring you back to
But, I can roll up a blunt and try to relax you
Probably make you laugh when you mad in a bad mood
And ask a few questions 'bout caressing your statue
'Cause no, I ain't got corn rows or hood tattoos
But, I can fuck up any track that I rap too
I, know it's irrelevant, but rap is my profession
And just cause I'm a gentleman, don't mean I'm into settling
I spend most my time on the grind, but I ain't peddling rocks
Or trying to sign to the Roc, I'm trying to meddle in my own business
So tell your girls mind they own business
And I would give you my digits but see my phone isn't accepting calls 'til the bills get paid
Now you say you want the real, but it's the real I'm saying, so what the deal?
Ain't tryna game you up so girl I'll be straight (First things first)
Don't want to mess it up before it's too late (First things first)
My name is, and you are?
I'd like to get to know you if it's okay
If it's okay with you, if it's okay with you, if it's okay with you
The song "First Things First" by Blu and Exile is a conversation between two people who are trying to get to know each other. The lyrics focus on the male perspective trying to initiate a conversation without sounding too rehearsed, cliché, or fake. He's real with her, presents himself, and acknowledges his limitations in terms of wealth, but he wants her to see that he's a quality guy worthy of a chance. The song highlights the difficulty of genuinely making connections in a world where people often don't mean what they say and often play "games" to get what they want. In essence, the song is about honesty, vulnerability, and being true to oneself.
Throughout the song, the male perspective presents himself as he is, revealing his interests, beliefs, and limitations. He acknowledges that he doesn't want to begin something that he cannot maintain or lead on someone that he's not interested in. He's open-minded about getting to know the female perspective, but he's not trying to rush things. He wants her to know that he's looking for something real and not just a fling. The lyrics focus on the importance of honesty and authenticity, which are values that are often lost in many relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
First things first
Let me address the important things before anything else.
Ain't tryna game you up so girl I'll be straight (First things first)
I don't want to deceive you, so I'll be honest.
Don't want to mess it up before it's too late (First things first)
I don't want to ruin our potential relationship before it can even begin.
My name is, and you are?
Can we introduce ourselves to each other?
I'd like to get to know you if it's okay (First things first)
If you're comfortable with it, I want to learn more about you.
Ayo, tell me what I'm s'posed to do
What should I do in this situation?
Let me know just what I'm s'posed to do (First things first)
Can you give me guidance on how to proceed?
See it's so many ways I can approach you
There are many ways I could try to talk to you.
I can either start off like, "'scuse me miss", but shit that's too old school
I could use a classic line like "Excuse me, miss", but that feels outdated.
And I can flow to you but that's too cliche
I could try to charm you with a smooth conversation, but that's too typical.
Plus I don't bust to bust nuts, I bust over beat breaks
I'm not just trying to hook up, I want to make music with you.
I could be honest with you and tell you I'm a cheapskate
I could admit that I'm not rich and don't spend a lot of money.
But, you probably seen me sharing drinks with my deejay
I might not spend a lot on myself, but I enjoy sharing with my friends.
So, fronting like I got chips is out the question
I won't pretend to be wealthy, that's not who I am.
And acting like my Benz is in the shop is outdated
I won't lie about owning a fancy car just to impress you.
And I ain't into playing games
I don't like to play mind games or manipulate people.
Plus I already hate them fake ballers that be always dropping names
I dislike people who pretend to be wealthy and constantly name-drop.
And yeah I'm in the game but if I say I rap
I'm a rapper, but I don't want to be associated with stereotypes.
You'll be looking for my range, gold chains and my strap
I don't want you to expect me to be flashy or carry a weapon.
And I can act conscious, but if we talk politics
I could pretend to be political, but I'm not well-informed.
You'll notice that I'm out of the loop, 'cause I don't follow it
I admit that I'm not knowledgeable about politics.
I rock fitted caps, kufis ain't for Blu, see
I prefer fitted caps instead of more traditional hats like kufis.
