Blu (rapper)

Johnson Barnes III(born April 15, 1983), better known by his stage nameBlu,is an American rapper and record producer fromLos Angeles, California.He performs as one half of the duoBlu & Exile,which was formed in 2007 and whom released their debut studio album,Below the Heavensin July of that year.He is also the forefront member of the California-based collective, Dirty Science. He is recognized for his collaborative albums with record producers Mainframe, Ta'Raach, Bombay,Damu the Fudgemunk,Madlib,Nottz,and Union Analogtronics. Since his debut, he has had a productive standard of releasing multiple albums.

Blu
Barnes in 2013
Background information
Birth name	Johnson Barnes III
Born	(1983-04-15)April 15, 1983 Inglewood, California,U.S.
Genres	Hip hop alternative hip hop lo-fi West Coast hip hop
Occupations	Rapper songwriter record producer
Years active	2002–present
Labels	Dirty Science Fat Beats New World Color Sound in Color Nature Sounds Sire Warner Bros. Tres
Member of	All City Chess Club Blu & Exile C.R.A.C. Johnson&Jonson

Musical career

By age 19, Blu was selling out local shows at theKnitting Factory,House Of Blues,and headlining once a month at the Rumba Room onUniversal City Walk.Back then, he recorded with various rap groups such as the Ill Flava Crew, Infinite Legacy crew, The Untouchable Mob, Glory For The People, The LA Metro Crew and the Bridgetown Steel Crew. He was also a contestant on theMTVgame show, "Who Knows The Band" and won. Grammy award-winning producerMegahertzhad flown Blu out to New York to sign him to his new label after producing hits forJay-Z,R Kelly,P Diddy,Busta Rhymes,andNasbut eventually walked away from the deal. At age 20, he had started negotiating a record deal withDeath Row Recordsbut decided to independently release his first solo album titledCalifornia Soul(which would be re-released onto streaming platforms on January 1, 2024). It was produced by early collaborators L's and Bombay, and featured Bridgetown crew members Donel Smokes (Black Spade) andMiguel.

2005–2008:Below the Heavens,C.R.A.C. andJohnson&Jonson

Blu in 2008

After doing a feature for the group Science Project, Blu was introduced toAloe Blacc,who was also featured on the album. Aloe Blacc said he had heard a lot about Blu and said he should work with the DJ/producer of his groupEmanon,Exile.Exile came out to a Blu show, and afterwards invited him to be on his new compilation album entitled "Dirty Science" on Sound In Color Records. After hearing Blu on various compositions throughout Exile's album, "Sound In Color" signed Blu to a one-album deal and immediately began to feature him on various releases for the label. After working withOh No,and reaching out toJ DillaandMadlibfor production on his own album, Blu decided to have Exile produce his entire LP for Sound In Color. By the time the album was done, Blu had completed two other full-length albums, one with Detroit hip-hop rapper/producer Ta'Raach and with Sound In Color/Operation Unknown producer and CEO, Mainframe.

In 2006, Blu pressed up theLiftedEP and mixtape premiering various productions withExileand songs withJ DillaandKRS-One.While an opening act on a tour with Seattle-basedLifeSavasand Dallas-basedStrange Fruit Project,Blu discovered all three of his unreleased but fully completed full-length albums had leaked. The leak grew and crowds already knew his songs as he debuted them at each show for the rest of the tour. These three albums began to build a huge buzz online and caught the attention ofOkayplayer,as well as other sites likeHipHopDXand Nah Right, who all named him "Rookie Of The Year".The Exile-produced album was eventually released in 2007, entitledBelow the Heavens.However, since the label Sound in Color were almost bankrupt, only 7,000 copies of the album was pressed on CD, with no vinyl other than the single for the album, "The Narrow Path", which was also released in 2006. The label went bankrupt a few months later following the release.

In 2008, Blu & Ta'Raach released the album titledThe Piece Talksunder the moniker C.R.A.C. (or C.R.A.C. Knuckles).It was completely produced by Ta'Raach and featured Shawn Jackson, Noni Lomar, and Jazmin Mitchell. Originally sold on tour in 2005, the album included their hit single, "League Leaders" (The Friar cover) and the 6 inch single, "The King".

During that same year, Blu's album with Mainframe was released under the group nameJohnson&Jonson.It was produced by Mainframe with rapping by Blu (alongside some occasional rapping from Mainframe), as well as features fromGonja SufiandMiguel.It was promoted with a mixtape calledPowders & Oils,which consisted of a few more exclusive songs. All of Johnson&Jonson's music consisted of only loops and raps.

