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 Narrow Path
Blu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Traveling down this yellow brick road until it frees me
I need a pen, I need a pad, I need a place to go
To get this shit lifted off a my soul
Picture me sitting in front of eighty-eight keys trying to escape
From a shady place where babies blaze trees on a daily day
Tryna get they gravy straight to floss cause told me homey watch it
Where niggas pitch as quick as Nolan Ryan
Holding iron, blowing smoke, elope in fire, flame spitting
The game is just a way to escape
And our pain is just a way we can relate to folks crying
Finding ways I can make a difference
But fuck wishing on a star
Cause the percentage of getting what you envisioned is small
And the stars barely shine in the city, so we’re blinded
By the man-made bright lights, making my eyes shifty
Feel me out, hear me now, crying childs of the ghetto
Lettin' go a beautiful sound, it’s kinda falsetto
Hello hell, welcome to L.A. where devils that dwell play
They meddle with metal and letting every shell spray
Until day dawns, I make songs for the long road travelers
And lost souls after us
Spitting lyrics vicious like I’m mad as fuck
Packing up my bags, hopping back on the narrow path that’s planned for us
Tryna tell my folks that flowing ain't easy
Traveling down this yellow brick road until it frees me
I need a pen, I need a pad, I need a place to go
To get this shit lifted off a my soul
In this world that I'm living in
I've given into sex, stress, and dividends
Los Angeles, metropolis, city of vexed citizens
Folks that smoke infinite dope for hope living in
Poverty is probably the less stressed position to go
So we don’t have positions to hold
So we pitch snow and live in the cold in hell
In hell felling heaven is close
But like road kill I'm still on this road
Bold as any soldier playing his role
I stroll the streets in the cold
Even in the summer heat it gets cold
So we stroll with the heat and it's cold
It’s been a long troublesome road and I'm still traveling
Fuck battling, just managing life is challenging
Though I managed to make it
I damaged the places up in my mind
Like the times of Los Angeles greatest
Wasting time and lifespans fucking around
I'm spitting deep shit stuck underground
So just dig it, or don't fuck with it
Cause you can't fuck with it
Tryna tell my folks that flowing ain't easy
Traveling down this yellow brick road until it frees me
I need a pen, I need a pad, I need a place to go
To get this shit lifted off a my soul
Check it and I'll be playing Escapism by Pete Rock
Hot, watching police plot knocks to get my peeps locked
Smiling as my teeth rot from eating sugar coated quotes
Smoking dope to float away, but hey
The air is nice up there
I swear the feeling's good as chilling with a nice cold beer
We fallen angels rocking halo's like it's priced up gear
And if you need me, just ring me, shit I'll be right up here
Where fear is non-existent
Instead of drifting in a prison, where my mind's restricted
Where my Mom is wishing trying to get her broken promise mended
I'm training to be a seamstress, sewing holes that dreams fit
Fiends bring broken clocks, tryna get their dreams fixed
Ticking, itching, tocking watching, God is watching you
But you rather have a watch with lots of diamonds I've been fooled
By the word a few times, who cares if Blu rhymes
About hoes or saving souls, they wanna hear that beat ride
I rewind and try to play back the days that they would play stacks
Of 8-tracks to recline, now we blaze sacks
Taking back the feeling hidden in me when we used to smile, remember that
It's been a while, so I'm blowing off the dust
Brushing dirt up off my nutts, got this feeling in my gut
Im tryna let it out so if you with me then listen up, listen
Listen up cause uh, I got this feeling in my gut
What the fuck
Tryna tell my folks that flowing ain't easy
Travelling down this yellow brick road until it frees me
I need a pen, I need a pad, I need a place to go
To get this shit lifted off a my soul
The lyrics of Blu & Exile's "The Narrow Path" address the struggles and hardships faced by the people living in Los Angeles. The song describes the difficulties faced by those who try to make a living in the city, including drug dealing, poverty, and crime. The artists talk about their own personal experiences, including sitting in front of the piano trying to escape from their surroundings and how writing and music help lift their souls. They also talk about the challenges of pursuing a dream while living in a society that places little value on artistic expression.
The song's title, "The Narrow Path," refers to the journey many people go through in life to pursue their dreams, which is often difficult and requires sacrifice. The metaphorical yellow brick road represents the obstacles and challenges they must face in order to succeed. Despite the struggles, the artists recognize the importance of staying true to themselves and their art, regardless of whether or not they receive mainstream recognition.
