# Blu (rapper) > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Blu_(rapper) > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Blu_(rapper).md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu_(rapper) > Source revision: 1357143554 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) American rapper (born 1983) This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages) This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (June 2019) This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous. Find sources: "Blu" rapper – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (October 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Blu Barnes in 2013 Background information Born Johnson Barnes III (1983-04-15) April 15, 1983 (age 43)[1] Inglewood, California, U.S.[1] 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 Signature Musical artist **Johnson Barnes III** (born April 15, 1983),[1] better known by his stage name **Blu**, is an American rapper and record producer from [Los Angeles, California](/source/Los_Angeles_California). He performs as one half of the duo [Blu & Exile](/source/Blu_%26_Exile), which was formed in 2007 and who released their debut studio album, *[Below the Heavens](/source/Below_the_Heavens)* in July of that year.[2] 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](/source/Damu_the_Fudgemunk), [Madlib](/source/Madlib), [Nottz](/source/Nottz), and Union Analogtronics. Since his debut, he has had a productive standard of releasing multiple albums. ## Musical career By age 19, Blu was selling out local shows at the [Knitting Factory](/source/Knitting_Factory), [House Of Blues](/source/House_of_Blues), and headlining once a month at the Rumba Room on [Universal City Walk](/source/Universal_CityWalk). 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 the [MTV](/source/MTV) game show, "Who Knows The Band" and won. Grammy award-winning producer [Megahertz](/source/Megahertz_(record_producer)) had flown Blu out to New York to sign him to his new label after producing hits for [Jay-Z](/source/Jay_Z), [R Kelly](/source/R._Kelly), [P Diddy](/source/Sean_Combs), [Busta Rhymes](/source/Busta_Rhymes), and [Nas](/source/Nas) but eventually walked away from the deal. At age 20, he had started negotiating a record deal with [Death Row Records](/source/Death_Row_Records)[1][3] but decided to independently release his first solo album titled *California 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) and [Miguel](/source/Miguel_(singer)). ### 2005–2008: *Below the Heavens*, C.R.A.C. and *Johnson&Jonson* Blu in 2008 After doing a feature for the group Science Project, Blu was introduced to [Aloe Blacc](/source/Aloe_Blacc),[4] 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 group [Emanon](/source/Emanon), [Exile](/source/Exile_(producer)). 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 with [Oh No](/source/Oh_No_(musician)), and reaching out to [J Dilla](/source/J_Dilla) and [Madlib](/source/Madlib) for 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.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] In 2006, Blu pressed up the *Lifted* EP and mixtape premiering various productions with [Exile](/source/Exile_(producer)) and songs with [J Dilla](/source/J_Dilla) and [KRS-One](/source/KRS-One). While an opening act on a tour with Seattle-based [LifeSavas](/source/Lifesavas) and Dallas-based [Strange Fruit Project](/source/Strange_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 of [Okayplayer](/source/Okayplayer), as well as other sites like [HipHopDX](/source/HipHopDX) and Nah Right, who all named him "Rookie Of The Year".[5] The Exile-produced album was eventually released in 2007, entitled *[Below the Heavens](/source/Below_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.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] In 2008, Blu & Ta'Raach released the album titled *[The Piece Talks](/source/The_Piece_Talks)* under the moniker C.R.A.C. (or C.R.A.C. Knuckles).[6] 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".