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
The Day
Blu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spent the weekend in my bed
Smiling lies through my teeth
Trapped in my head
I'm trying hard to hold it all together
Never good at living under pressure
Dying but I know it's not forever
Forever
Some days all I do is cry
Some days I can make it through alright
Yeah, somedayIt'll be okay
It'll be okay
I thought that I would've been
Over this by now
Then another wave pulls me in
Dragging me down
I'm trying hard to hold it all together
Never good at living under pressure
Dying but I know it's not forever
Forever
Cuz some days I almost lose my mind
Some days all I do is cry
Some days I can make it through alright
Yeah, somedayIt'll be okay
It'll be okay
I'm trying hard to hold it all together
Together
Cuz some days I almost lose my mind
Some days all I do is cry
Some days I can make it through alright
Yeah, somedayIt'll be okay
It'll be okay
The opening lines of "Dre Day" by Blu pay homage to the Wreckin' Cru, a pioneering electro hip-hop group from Los Angeles that included Dr. Dre, who later found fame as a member of N.W.A and as a solo artist. Blu, a rapper and producer from California, asserts that he carries on the legacy of the Wreckin' Cru, implying that he is a formidable force in his own right. He describes himself as a master of his craft, comparing his skills on the mic to the precision of a record cutter. He has dressed himself in a way that enables him to "step to" the music, suggesting that his image is just as important as his rhymes. Blu proclaims that nobody does it better than him when he steps to his muse, exuding a confidence that borders on arrogance.
Blu goes on to say that he can see through the smoke and mirrors of his competitors, appearing "miraculous" before them. He is clear about his priorities, characterizing his devotion to music as a matter of utmost importance. He positions himself as a prize fighter, ready to take on anyone who challenges him, likening his victory to that of a Hollywood celebrity winning an award. Blu rejects the advice of others who claim to know how he can make it, asserting that they cannot fathom the soundscapes he creates. He asserts that he makes music for himself, not for commercial success, and that he is willing to experiment with different styles, even if they are not popular. In the chorus, Blu references Dr. Dre's classic album "The Chronic", emphasizing its enduring influence on West Coast hip-hop.
Line by Line Meaning
World Class
Since Wreckin' Cru
I'm a world-class rapper since I was part of the Wreckin' Cru group
Cause my resume say "Wreckin' Crews"
Because my achievements list includes Wreckin' Crews
Cut all my records like the best to do it
I make music as good as the best artists out there
Destined to
Dress for the music so I could step to it
I was born to dress up for my music performances
Ya, no one does it better as I step to her
I'm the best music performer out there
Lex Lugers through your smoke and mirrors I appear miraculous
I can see through your lies and tricks and come out victorious
Emotions clear, my devotion matters
I express myself clearly and my passion for rap is undeniable
I clap rappers like awards-show writers
I defeat other rappers in rap battles pretty easily
Whats the doors of your Viper to the thoughts of a Christler
You and your fancy car don't compare to my talent as a rapper
Opportunity knocks on the window of my Limo and offendin'
Trying to give advice how I could get on
I have many opportunities and people offering me advice to get even bigger and better
Nigga, you couldn't picture the soundscapes I spit on
I'll do it for you
Other rappers can't even fathom the complexity and greatness of my music
Aluminum foil for sitcoms
Have rap wrapped like Reynolds
For rentals and continentals
I can handle anything from low-budget TV shows to luxury cars with ease
On Centinela posted like a Sentinel with seven yellers
Kiss Ladera on my way to work
Skip church
Twisted up the earth in a new shirt
I'm always working and creating music, regardless of what's expected of me, and I'm carefree while doing so
Ya, Dre day
Dre day
Dre day
Uh, and did I mention chronic?
I always think of Dr. Dre and Chronic when I make music, and it's Dre day every day
Was sick, went through Bubonics
If you through with knowledge
No comment
I went through a tough time, but I won't say what I learned or share my knowledge
The Lakers beat the Supersonics
Straight Ebonics
If you want to call it alcoholic
I'm reminiscing about the past when the Lakers won against the Supersonics and speaking in my unique style
Found my wallet
Next thing you know I'm found on Slauson
Talking all them prices down before I take a shot of Sunset
I found my wallet and went to negotiate prices before I had a drink on Sunset Boulevard
We couldn't crush, we wasn't one yet
If the ones wasn't huggin' my block, cuffin' my knots
I could pull out my charriot, stop and just ride
I was still growing and becoming successful, and if people weren't supporting me, I'd still find a way to thrive
Uh, for all the bitches and the hoes and tricks
Ya, we brought it back so you don't forget
Dre day
Uh, Dre day
We're paying homage to Dr. Dre and his contribution to rap music by using the word 'bitches' and saying we never forgot about him on Dre day
Lyrics © DistroKid, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: James Prinzi, Katie Stump
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thekeishahustle
Blu will forever reign with these bars. Thankful!
@kalexpo336
This beat!!!
@MarvelousWesty
I have this album framed and hanging on my living room wall to remind me of this song and it's message. This track has helped me through some tough times, especially Phonte's verse.
@kimberlybush9087
MarvelousWesty yess! i agree phonte's verse is the best! he is so underrated.
@ellipsism42
Blu is quite frankly the most underrated rapper in the entire game. The connection he builds...
@jonathanbarnes7641
James Vane word!!!!
@89babay
Facts
@zinyle7618
Does anybody know what he’s up to these days has he released new projects lately? I found out about him back in 2011 and haven’t found any new stuff of his since then
@josukegappyhigashikata625
@Zinyle Tao if you’re still looking, listen to miles his newest album
@roaches23
He was great too bad he was a dickhead to Questlove and that ended his career at the mainstream