2008–2011: Production moniker GODlee Barnes andHer Favorite Colo(u)r

Blu in 2011

Blu used the production techniques he learned from working on albums withExile,Mainframe, and Ta'Raach and began to produce beats. He started working on a what was intended to be a self-produced follow up toBelow the Heavens.However, Blu's hard drive crashed, and the master files were lost; the album was eventually released in an unmixed and unmastered form, as a continuous mp3 file, in January 2010 under the titletheGODleeBarnesLP.Blu also showcased his production on a albums including the collaboration with Brooklyn rapper and actor Sene entitledA Day Late & A Dollar Shortand the instrumental albumOpen,which was later turned into a rap compilation of the same name, with various artists who rapped over the instrumental version of this album. Furthermore, Blu produced an album titledHer Favorite Colo(u)rfor himself, which was initially released for free download online after breaking up with his girlfriend. The album was officially released in 2011.

2009–2012: Sire/Warner Bros,York,Jesus,andGive Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them

In 2009, Blu signed an artist deal, an independent film deal, as well as a label deal for his company, New World Color, with Tom Whalley atWarner Bros. Records.He then began working on a movie and album calledNo York.The album would feature production from Los Angeles beat scene heavyweights such asFlying Lotus,SA-RA Creative Partners,Daedelus,Madlib,Knxwledge,Samiyam,and others. The film was to be written by Blu and directed by Khalil Joseph. Eventually, labelmates began to leave the label and all the A&R representatives began to lose their jobs. Then Tom Whalley was fired and the entire label was bought out. This took place over a year and a half and brought complete stagnation to any Warner Bros. releases.Def Jampresidents and A&R's were hired byLyor Cohen,andKyambo Joshuabecame Blu's A&R representative and creative director. After so much stagnation and no one being paid for contributions, Kyambo eventually helped Blu leave the label and release his music independently. However, promo copies ofNo Yorkwere pressed.

Blu then released a mixtape in celebration of his independence titledJesus,which was released under his imprint New World Color, in conjunction withNature Sounds Records.This album was recorded in two days, produced by Blu, and featuring production fromMadlib,Alchemist,Knxwledge,Hezekiahand Rome, as well as guest appearances fromPlanet Asia& Killer Ben ofDurag Dynasty.

During Blu's stay with Sire/Warner Bros, he was given 50 beats from Exile. Blu didn't feel the production would fit hisNo Yorkalbum, but found a bunch of old songs he wrote that had no beats. Blu recorded about 25 songs in two weeks to the Exile beats, which were later leaked online and eventually officially released under Dirty Science/Fat Beats, asBlu & Exile'sGive Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them.The album featured guest appearances fromFashawn,Dag Savage, andHomeboy Sandman.An instrumental version of the album was also released.

The demo songs for "No York" were released as an album titledYorkthrough New World Color. Recorded in New York and Los Angeles; and initially leaked in 2011, the album featured exclusive and previously released production fromFlying Lotus,SA-RA Creative Partners,Daedelus,Madlib,Knxwledge,Dibia$e,Samiyam,and Exile. It also featured vocals fromU-God,Edan,Theophilus London,SA-RA,J*Davey,Andy Also,Pac Div,UNI, Tiron, and Ayomari.Yorkwas toured along the West Coast with the live band, Koochie Monsters replaying all the songs from the album. A group with Ken Beats, co-producer ofYork,also spawned off under a group called Neu Ngz. They performed live but never released any material.

2013–2016:Good to Be Home,Bad Neighborand various projects with producers

After a lack of recently recorded albums in two years, Blu released a double album titledGood to Be Homein 2014, produced entirely by one of his earliest producers, Bombay.Released on Nature Sound Records, the album was inspired by Blu connecting back with his West Coast roots after touring the world; and features guest appearances fromProdigy,Planet Asia,Strong Arm Steady,Step Brothers,Chace Infinite,Imani,LMNO &2Mexfrom the Visionaries,MED,Oh No,Fashawn,Pac Div,Co$$, Definite Mass and many others.

Blu followed up with a collaboration album withMED,produced entirely byMadlibcalledBad Neighborwith features from Stones Throw alumniMF Doom,Aloe Blacc,Dam Funk,Anderson.Paak,Mayor Hawthorne,Frank Nitt and Oh No, as well asHodgyBeats (Odd Future),AMG,andPhonte.The album was promoted by a video and single for "Burgundy Whip" with Jimetta Rose back in 2013, and followed up with the single, "The Buzz" b/w "Peroxide" featuringDâm-Funk.The album was also released as instrumentals.

In 2013, Blu teamed up with infamous Virginia producerNottzfor the EPGods In The Spiritwhich featuredHomeboy Sandman,Aloe Blacc,Dag Savage, and many others. The EP was followed up in 2016 with another EP,Titans in the Fleshwhich featuredSkyzoo,Torae,Bishop Lamontand many others. Both EP's were released underCoalmine Records,with the 2018 re-releaseGods in the Spirit, Titans in the Fleshcompiling both EPs into a full-length album. Other projects from 2016 includedCrenshaw Jezebelwith Ray West,Cheetah in the Citywith French production duo Union Analogtronics; andOpen Your Optics to Optimismwith Fa†e. Blu also released45'swithAlchemistandThe 45 King.

