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
My Boy Blu
Blu Lyrics
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Sonny Boy Williamson I (John Lee)
(Sonny Boy Williamson I)
Sonny Boy Williamson - vcl and hca
With Blind John Davis - piano, Ted Summitt - gtr
Armand 'Jump' Jackson - drums
Recording: Chicago, Dec 14, 1944
Album: Vol. 4 Document Records DOCD5058
I've got to check up on my baby, yeah
I've got to see how my baby been gettin along
But I've got to go an check up on my baby
I've got to see how my baby been gettin 'long
Now an I'm goin an fightin' now for our country
We gotta keep Mussolini from treatin' my baby wrong
'Mussolini got scared an cut out, didn't he?'
Now, don't ya know what Hitler told President Roosevelt?
Said we made the bad design plan, worry on
Oh President Roosevelt, I think they're tellin' a lie
Brother, so we gotta have a plan that's built up like a squirrel
An I'll send my boys to check up on their baby, yeah
A-my boys must see how there baby doin', gettin' along
He said, 'You help me win this war
Gotta keep Hitler from treatin' yo' baby wrong
Now don't you know my baby, she can't even write
No, my baby can't even a-send no telegram
I've got to check up on my baby
I know my baby wanna, a-know just where I am
Now I've got to go check up on my baby, now
I've got to see how my baby been gettin' along
Well now, we've just got to win this war
I swear because they don't mean my baby, no harm
(instrumental - all)
'Oh yeah!'
Well now, an I've got som'thin to tell you, baby
That I know that you really, really can't do
I know you can't love me
An you wanna a-love some other man, too
But I've got to go an check up on you, baby
I've got to see baby, how you been gettin 'long
Well now, an if you help me, baby
I swear I will never do you no harm.
~
The song "Check Up On My Baby" by Sonny Boy Williamson I tells the story of a man who is worried about his girlfriend, known as "baby." He needs to see how she's been getting along because he is fighting for his country and wants to keep Mussolini from treating her wrongly. He can't rely on his baby to communicate any issues because she can't write or send telegrams. So he sends his boys to check up on her in his absence. Despite his suspicious thoughts that his baby might be seeing someone else, he swears that he will never make any harm towards her if she helps him in return.
The lyrics to the song highlight the challenges faced by couples who are separated during war times. The use of "baby" in the lyrics also portrays a sense of dependency and helplessness. The song also highlights the complexities of war and how it can affect families, friends, and loved ones back home.
Line by Line Meaning
I've got to check up on my baby, yeah
I need to find out how my lover is doing
I've got to see how my baby been gettin along
I want to know my lover's well-being
But I've got to go an check up on my baby
I must visit my lover
I've got to see how my baby been gettin 'long
I must assess my lover's current situation
Now an I'm goin an fightin' now for our country
I am fighting for my country
We gotta keep Mussolini from treatin' my baby wrong
We must prevent Mussolini from harming my lover
'Mussolini got scared an cut out, didn't he?'
Mussolini was frightened and left
Now, don't ya know what Hitler told President Roosevelt?
Do you know what Hitler said to President Roosevelt?
Said we made the bad design plan, worry on
He claimed we have a flawed plan, so be careful
Oh President Roosevelt, I think they're tellin' a lie
I believe he is lying to President Roosevelt
Brother, so we gotta have a plan that's built up like a squirrel
We need a plan that is strong and adaptable
An I'll send my boys to check up on their baby, yeah
I will send my soldiers to assess their loved ones
A-my boys must see how there baby doin', gettin' along
My soldiers need to see how their lovers are faring
He said, 'You help me win this war
He said, 'Assist me in winning this war
Gotta keep Hitler from treatin' yo' baby wrong
We must stop Hitler from harming our loved ones
Now don't you know my baby, she can't even write
My lover cannot even write
No, my baby can't even a-send no telegram
My lover cannot send a telegram
I've got to check up on my baby
I have to make sure my lover is okay
I know my baby wanna, a-know just where I am
I know my lover wants to know my location
Now I've got to go check up on my baby, now
I have to visit my lover now
I've got to see how my baby been gettin' along
I need to assess my lover's progress
Well now, we've just got to win this war
We absolutely must win this war
I swear because they don't mean my baby, no harm
I promise that my lover will not be harmed
'Oh yeah!'
Expressing enthusiasm
Well now, an I've got som'thin to tell you, baby
Now, I have something to tell you, darling
That I know that you really, really can't do
I know that you truly cannot do
I know you can't love me
I am aware that you cannot love me
An you wanna a-love some other man, too
You want to love someone else as well
But I've got to go an check up on you, baby
However, I need to visit you, darling
I've got to see baby, how you been gettin 'long
I must assess your progress
Well now, an if you help me, baby
If you assist me, darling
I swear I will never do you no harm.
I promise that I will never hurt you
Contributed by Max E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
E.J. Arroyo
Most underrated mc ever.
Anthony Truman
Truly. Real ones know tho
Martin Garden
E.J. Arroyo fo sho
Jay Kush
blu is one of the best emcees to ever do it ... thank you !!!!
Héctor Rosas
Damn Blu is 30 now and he said to DXHiphop "i don't see myself rapping at 30" :( is so sad, but something else, he rejected in 2008 - 2010 deals with deathrow and interscope to sign with an independent label... he is damn good and i heard him daily a bit before that XXL cover :)
A M
criminally underrated
Willie Dynamite
Never saw this. This album needs to be mastered and released. This is great!
Pacific Chief
Why doesn't this have 1 million views, minimum?
Martin Garden
Pacific Chief he needs marketing
A.K.A. The Rugged Manchild
better yet why doesn't this have 1 billion views