[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] During that same year, Blu's album with Mainframe was released under the group name [Johnson&Jonson](/source/Johnson%26Jonson).[7] It was produced by Mainframe with rapping by Blu (alongside some occasional rapping from Mainframe), as well as features from [Gonja Sufi](/source/Gonjasufi) and [Miguel](/source/Miguel_(singer)). It was promoted with a mixtape called *Powders & Oils*, which consisted of a few more exclusive songs. All of Johnson&Jonson's music consisted of only loops and raps.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] ### 2008–2011: Production moniker GODlee Barnes and *Her Favorite Colo(u)r* Blu in 2011 Blu used the production techniques he learned from working on albums with [Exile](/source/Exile_(producer)), Mainframe, and Ta'Raach and began to produce beats. He started working on a what was intended to be a self-produced follow up to *Below 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 title *theGODleeBarnesLP*. Blu also showcased his production on a albums including the collaboration with Brooklyn rapper and actor Sene entitled *A Day Late & A Dollar Short* and the instrumental album *Open*, 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 titled *Her Favorite Colo(u)r* for himself, which was initially released for free download online after breaking up with his girlfriend. The album was officially released in 2011.[8] ### 2009–2012: Sire/Warner Bros, *York*, *Jesus*, and *Give 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 at [Warner Bros. Records](/source/Warner_Bros._Records).[9] He then began working on a movie and album called *No York*. The album would feature production from Los Angeles beat scene heavyweights such as [Flying Lotus](/source/Flying_Lotus), [SA-RA Creative Partners](/source/Sa-Ra), [Daedelus](/source/Daedelus_(musician)), [Madlib](/source/Madlib), [Knxwledge](/source/Knxwledge), [Samiyam](/source/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 Jam](/source/Def_Jam_Recordings) presidents and A&R's were hired by [Lyor Cohen](/source/Lyor_Cohen), and [Kyambo Joshua](/source/Kyambo_Joshua) became 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 of *No York* were pressed. Blu then released a mixtape in celebration of his independence titled *[Jesus](/source/Jesus_(Blu_album))*, which was released under his imprint New World Color, in conjunction with [Nature Sounds Records](/source/Nature_Sounds_Records). This album was recorded in two days, produced by Blu, and featuring production from [Madlib](/source/Madlib), [Alchemist](/source/The_Alchemist_(musician)), [Knxwledge](/source/Knxwledge), [Hezekiah](/source/Hezekiah_(rapper)) and Rome, as well as guest appearances from [Planet Asia](/source/Planet_Asia) & Killer Ben of [Durag Dynasty](/source/Durag_Dynasty). During Blu's stay with Sire/Warner Bros, he was given 50 beats from Exile. Blu didn't feel the production would fit his *No York* album, 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, as [Blu & Exile](/source/Blu_%26_Exile)'s *[Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them](/source/Give_Me_My_Flowers_While_I_Can_Still_Smell_Them)*.[10] The album featured guest appearances from [Fashawn](/source/Fashawn), Dag Savage, and [Homeboy Sandman](/source/Homeboy_Sandman). An instrumental version of the album was also released. The demo songs for "No York" were released as an album titled *[York](/source/York_(album))* through New World Color. Recorded in New York and Los Angeles; and initially leaked in 2011, the album featured exclusive and previously released production from [Flying Lotus](/source/Flying_Lotus), [SA-RA Creative Partners](/source/Sa-Ra), [Daedelus](/source/Daedelus_(musician)), [Madlib](/source/Madlib), [Knxwledge](/source/Knxwledge), Dibia$e, [Samiyam](/source/Samiyam), and Exile. It also featured vocals from [U-God](/source/U-God), [Edan](/source/Edan_(musician)), [Theophilus London](/source/Theophilus_London), [SA-RA](/source/Sa-Ra), [J*Davey](/source/J*Davey), Andy Also, [Pac Div](/source/Pac_Div), UNI, Tiron, and Ayomari. *York* was 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 of *York*, also spawned off under a group called Neu Ngz. They performed live but never released any material. ### 2013–2016: *Good to Be Home*, *Bad Neighbor* and various projects with producers After a lack of recently recorded albums in two years, Blu released a double album titled *[Good to Be Home](/source/Good_to_Be_Home)* in 2014, produced entirely by one of his earliest producers, Bombay.