Overall, the song's message is one of perseverance and hope in the face of adversity. The artists encourage listeners to stay on their own narrow path, to pursue their dreams and not lose faith in themselves, despite the obstacles that may stand in their way.
Line by Line Meaning
Tryna tell my folks that flowing ain't easy
I'm trying to explain to my community that rapping is difficult
Traveling down this yellow brick road until it frees me
I'm on a journey, like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, hoping it will lead to freedom
I need a pen, I need a pad, I need a place to go
I require a writing utensil, paper, and a safe space to express my thoughts
To get this shit lifted off a my soul
I want to release the burden from my heart through writing and rapping
Picture me sitting in front of eighty-eight keys trying to escape
Imagine me playing the piano in an attempt to escape from a difficult situation
From a shady place where babies blaze trees on a daily day
I come from a neighborhood where young children smoke weed regularly
Tryna get they gravy straight to floss cause told me homey watch it
They want to earn money to show off and impress others, but I've warned them to be careful
These ladies play dirty games with you get to grinding
Women can be manipulative and deceitful when they see a man with potential
Where niggas pitch as quick as Nolan Ryan
Some people in my area sell drugs as fast as a legendary baseball pitcher throws
Holding iron, blowing smoke, elope in fire, flame spitting
Carrying guns, smoking, and speaking in a fiery, aggressive manner
The game is just a way to escape
Rap and the drug trade are ways to escape the harsh reality of our lives
And our pain is just a way we can relate to folks crying
Our shared struggles and suffering allow us to empathize with others who are hurting
Finding ways I can make a difference
I'm trying to find ways to positively impact my community
But fuck wishing on a star
I don't believe in relying solely on luck to achieve my goals
Cause the percentage of getting what you envisioned is small
The likelihood of achieving one's dreams is low
And the stars barely shine in the city, so we’re blinded
There is too much light pollution in the city to see the stars clearly
By the man-made bright lights, making my eyes shifty
The artificial lights of the city make me uneasy
Feel me out, hear me now, crying childs of the ghetto
Listen to my message, young people from impoverished neighborhoods
Lettin' go a beautiful sound, it’s kinda falsetto
I'm expressing myself through singing in an unusually high voice
Hello hell, welcome to L.A. where devils that dwell play
Los Angeles is a city with many dangerous people who thrive in its broken systems
They meddle with metal and letting every shell spray
They use guns to kill and harm others
Until day dawns, I make songs for the long road travelers
I create music for those who are on a long journey of life
And lost souls after us
And for those who come after us, who may also feel lost
Spitting lyrics vicious like I’m mad as fuck
I'm rapping with intensity and anger
Packing up my bags, hopping back on the narrow path that’s planned for us
I'm preparing to continue on a difficult journey that has been laid out for me
In this world that I'm living in
I'm existing in a difficult environment
I've given into sex, stress, and dividends
I've indulged in sexual activity, anxiety, and financial gain
Los Angeles, metropolis, city of vexed citizens
Los Angeles is a large, stressful city with unhappy people
Folks that smoke infinite dope for hope living in
People consume large amounts of drugs to cope with their difficult lives
Poverty is probably the less stressed position to go
Being poor has less pressure and stress than trying to make it in drug dealing
So we don’t have positions to hold
We don't have legitimate jobs to rely on
So we pitch snow and live in the cold in hell
We sell drugs and live in dangerous, uncomfortable situations
In hell felling heaven is close
Despite the hardships of life, we can still see a glimmer of hope and positivity
But like road kill I'm still on this road
Despite obstacles, I'm still traveling on the path I've been given
Bold as any soldier playing his role
I'm brave and dedicated to fulfilling the purpose I believe I have
I stroll the streets in the cold
I walk around in the dangerous, cold streets
Even in the summer heat it gets cold
The city's environment creates a sense of coldness and discomfort even in warm weather
So we stroll with the heat and it's cold
We carry guns to protect ourselves and stay warm
It’s been a long troublesome road and I'm still traveling
I've been on a difficult journey for a long time and I'm still going
Fuck battling, just managing life is challenging
I'm not interested in fighting with others, just trying to manage my own life challenges
Though I managed to make it
Despite the obstacles, I've found a way to survive