I eat red meat 'cause tofu don't move me
I choose to eat meat over tofu because that's what I prefer.
And women are confusing, but that's for later on
I find women to be complicated, but we can discuss that later.
And the only way to tell you is to say it in a song
The best way for me to express myself is through music.
Like darling you a doll, don't confuse it with sexual
I want to compliment you without being inappropriate.
But don't think, I don't think of having sex with you
I'm attracted to you, but I won't objectify you.
I'm trying to get next to you, but you being rude
I want to get closer to you, but you're not being friendly.
In the club with ya guns out, shooting down fools
You're acting tough and intimidating, pushing people away.
She shot down one, and shot down two
You rejected two other people's advances.
Now tell me what the fuck am I suppose to do
I'm unsure of how to approach you given your behavior.
Now, don't get it twisted broke niggas need love too
I want to make it clear that even if I'm not rich, I still desire love.
And underground rappers like to chill at the club too
I'm still a part of the music scene and enjoy going out.
I wanna get buzzed, get drunk and get crunk
I want to let loose and have fun with someone.
Get a chick to kick it with when I'm feeling fucked up but
I want someone to spend time with when I'm feeling down.
Women be mentioning ya' whips and your chains
Women often talk about a man's wealth and possessions.
So I flip it like slaves come with whips and chains, we gotta liberate
I want to change this mentality and advocate for liberation instead of materialism.
But before I could mention my name
Before I could even introduce myself,
They be talking to the nigga with the keys to the Range
People are more interested in talking to rich men rather than me.
And I can't even compete with these ballers trying to get at you
I can't compare myself to wealthy men trying to impress you.
'Cause I ain't even got enough cheese to try to match dude
I don't have enough money to even compete with them.
Nor do I got a flat to bring you back to
I don't even have a nice place to bring you back to.
But, I can roll up a blunt and try to relax you
I can still provide comfort and relaxation even if I'm not rich.
Probably make you laugh when you mad in a bad mood
I can make you smile even when you're feeling down.
And ask a few questions 'bout caressing your statue
I want to learn more about your interests and hobbies.
'Cause no, I ain't got corn rows or hood tattoos
I don't fit the typical image of a rapper.
But, I can fuck up any track that I rap too
I may not have the look, but I have the talent and skill.
I, know it's irrelevant, but rap is my profession
Although it may not matter to you, rapping is my career.
And just cause I'm a gentleman, don't mean I'm into settling
I'm a respectful person, but I still have desires and ambitions.
I spend most my time on the grind, but I ain't peddling rocks
I work hard, but I don't participate in illegal activities.
Or trying to sign to the Roc, I'm trying to meddle in my own business
I'm focused on my own success, rather than trying to sign with a big record label.
So tell your girls mind they own business
Don't let your friends meddle in our potential relationship.
And I would give you my digits but see my phone isn't accepting calls 'til the bills get paid
I can't even give you my number because my phone isn't working.
Now you say you want the real, but it's the real I'm saying, so what the deal?
You claim to want honesty, but I'm giving you my true self, so what's the issue?
If it's okay with you, if it's okay with you, if it's okay with you
If you're comfortable with it, if it doesn't bother you,
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOHNSON BARNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@keiahnigman
A few years ago I only listened to this kind of rap. Damn.. miss those times when your only problem was, to find more stuff like this
@nickleiverson305
facts
@keithblevins6519
Theres mad gems out there...
Search things first!
@huejaynus3134
real shit!
@adancervantes6490
A playlist I had would have thins banger called by “Find My Way” from Tribe Called Quest
@retrob9346
@@adancervantes6490 a hell of a beat that J Dilla made for that song
@coachsoobin
I listen to this weekly, live a good life.
@bubyrocker
Daily you mean right??
@RexitHD
Nathan Fantauzza still?
@crucial9264
Weekly! Won’t get sick of it quick… facts