[11] 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 from [Prodigy](/source/Prodigy_(rapper)), [Planet Asia](/source/Planet_Asia), [Strong Arm Steady](/source/Strong_Arm_Steady), [Step Brothers](/source/Step_Brothers_(duo)), Chace Infinite, [Imani](/source/Imani_(rapper)), LMNO & [2Mex](/source/2Mex) from the Visionaries, [MED](/source/MED_(rapper)), [Oh No](/source/Oh_No_(musician)), [Fashawn](/source/Fashawn), [Pac Div](/source/Pac_Div), Co$$, Definite Mass and many others. Blu followed up with a collaboration album with [MED](/source/MED_(rapper)), produced entirely by [Madlib](/source/Madlib) called *[Bad Neighbor](/source/Bad_Neighbor_(album))*[12] with features from Stones Throw alumni [MF Doom](/source/MF_Doom), [Aloe Blacc](/source/Aloe_Blacc), [Dam Funk](/source/D%C3%A2m-Funk), [Anderson .Paak](/source/Anderson_.Paak), [Mayor Hawthorne](/source/Mayer_Hawthorne), Frank Nitt and Oh No, as well as [Hodgy](/source/Hodgy) Beats ([Odd Future](/source/Odd_Future)), [AMG](/source/AMG_(rapper)), and [Phonte](/source/Phonte). 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" featuring [Dâm-Funk](/source/D%C3%A2m-Funk). The album was also released as instrumentals. In 2013, Blu teamed up with infamous Virginia producer [Nottz](/source/Nottz) for the EP *[Gods In The Spirit](/source/Gods_in_the_Spirit)* which featured [Homeboy Sandman](/source/Homeboy_Sandman), [Aloe Blacc](/source/Aloe_Blacc), Dag Savage, and many others. The EP was followed up in 2016 with another EP, *Titans in the Flesh*[13] which featured [Skyzoo](/source/Skyzoo), [Torae](/source/Torae), [Bishop Lamont](/source/Bishop_Lamont) and many others. Both EP's were released under [Coalmine Records](/source/Coalmine_Records), with the 2018 re-release *Gods in the Spirit, Titans in the Flesh* compiling both EPs into a full-length album. Other projects from 2016 included *Crenshaw Jezebel* with Ray West, *Cheetah in the City* with French production duo Union Analogtronics; and *Open Your Optics to Optimism* with Fa†e. Blu also released [45's](/source/Single_(music)) with [Alchemist](/source/The_Alchemist_(musician)) and [The 45 King](/source/The_45_King). In 2017, Blu & Exile celebrated the 10th anniversary of *[Below the Heavens](/source/Below_the_Heavens)* at 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 Sale* and *The Color Blu(e)* In March 2018, Blu released a mixtape exclusively on his [Bandcamp](/source/Bandcamp) titled *The DS Dumbstyle Mixtape, Volume One*; which served as a compilation of songs Blu produced for various artists including [Homeboy Sandman](/source/Homeboy_Sandman), Sene, Roc C, ScienZe, Young RJ and [MED](/source/MED_(rapper)).[14] This was then followed up a month later by the album *The Blueprint*, which was entirely produced by [Shafiq Husayn](/source/Shafiq_Husayn).[15] His project with Nottz titled *Gods in the Spirit, Titans in the Flesh*, was also released the same year. In 2019, Blu teamed up with rapper/producer [Oh No](/source/Oh_No_(musician)) to release *A 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 EP *For Sale*, but also his first multi-produced project since 2013's [York](/source/York_(album)): *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 from [Exile](/source/Exile_(producer)), Sirplus and [J57](/source/J57_(rapper)), 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 released *Bad News*, a collaborative album with producer Real Bad Man, which featured guest appearances from [C.L. Smooth](/source/CL_Smooth), [Planet Asia](/source/Planet_Asia), Cashus King, Donel Smokes and Definite. This was then followed up three months later by the album *Afrika*, which was entirely produced by [Nottz](/source/Nottz), and served as a concept album based on the diasporic connection between African Americans and Africans.