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
k e e p u s h i n n .
Blu Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I said blu is really something special
Say look
Blu is really something special
Im popping like a corn go ahead and call me kettle
The pack is what I led like a tip of a pencil
Not coming off they neck bitch my foot is on the pedal
Like a sweater in the desert bitch I really am hot
Bitch im blucapz no cap I can really rap
They loving the color but I am no lover im cold hearted like a frapp
These rap bitches can't see my pen like sweety he gone tap in
You a clown baby you the joker but im not your harley Quinn
Bright baby blue benz you just a impala
Make him give me neck make that nigga give me real collar
Bitch I sparkle and I shine I got diamonds on my necklaces
This that new shit this that cool shit this that splat lil bitch
If a hoe swinging on me his best bet is not to miss
All these bitches sleeping on me anesthesiologist
They forget that im a brand alzheimers
Kill the flow with ease on the beat im michael myers
My shit is so wet I got more water than the divers
I can't argue with no bitch that be talking to minors
That shit just disgust me nine times out of ten they crusty
Nine times out ten they musty nine times out of ten they
If he lucky like a fortune then I might spin the wheel on em
Im on my rise and shine bacon oatmeal on em
I told these rappers stop trying you will never ever win the world cup
Cause if the color here then you are runner up
These bitches talking shit but they ain't running up
I told these rapper stop trying you will never ever win the World Cup
Cause if the color here then you are runner up
They talking shit but they ain't never running up
They wonder how I do these niggas so greasy
They wonder how I do this shit so easy
Blu-BiLLioN's song "H & H" is a rap track that showcases the rapper's exceptional abilities in his field. The lyrics for this song feature Blu's confident demeanor and his willingness to call out his peers' shortcomings. He begins the track by expressing how special he is and proceeds to list his achievements in staying ahead of his competitors. Blu describes his flow as popping like corn and refers to himself as the "kettle." He also states that he's always ahead of his game and that he won't take his foot off the pedal. His rhyming methodology is compared to the tip of a pencil.
Blu-BiLLioN insists that he's not a lover but a rapper with a cold heart, like a frapp. He challenges other rappers who try to undermine his skills by saying they can't see his pen, and he's not one to be messed with. Blu's lyrics talk about his valuable brand and how it can't be influenced by anyone. He compares his flow to Michael Myers, stating that he can kill it with ease. Blu concludes the lyrics by letting everyone know he's too advanced for them and that he effortlessly does what others can't.
Line by Line Meaning
Blu is really something special
Blu is unique and extraordinary
I said blu is really something special
I am reiterating that Blu is truly special
Say look
Listen closely, pay attention
Im popping like a corn go ahead and call me kettle
I am booming and thriving, approaching boiling point
The pack is what I led like a tip of a pencil
I am the leader of my own team, carving my way to success
Not coming off they neck bitch my foot is on the pedal
I will not back down or slow down, I am moving forward at full speed
Like a sweater in the desert bitch I really am hot
I am on fire, unstoppable and untouchable
Bitch you is my fan you just a blu mascot
You are simply a follower of my greatness, my loyal fan
Bitch im blucapz no cap I can really rap
I am a genuine rapper, and my name is Blucapz
They loving the color but I am no lover im cold hearted like a frapp
People are drawn to my style, but I am not one to show love easily
These rap bitches can't see my pen like sweety he gone tap in
Other female rappers cannot match up to my level of writing
You a clown baby you the joker but im not your Harley Quinn
You may be a jokester, but I am not here to play anyone's sidekick
Bright baby blue benz you just a impala
My car is striking blue, while yours is just a regular car
Make him give me neck make that nigga give me real collar
I demand respect and loyalty from my partners, not just empty words
Bitch I sparkle and I shine I got diamonds on my necklaces
I radiate glamour and beauty, with expensive jewelry to match
This that new shit this that cool shit this that splat lil bitch
This is innovative and trendy, a new sound that stands out
If a hoe swinging on me his best bet is not to miss
Anyone who comes at me with negative intentions better come prepared
All these bitches sleeping on me anesthesiologist
Other female rappers are underestimating my talent, they are putting themselves to sleep
They forget that im a brand alzheimers
They forget that I am not just a person, but a public image and a business
Kill the flow with ease on the beat im michael myers
I destroy the competition with ease, just like Michael Myers in the horror movies
My shit is so wet I got more water than the divers
My performance is so on point, it is as if I am dripping with talent
I can't argue with no bitch that be talking to minors
I refuse to engage in arguments with people who talk to underage kids
That shit just disgust me nine times out of ten they crusty
The idea of people talking to minors disgusts me, usually they are not trustworthy
Nine times out ten they musty nine times out of ten they
Most of the time, people who talk to minors are not clean or fresh
If he lucky like a fortune then I might spin the wheel on em
If someone is fortunate enough, I might take a chance on them and collaborate
Im on my rise and shine bacon oatmeal on em
I have a bright future ahead of me, with a versatile range of skills
I told these rappers stop trying you will never ever win the world cup
I am telling other rappers to give up trying to compete against me, they will never win
Cause if the color here then you are runner up
If you are not the center of attention or innovation, you are not the winner
These bitches talking shit but they ain't running up
Other female rappers may talk trash, but they will never step up to the challenge
They wonder how I do these niggas so greasy
They are curious about how easily I dominate and surpass other male rappers
They wonder how I do this shit so easy
They are amazed at how effortlessly I create and execute my music
Lyrics Š O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Ja'Cari Burks
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mindsight1
who produced this? blu goes hard and the beat is crazy. gave me shivers when i first heard this. i can't stop playing it.
heyimc8
He kKNOWS how to capture real emotion with beat and flow. What an artist.. .
Spike Spiegel
THIS TRACK HERE IS HIP HOP.. THANK YOU BLU FOR SPITTIN' THAT REAL SHIT
Shadeprint
Blu is a beast on the good god remix.
double
such a good song
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Fax
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Totally forgot about this song đ¤ŻđĽđĽđĽđĽđĽđĽđĽđĽđŞđŞđ
Maxx A
Y'all remember that video with this song that blu put out a while back?? That shit was ill.
Ryan Carlisle
Knxwledge, man. He rocks.
darkeclipse420
daww this song is the brave lil toaster ish 'keepthtup' knxwledge is one of my top fave producers