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
Red & Gold
Blu Lyrics
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I fell in love with crime at a young age
I was into dark shit
So much pain, I didn't fear anything
Destined to be a king, word to everything
The infamous little nigga from the Island
Hempstead get dough and get violent
Shout out to Terrace, Park Side
Dusty little hood niggas love my raps
They identify with me
They can relate to that
Big gin gallon, little black strap
Put you to sleep real quick, little cat nap
You wake up in a few months
Now how that happen?
Dummy motherfucker got his dome wrapped-ed
Damn, it was a wrap with the window cracked
The jakes thought it was the
Crack in the 'Lac, he had the sister crack
Was on my D and let the sisters pass
Was on my G
The Capri 83s with the mirror match
Uh, I never bang Crip 'til I hang with Crips
You lucky, I ain't had a eight on my hip
You seen days when you seen K's
Was on gauge thinking I ain't seen a gauge
Turned the gauge to the ink pen
88, she sat on the plates
Told her I was 83, bagged the whole race
Gold chains on my chest
You need a vest just to be the best
I'm from the West where the realest rest
And the sun sets the sun woke up to the
Bump with the blunt wet
Thirty minutes after the hour
For the ones fetched
It was a Sunday when I did the album
And got my first Jesus piece
From my uncle Calvin cause I'm a G
And if you wanna see the best of me
All you gotta do is test me
If I kept bringin' her home, ha
Tell you wanna I'm gonna do
Then I'll leave it alone
Ooh, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo
Come on back to me, girl
Yeah, heh, heh, ohh, huh, huh
Only here by the grace of Jah, jumped out and
Where each time bad bitch chase the car
Mandatory too far for a drive-by
In the Golden State
And I was clocking away every day
Like it was just for play
Product of the government's foul play
A 80s kid
And it was twice the trip cause back then
It was mainly Crips
We're fashionably Su Woop-in' with
A caut-y of conscience
Impressionably my eyes wide
Through the nonsense switch hit no homo
Lil nigga wanted nothing more
Than to come home with a trophy
After winning the car show
Not too many managed to avoid the gathletes
But it's no deterring once a
Young lad turned savage
Hoop dreams turn to coupe dreams
Cause on the average
Once he 14, he Damu and grabs him a package
He starts screaming, grab a pitchfork
Stab a devil demon
I seen him, pro-activist promethazine leaning
Dreaming with the sun out, death threats
I pull my gun out
Your best bet is to run out
What you talkin' 'bout? I air
'em out like tires
Apply pressure with a pair of pliers
Sing 'em like Jeremiah
Esquire swagging in a G-wagon
Bragging 'bout
Toe tagging, blowing fire out a dragon mouth
Down south or back east, they say out West
You a beast
Call me in the morning take two of these
Blue and greens, by any means you a fiend
Shoot him up with music like New Orleans
Talking that patois, Mardi Gras, hardy har
You don't go nowhere without your bodyguard
Gang Starr party hard, started off on
Crescent Heights boulevard, finished it
All my niggas guilty slash innocent
And if you wanna see the best of me
All you gotta do is test me
If I kept bringin' her home, ha
Tell you wanna I'm gonna do
Then I'll leave it alone
Ooh, hoo, hoo, hoo, hoo
Come on back to me, girl
Yeah, heh, heh, ohh, huh, huh
The lyrics of Blu's song "Red & Gold" tell a story of his upbringing in a tough neighborhood, where he developed a fascination with crime from a young age. He mentions feeling no fear despite experiencing a lot of pain, and in his mind, he was destined to be a king. Blu pays homage to his hometown of Hempstead and gives shoutouts to various locations and people in his community.
He references his reputation as a rapper that resonates with the hood, as his lyrics are relatable to those who have lived through similar struggles. Blu also talks about the dangers of his lifestyle, including the presence of guns and the consequences of getting caught up in the streets. He reflects on the times when he was involved in illegal activities, but also acknowledges his growth and maturity over time.
In the second verse, Blu reminisces about his past associations with gang culture and how fortunate it is that he didn't have a gun at one point. He touches on the violence he witnessed and the constant need to stay vigilant in his surroundings. Blu highlights the juxtaposition of his aspirations to be successful in the music industry while navigating a world filled with crime and danger. Despite the challenges, he remains focused and determined to achieve his goals.
The third verse delves into Blu's connection to his roots and the State of California. He mentions his regular routine, almost as if work was a game to him. He speaks about the influence and impact of the government's actions during his upbringing in the '80s, where gang affiliation was prevalent. Blu shares his desire to be recognized and celebrated, both as a rapper and by winning car shows, symbolizing material success.
Blu conveys his loyalty and dedication to his gang, expressing their willingness to engage in violence and defend their territory. He talks about the fear he instills in others and emphasizes his power through lyrics and music. Blu references various locations and their reputation for being tough, which solidifies his status as a respected artist from the West Coast.
Overall, the lyrics of "Red & Gold" depict Blu's experience growing up in a crime-ridden neighborhood, his aspirations for success, and the challenges he faced along the way. It's a reflection on his journey through the streets, and he uses his music as a platform to express himself and make his mark in the world.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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