[16] The beginning of 2024 saw Blu reissue a number of projects onto streaming platforms, including his first project *California Soul*, his unmastered self-produced album *God is Good* and his producer compilation album *Open*. He also released a series of extra projects, that acted as accompanying bonus material to some of his albums, including *God is Good (The Bonus Songs)*, *Back Home Again* (a compilation of outtakes from the *[Good to Be Home](/source/Good_to_Be_Home)* sessions) and *Other Shades of Blu(e)* (a compilation of outtakes from *The Color Blu(e)* sessions). A month later, on February 9, Blu released his first official project of the year *Royal 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 mixtape *The Blueprint*, was released. His third project of the year, *Los Angeles*, was produced by rapper/producer [Evidence](/source/Evidence_(musician)), and was released on July 12.[17] His fourth project of the year is the [Blu & Exile](/source/Blu_%26_Exile) album entitled *Love (the) Ominous World*, released on September 20, 2024.[18] ## Discography See also: [Blu & Exile discography](/source/Blu_%26_Exile#Discography) ### Studio albums - *California Soul* (2003; officially re-released in 2024) - *[Below the Heavens](/source/Below_the_Heavens)* (with [Exile](/source/Exile_(producer)), as [Blu & Exile](/source/Blu_%26_Exile)) (2007) - *[The Piece Talks](/source/The_Piece_Talks)* (with Ta'Raach, as C.R.A.C.) (2008) - *[Johnson&Jonson](/source/Johnson%26Jonson)* (with Mainframe, as Johnson&Jonson) (2008) - *A Day Late & A Dollar Short* (with Sene) (2009) - *[TheGodleeBarnesLP](/source/TheGodleeBarnesLP)* (rereleased in 2021 as God is Good) (2010) - *Her Favorite Colo(u)r* (2011) - *[Jesus](/source/Jesus_(Blu_album))* (2011) - *[Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them](/source/Give_Me_My_Flowers_While_I_Can_Still_Smell_Them)* (with Exile, as Blu & Exile) (2012) - *[York](/source/York_(album))* (2013) - *[Good to Be Home](/source/Good_to_Be_Home)* (with Bombay) (2014) - *[Bad Neighbor](/source/Bad_Neighbor_(album))* (with [M.E.D.](/source/M.E.D._(rapper)) and [Madlib](/source/Madlib)) (2015) - *Cheetah in the City* (with Union Analogtronics) (2016) - *Gods in the Spirit, Titans in the Flesh* (with [Nottz](/source/Nottz)) (2018) - *The Blueprint* (with Shafiq Husayn) (2018) - *A Long Red Hot Los Angeles Summer Night* (with [Oh No](/source/Oh_No_(musician))) (2019) - *Ground & Water* (with [Damu The Fudgemunk](/source/Damu_The_Fudgemunk)) (2019) - *[Miles](/source/Miles%3A_From_an_Interlude_Called_Life)* (with Exile, as Blu & Exile) (2020) - *The Color Blu(e)* (2021) - *Bad News* (with Real Bad Man) (2023) - *Live from the End of the World* (with Fatlip) (2023) - *Live from the End of the World (Deluxe)* (with Fatlip) (2023) - *Afrika* (with Nottz) (2023) - *Royal Blu* (with Roy Royal) (2024) - *Out of the Blue* (with Shafiq Husayn) (2024) - *[Los Angeles](/source/Los_Angeles_(Blu_and_Evidence_album))* (with [Evidence](/source/Evidence_(musician))) (2024) - *Love (the) Ominous World* (with Exile, as Blu & Exile) (2024) - *Forty* (with August Fanon) (2025) - *God Takes Care of Babies & Fools* (with [Myka 9](/source/Myka_9) and Mono En Stereo) (2025) - *Time Heals Everything* (with [Exile](/source/Exile_(producer)), as [Blu & Exile](/source/Blu_%26_Exile)) (2026) ### Compilation albums Title Album details In the Beginning (Before the Heavens) (with Exile, as Blu & 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)[19] Released: August 1, 2016 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download Soul Amazing Volume 2 (with NDJnous)[20] Released: August 2, 2016 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download Soul Amazing Volume 3 (with DJ Lowkey)[21] Released: August 3, 2016 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download Soul Amazing Volume 4 (with