I damaged the places up in my mind
My traumatic experiences have left lasting harm on my mental state
Like the times of Los Angeles greatest
Like the heyday of Los Angeles in the past
Wasting time and lifespans fucking around
We're wasting precious time and our lives engaging in negative activities
I'm spitting deep shit stuck underground
I'm rapping with substance and depth, but it's not getting attention or recognition
So just dig it, or don't fuck with it
Either appreciate and understand my message or leave it alone
Cause you can't fuck with it
My art and message are too powerful to be dismissed or ignored
Check it and I'll be playing Escapism by Pete Rock
Listen to me play a song called Escapism by Pete Rock
Hot, watching police plot knocks to get my peeps locked
Police are trying to arrest my friends, and I have to be careful
Smiling as my teeth rot from eating sugar coated quotes
I'm being deceived by false promises and lies, to the detriment of my health
Smoking dope to float away, but hey
I'm using drugs to escape reality
The air is nice up there
The feeling of being high is pleasant
I swear the feeling's good as chilling with a nice cold beer
The high from drugs rivals the satisfaction of drinking a cold beer
We fallen angels rocking halo's like it's priced up gear
Despite our mistakes and wrongdoings, we still consider ourselves to be special
And if you need me, just ring me, shit I'll be right up here
If you require my assistance, call me and I'll be there
Where fear is non-existent
In my presence, there is no fear
Instead of drifting in a prison, where my mind's restricted
Rather than being trapped in a negative mindset, I'm freeing myself through music
Where my Mom is wishing trying to get her broken promise mended
My mother is hoping for a better life and for promises to be kept
I'm training to be a seamstress, sewing holes that dreams fit
I'm working hard to make impossible dreams become realities
Fiends bring broken clocks, tryna get their dreams fixed
People with addictions bring broken items in hopes of getting them fixed, as if it will fix their lives
Ticking, itching, tocking watching, God is watching you
Time is running out and problems are becoming more urgent, and there is a sense of being watched by a higher power
But you rather have a watch with lots of diamonds I've been fooled
People are willing to spend money on frivolous things instead of investing in what really matters
By the word a few times, who cares if Blu rhymes
People have only listened to a few of my songs and don't care about the quality of my lyrics
About hoes or saving souls, they wanna hear that beat ride
Listeners care more about the sound of the music than the message being conveyed
I rewind and try to play back the days that they would play stacks
I reminisce about the time when music had more substance and was appreciated more
Of 8-tracks to recline, now we blaze sacks
We used to listen to music on 8-track tapes, now we smoke weed
Taking back the feeling hidden in me when we used to smile, remember that
Trying to reclaim a sense of happiness that has been lost
It's been a while, so I'm blowing off the dust
It's been a long time since I've felt that happiness, so I'm trying to get back to it
Brushing dirt up off my nutts, got this feeling in my gut
I'm cleaning myself off and feeling a sense of determination in my stomach
Im tryna let it out so if you with me then listen up, listen
I'm trying to express this feeling through my music, and if you understand it, then listen closely
Listen up cause uh, I got this feeling in my gut
Pay attention to my message because I feel it is important
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jessecato8681
When this song starts playing you know you're in for a good hour of Blu & Ex
@festeelerfan
This might be the most slept-on album of all time...also might be in my top 20 favorites, which is pretty damn impressive
@highlybaked8417
Ive been saying this for years since i found it. Absolute classic
@festeelerfan
@HighlyBaked Idk what I was smoking 7 years ago. Below the Heavens is my favorite album of all time by far lol.
@metaphyziks7579
I don’t care what no one say this album still holds its weight one of my favorites
@Onumber16
His delivery was flawless on this album great work all across the board
@Ty-ry6qq
Can't believe I slept on this... got that nostalgic sound that keeps the heart beating.
@jamalconnor6551
I absolutly agree!! one of the most slept on albums of all time!.. im a certified hiphop head from back in the day, and this kid is sick!! every track is hot.. keep grinding blu.. from a fellow long road traveler.. hip hop!!
@MarvillousBeats
Such a classic record. I remember when I first found it back in 07 by accident. Wildly inspiring.
@Johnislacy
It’s nothin short of amazing how as slept on as this man’s music was, this one song along saved my damn life thank you blu dude 🤝