In 2017, Blu & Exile celebrated the 10th anniversary ofBelow the Heavensat Regent Theater in Los Angeles, California, with a performance in its entirety with a live band.

2018–2022:The Blueprint,A Long Red Hot Los Angeles Summer Night,For SaleandThe Color Blu(e)

In March 2018, Blu released a mixtape exclusively on hisBandcamptitledThe DS Dumbstyle Mixtape, Volume One;which served as a compilation of songs Blu produced for various artists includingHomeboy Sandman,Sene, Roc C, ScienZe, Young RJ andMED.This was then followed up a month later by the albumThe Blueprint,which was entirely produced byShafiq Husayn.His project with Nottz titledGods in the Spirit, Titans in the Flesh,was also released the same year. In 2019, Blu teamed up with rapper/producerOh Noto releaseA Long Red Hot Los Angeles Summer Night,which served as a concept album based on underground life in Los Angeles.

2021 saw Blu not only release the Sirplus-produced EPFor Sale,but also his first multi-produced project since 2013'sYork:The Color Blu(e);which was released on September 24, 2021. Preceded by the singles "People Call Me Blu(e)" and "Because the Sky is Blu(e)" and featuring production fromExile,Sirplus andJ57,the project serves as a concept album that celebrates and reflects on Blu's creative journey, with the word "Blu(e)" being featured in every of the album's song titles.

2023–present: Projects with various producers and streaming reissues

In September 2023, Blu releasedBad News,a collaborative album with producer Real Bad Man, which featured guest appearances fromC.L. Smooth,Planet Asia,Cashus King, Donel Smokes and Definite. This was then followed up three months later by the albumAfrika,which was entirely produced byNottz,and served as a concept album based on the diasporic connection between African Americans and Africans.

The beginning of 2024 saw Blu reissue a number of projects onto streaming platforms, including his first projectCalifornia Soul,his unmastered self-produced albumGod is Goodand his producer compilation albumOpen.He also released a series of extra projects, that acted as accompanying bonus material to some of his albums, includingGod is Good (The Bonus Songs),Back Home Again(a compilation of outtakes from theGood to Be Homesessions) andOther Shades of Blu(e)(a compilation of outtakes fromThe Color Blu(e)sessions).

A month later, on February 9, Blu released his first official project of the yearRoyal Blu,which was entirely produced by underground producer Roy Royal. On March 29,Out of the Blue,which was produced by Shafiq Husayn and was a follow up to their mixtapeThe Blueprint,was released. His third project of the year,Los Angeles,was produced by rapper/producerEvidence,and was released on July 12.His fourth project of the year is theBlu & Exilealbum entitledLove (the) Ominous World,released on September 20, 2024.

Discography

See also:Blu & Exile discography

Studio albums

• California Soul(2003; officially re-released in 2024)
• Below the Heavens(withExile,asBlu & Exile)(2007)
• The Piece Talks(with Ta'Raach, as C.R.A.C.)(2008)
• Johnson&Jonson(with Mainframe, as Johnson&Jonson)(2008)
• TheGodleeBarnesLP(rereleased in 2021 as God is Good)(2010)
• Her Favorite Colo(u)r(2011)
• Jesus(2011)
• Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them(with Exile, as Blu & Exile)(2012)
• York(2013)
• Good to Be Home(with Bombay)(2014)
• Bad Neighbor(withMEDandMadlib)(2015)
• Cheetah in the City(with Union Analogtronics)(2016)
• Gods in the Spirit, Titans in the Flesh(withNottz)(2018)
• The Blueprint(with Shafiq Husayn)(2018)
• A Long Red Hot Los Angeles Summer Night(withOh No)(2019)
• True & Livin'(with Exile, as Blu & Exile)(2019)
• Ground & Water(withDamu The Fudgemunk)(2019)
• Miles(with Exile, as Blu & Exile)(2020)
• The Color Blu(e)(2021)
• Bad News(with Real Bad Man)(2023)
• Afrika(with Nottz)(2023)
• Royal Blu(with Roy Royal)(2024)
• Out of the Blue(with Shafiq Husayn)(2024)
• Los Angeles(withEvidence)(2024)
• Love (the) Ominous World(with Exile, as Blu & Exile)(2024)

Compilation albums

Title	Album details
In the Beginning (Before the Heavens)(withExile,asBlu & Exile)	Released: October 20, 2017 Label: Fat Beats, Dirty Science Format:CD,digital download