DJ Josh One)[22] Released: August 4, 2016 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download Soul Amazing Volume 5 (with Alchemist)[23] Released: August 5, 2016 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download Soul Amazing Volume 6 (with DJ Artistic)[24] Released: August 6, 2016 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download Soul Amazing Volume 7 (with DJ Lowkey LA)[25] Released: August 7, 2017 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download The DS Dumb Style Mixtape (produced by Blu)[26] Released: January 1, 2018 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download Soul Amazing Volume 8 (with DJ PWC)[27] Released: July 13, 2019 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download Soul Amazing Volume 9 (with DJ Cristano)[28] Released: November 12, 2020 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download ### EPs Title EP details Gods in the Spirit (with Nottz)[29] Released: June 10, 2014 Label: Coalmine Records Format: CD, digital download Crenshaw Jezebel (with Ray West)[30] Released: March 25, 2016 Label: Red Apples 45 Format: Digital download, vinyl Titans in the Flesh (with Nottz)[29] Released: July 15, 2016 Label: Coalmine Format: Digital download, vinyl Open Your Optics to Optimism (with Fate)[31] Released: October 17, 2016 Label: EveryDejaVu Format: Digital download, vinyl The Turn Up (with MED and Madlib) Released: November 17, 2017 Label: Bang Ya Head Format: Digital download, vinyl True & Livin' (with Exile as Blu & Exile) Released: May 24, 2019 Label: Dirty Science Format: Digital download Underground Makes the World Go Round (with Fat Jack) Released: October 25, 2019 Label: The Order Label The Narrative (with Mickey Factz and Nottz) 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) (with [MED](/source/MED_(rapper)) and [Madlib](/source/Madlib)) - "The Clean Hand" (2013) - "The West" (2014) - "The Return" b/w "Thriller" (2015) - "Kiss the Sky" (2015) ### Guest appearances - [Tanya Morgan](/source/Tanya_Morgan) – "Morgan Blu" from *[Brooklynati](/source/Brooklynati)* (2009) - [J. Dilla](/source/J._Dilla) – "Smoke" from *[Jay Stay Paid](/source/Jay_Stay_Paid)* (2009) - [Alchemist](/source/The_Alchemist_(musician)) – "Therapy" from *[Chemical Warfare](/source/Chemical_Warfare_(The_Alchemist_album))* (2009) - [Fashawn](/source/Fashawn) – "Samsonite Man" from *[Boy Meets World](/source/Boy_Meets_World_(album))* (2009) - [The Grouch](/source/The_Grouch_(rapper)) & [Eligh](/source/Eligh) – "Old Souls" from *[Say G&E!](/source/Say_G%26E!)* (2009) - [The Roots](/source/The_Roots) – "Radio Daze" and "The Day" from *[How I Got Over](/source/How_I_Got_Over_(album))* (2010) - [Exile](/source/Exile_(producer)) – "When Nothing's Left" from *[4TRK Mind](/source/4TRK_Mind)* (2011) - [9th Wonder](/source/9th_Wonder) – "Piranhas" from *[The Wonder Years](/source/The_Wonder_Years_(9th_Wonder_album))* (2011) - [MHz Legacy](/source/MHz_Legacy) – "Yellow & Blue" from *[MHz Legacy](/source/MHz_Legacy_(album))* (2012) - [Danny!](/source/Danny!) – "Misunderstood" from *[Payback](/source/Payback_(album))* (2012) - [Pac Div](/source/Pac_Div) – "Cross-Trainers" from *[GMB](/source/GMB_(album))* (2012) - [Oh No](/source/Oh_No_(musician)) – "Jones's" from *[Disrupted Ads](/source/Disrupted_Ads)* (2013) - [Roc Marciano](/source/Roc_Marciano) – "Cut the Check" from *[Marci Beaucoup](/source/Marci_Beaucoup)* (2013) - [Statik Selektah](/source/Statik_Selektah) – "My Hoe" from *[Extended Play](/source/Extended_Play_(Statik_Selektah_album))* (2013) - [Slum Village](/source/Slum_Village) – "Let It Go" from *[Evolution](/source/Evolution_(Slum_Village_album))* (2013) - [CunninLynguists](/source/CunninLynguists) – "The Morning" from *[Strange Journey Volume Three](/source/Strange_Journey_Volume_Three)* (2014) - [Black Milk](/source/Black_Milk) – "Leave the Bones Behind" from *[If There's a Hell Below](/source/If_There's_a_Hell_Below)* (2014) - [Homeboy Sandman](/source/Homeboy_Sandman) – "Loads" from *[Hallways](/source/Hallways_(album))* (2014) - [Skyzoo](/source/Skyzoo) & [Torae](/source/Torae) – "Rediscover" from *[Barrel Brothers](/source/Barrel_Brothers)* (2014) - [Step Brothers](/source/Step_Brothers_(duo)) – "Tomorrow" from *[Lord Steppington](/source/Lord_Steppington)* (2014) - [L'Orange](/source/L'Orange_(record_producer)) & [Kool Keith](/source/Kool_Keith) – "This New World" from *[Time? Astonishing!](/source/Time%3F_Astonishing!)