Blu (rapper)

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Johnson Barnes, better known as Blu, is an American rapper and producer ^[1] from San Pedro, California.^[2] He is best known for his debut album, Below the Heavens, which was produced entirely by one half of Emanon, Exile.

BiographyEdit

Johnson Barnes' stepfather was a pastor, and gospel and Christian rap were an influence while at school.^[2] Taking influence from Common, he turned from freestyle rhyming to crafting songs.^[2] In his early days in the music business, Johnson worked as a hype man for underground rap and soul artists such as Slum Village, Steve Spacek, Platinum Pied Pipers, and Emanon.^[2] He signed to Los Angeles independent label Sound in Color in 2004, choosing the label ahead of Interscope Records and Death Row Records.^[2] He contributed a few tracks to Exile's 2006 Dirty Science album, and self-pressed his debut Lifted EP in 2006.^[2] His debut album Below the Heavens was released in August 2007, Village Voice called it "one of the most thoughtful indie-rap releases in some time".^[3] Blu is also involved in several other projects including Johnson&Jonson (with Mainframe) and C.R.A.C. (with Ta'Raach).^[4]

Blu was named Rookie of the Year in 2007 by HipHopDX.^[5]

He was also named to XXL magazine's Top 10 Freshmen of 09'.^[6]

DiscographyEdit

AlbumsEdit

Solo

• TheGodleeBarnes LP (2010)
• NoYork! (2010)

With Exile

• Below the Heavens (as Blu & Exile) (2007) Sound in Color

With Ta'Raach

• The Piece Talks (as C.R.A.C. Knuckles) (2008) Tres

With Mainframe

• Johnson&Jonson (as Johnson&Jonson) (2008)
• J&J Is Dead (as Johnson&Jonson) (2010)

MixtapesEdit

• The C.O.R.E. Mixtape (2006)
• So(ul) Amazing by *DJ Heat (Unofficial) (2008)
• Blu: Drop The E (unofficial) (2008)
• "So(ul) Amazing 2" by *DJ Heat (Unofficial) (2009)
• HerFavoriteColo(u)r. (Official) (2009)
• "So(ul) Amazing Three" by *DJ Heat (Unofficial)
• Blu - Untaped [Mixtape] (2010)
• ParieArtNommee (Official) (2010)

SinglesEdit

• Get Lifted EP (2006)
• The Narrow Path with Exile (2007)
• "BeSene" EP (2008)(Blu & Sene as Patch Adams)
• NoSleepForADay EP (2009)

As ProducerEdit

• Sene - ADayLate&ADollarShort(2009)^[1]
• Open(theInstrumentalLP)ForTheHeadsWhoNeedBeats (2009)
• NoSleepForADay EP (2009)

Guest appearancesEdit

• "For Whom the Bell Tolls" from Evidence's The Layover EP (also featuring Phonte & Will.i.am)
• "Jazz (Tribute Remix)" from J Period's Q-Tip Mix Tape: The [Abstract] Best
• "Vibrate" from Dela's Changes in Atmosphere
• "Mars (Remix)" from Freddie Joachim's In With Time
• "Mars" from Dela's Atmosphere Airlines Vol. 2
• "Surrender" from Sepalot's "Red Handed"
• "Wonder Why" from Blame One's Days Chasing Days
• "Old Souls" from The Grouch & Eligh's Say G&E!
• "The Times" from Keelay & Zaire's Ridin High (also featuring Fortilive & Nino Moschella)
• "Get it Now" from Move.meant's The Scope of Things (also featuring Trek Life)
• "Smoke" from J Dilla's posthumous album Jay Stay Paid
• "Steel Remains" from Waxolutionists' We Paint Colors
• "Morgan Blu" from Tanya Morgan's Brooklynati
• "Hi(gh) Music" from Shingo Suzuki's The Abstract Truth
• "Samsonite Man" from Fashawn's Boy Meets World
• "Therapy" from Alchemist's "Chemical Warfare" (also featuring Evidence, Talib Kweli & Kid Cudi)
• "Pour Another Glass" from Presto's State of the Art
• "Hard Times" from Cadik's Basic
• "DreamLand" from Andy Allo's UnFresh
• "The Richers" from TiRon's MSTRD
• "Radio Daze" and "The Day" from The Roots' How I Got Over

ReferencesEdit

External linksEdit

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