Mixtapes

Title	Album details
Soul Amazing Volume 1(with DJ Space Monkey)	Released: August 1, 2016 Label: Self-released Format:Digital download
Soul Amazing Volume 2(with NDJnous)	Released: August 2, 2016 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download
Soul Amazing Volume 3(with DJ Lowkey)	Released: August 3, 2016 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download
Soul Amazing Volume 4(with DJ Josh One)	Released: August 4, 2016 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download
Soul Amazing Volume 5(with Alchemist)	Released: August 5, 2016 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download
Soul Amazing Volume 6(with DJ Artistic)	Released: August 6, 2016 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download
Soul Amazing Volume 7(with DJ Lowkey LA)	Released: August 7, 2017 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download
The DS Dumb Style Mixtape(produced by Blu)	Released: January 1, 2018 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download
Soul Amazing Volume 8(with DJ PWC)	Released: July 13, 2019 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download
Soul Amazing Volume 9(with DJ Cristano)	Released: November 12, 2020 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download

EPs

Title	EP details
Gods in the Spirit(withNottz)	Released: June 10, 2014 Label: Coalmine Records Format:CD,digital download
Crenshaw Jezebel(with Ray West)	Released: March 25, 2016 Label: Red Apples 45 Format: Digital download,vinyl
Titans in the Flesh(withNottz)	Released: July 15, 2016 Label: Coalmine Format: Digital download, vinyl
Open Your Optics to Optimism(with Fate)	Released: October 17, 2016 Label: EveryDejaVu Format: Digital download, vinyl
The Turn Up(withMEDandMadlib)	Released: November 17, 2017 Label: Bang Ya Head Format: Digital download, vinyl
Underground Makes the World Go Round(withFat Jack)	Released: October 25, 2019 Label: The Order Label
The Narrative(withMickey FactzandNottz)	Released: August 20, 2021 Label: Soulspazm, SCHMTCS
Live from the End of the World, Vol. 1 (Demos)(with Fatlip)	Released: April 29, 2022 Label: Guilty by Association Format: Digital download
I(with Jabee)	Released: October 14, 2022 Label: Grand Union Media, Clerestory AV Format: Digital download

Singles

• "The Narrow Path" (2006)
• "Lemonade" (2011)
• "Cellnl's" (2011)
• "Amnesia" (2011)
• "The Buzz" b/w "Peroxide" (2013)(withMEDandMadlib)
• "The Clean Hand" (2013)
• "The West" (2014)
• "The Return" b/w "Thriller" (2015)
• "Kiss the Sky" (2015)

Guest appearances

• Tanya Morgan– "Morgan Blu" fromBrooklynati(2009)
• J. Dilla– "Smoke" fromJay Stay Paid(2009)
• Alchemist– "Therapy" fromChemical Warfare(2009)
• Fashawn– "Samsonite Man" fromBoy Meets World(2009)
• The Grouch&Eligh– "Old Souls" fromSay G&E!(2009)
• The Roots– "Radio Daze" and "The Day" fromHow I Got Over(2010)
• Exile– "When Nothing's Left" from4TRK Mind(2011)
• 9th Wonder– "Piranhas" fromThe Wonder Years(2011)
• MHz Legacy– "Yellow & Blue" fromMHz Legacy(2012)
• Danny!– "Misunderstood" fromPayback(2012)
• Pac Div– "Cross-Trainers" fromGMB(2012)
• Oh No– "Jones's" fromDisrupted Ads(2013)
• Roc Marciano– "Cut the Check" fromMarci Beaucoup(2013)
• Statik Selektah– "My Hoe" fromExtended Play(2013)
• Slum Village– "Let It Go" fromEvolution(2013)
• CunninLynguists– "The Morning" fromStrange Journey Volume Three(2014)
• Black Milk– "Leave the Bones Behind" fromIf There's a Hell Below(2014)
• Homeboy Sandman– "Loads" fromHallways(2014)
• Skyzoo&Torae– "Rediscover" fromBarrel Brothers(2014)
• Step Brothers– "Tomorrow" fromLord Steppington(2014)
• L'Orange&Kool Keith– "This New World" fromTime? Astonishing!(2015)
• Elliterate – "Games" fromCharlie Russell(2017)
• The Funk Junkie – "As Live As It Gets (Games Redux)" fromMoondirt(2017)
• Nolan The Ninja – "Lei$ure" fromYEN(2017)
• Tope ft. Abstract Rude – Faithful (2018)
• Vic Deal ft. Catt – "Changing" fromLa Costa Nostra(2020)
• Logic– "Orville" fromVinyl Days(2022)
• Open Mike Eagle– "The Wire S3 E1" fromAnother Triumph of Ghetto Engineering(2023)
• Heems– "Porches" fromLafandar(2024)

External links

• Bludiscography atDiscogs
• BluatAllMusic