* (2015) - Elliterate – "Games" from *Charlie Russell* (2017) - The Funk Junkie – "As Live As It Gets (Games Redux)" from *Moondirt* (2017) - Nolan The Ninja – "Lei$ure" from *YEN* (2017) - Tope ft. Abstract Rude – Faithful (2018) - Vic Deal ft. Catt – "Changing" from *La Costa Nostra* (2020) - [Logic](/source/Logic_(rapper)) – "Orville" from *[Vinyl Days](/source/Vinyl_Days)* (2022) - [Open Mike Eagle](/source/Open_Mike_Eagle) – "The Wire S3 E1" from *[Another Triumph of Ghetto Engineering](/source/Another_Triumph_of_Ghetto_Engineering)* (2023) - Strange Dust - "Mood" from *Strange Company* (2024) - [Heems](/source/Heems) – "Porches" from *[Lafandar](/source/Lafandar)* (2024) - [McKinley Dixon](/source/McKinley_Dixon) - "Could've Been Different" from *[Magic, Alive!](/source/Magic%2C_Alive!)* (2025) - [Po3](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Po3&action=edit&redlink=1) feat. [Blu](/source/Blu) — “Déjà Vu” (2026) ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-allmusic_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-allmusic_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-allmusic_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-allmusic_1-3) ["Blu | Biography, Albums, Streaming Links"](http://www.allmusic.com/artist/blu-mn0002329860). *[AllMusic](/source/AllMusic)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170624153224/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/blu-mn0002329860) from the original on June 24, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-:3_2-0)** ["Below The Heavens, by Blu & Exile"](https://web.archive.org/web/20170727060911/https://thenewcolorblu.bandcamp.com/album/below-the-heavens). *blu*. Archived from [the original](https://thenewcolorblu.bandcamp.com/album/below-the-heavens) on July 27, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Asher Roth, Mickey Factz & Blu Talk Eminem, '09 XXL Freshman Cover, Careers & More | Drink Champs"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA55niB_Ax4). August 14, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2022 – via [YouTube](/source/YouTube). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Blu: A Kind of Blu"](http://hiphopdx.com/interviews/id.1071/title.blu-a-kind-of-blu). *HipHopDX*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170522151438/http://hiphopdx.com/interviews/id.1071/title.blu-a-kind-of-blu) from the original on May 22, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["2007 HipHopDX Awards"](http://hiphopdx.com/interviews/id.984/title.2007-hiphopdx-awards). *HipHopDX*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20151118041814/http://hiphopdx.com/interviews/id.984/title.2007-hiphopdx-awards) from the original on November 18, 2015. Retrieved June 23, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-:4_6-0)** ["C.R.A.C. (The Piece Talks), by Blu & Ta'Raach"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160621174632/http://thenewcolorblu.bandcamp.com/album/c-r-a-c-the-piece-talks). *blu*. Archived from [the original](https://thenewcolorblu.bandcamp.com/album/c-r-a-c-the-piece-talks) on June 21, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-:0_7-0)** plugoneboss (August 6, 2008). ["Blu and Mainframe form "Johnson&Jonson""](https://www.plugonemag.com/2008/08/05/blu-and-mainframe-form-johnsonjonson). *Plug One*. Retrieved June 23, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-:1_8-0)** ["Blu: Her Favorite Colo(u)r Album Review | Pitchfork"](http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15429-her-favorite-colour/). *pitchfork.com*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170629032225/http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15429-her-favorite-colour/) from the original on June 29, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Blu Signs with Sire/Warner Bros. Records"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140819085948/http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.8621/title.blu-signs-to-sire-warner-brothers-records). *HipHopDX*. Archived from [the original](http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.8621/title.blu-signs-to-sire-warner-brothers-records) on August 19, 2014. Retrieved June 23, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Blu & Exile To Officially Release "Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them""](http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.20082/title.blu-exile-to-officially-release-give-me-my-flowers-while-i-can-still-smell-them). *HipHopDX*. Retrieved June 23, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-:2_11-0)** Westhoff, Ben (May 16, 2014). ["Blu: Stream His Entire New Album, Good to Be Home"](http://www.laweekly.com/music/blu-stream-his-entire-new-album-good-to-be-home-4652681). *L.A. Weekly*. Retrieved June 23, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Hear Med, Blu & Madlib Team With MF Doom"](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hear-med-blu-madlib-team-with-mf-doom-for-the-trios-all-star-lp-20150922). *Rolling Stone*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160108063236/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hear-med-blu-madlib-team-with-mf-doom-for-the-trios-all-star-lp-20150922) from the original on January 8, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Stream Blu & Nottz "Titans In The Flesh" EP"](https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/48882-stream-blu-and-nottz-titans-in-the-flesh-ep-news). *HotNewHipHop*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20170928005637/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/stream-blu-and-nottz-titans-in-the-flesh-ep-news.22883.html) from the original on September 28, 2017. Retrieved June 23, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Meewisse, Harry (March 2018). ["New mixtape by Blu: 'The DS Dumb Style Mixtape'"](https://thefindmag.com/hip-hop-downloads-music/new-mixtape-blu-ds-dumb-style-download/). *The Find Mag*. Retrieved September 20, 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Ivey, Justin (April 5, 2018). ["Blu Teams with Shafiq Husayn for "The Blueprint" Mixtape"](https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46422/title.blu-teams-with-shafiq-husayn-for-the-blueprint-mixtape). *HipHopDX*. Retrieved September 20, 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Afrika | Blu & Nottz"](https://thenewcolorblu.bandcamp.com/album/afrika). *Bandcamp*. Retrieved July 10, 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Nevares, Gabriel Bras. ["Blu Travels Through The "Wild Wild West" On Evidence-Produced New Single: Stream"](https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/823119-blu-wild-wild-west-new-song-stream). *HotNewHipHop*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240718061550/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/823119-blu-wild-wild-west-new-song-stream) from the original on July 18, 2024. Retrieved July 10, 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Horvath, Zachary. ["Blu & Aloe Blacc Deliver Impassioned Performances On Exile-Assisted "Love Is Blu""](https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/835679-blu-blu-exile-aloe-blacc-love-is-blu-stream). *HotNewHipHop*. Retrieved August 21, 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["soul amazing (part one), by blu"](https://thenewcolorblu.bandcamp.com/album/soul-amazing-part-one). *blu*. Retrieved July 14, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["soul amazing (part two), by blu"](https://thenewcolorblu.bandcamp.com/album/soul-amazing-part-two). *blu*. Retrieved July 14, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["soul amazing (part three), by blu"](https://thenewcolorblu.bandcamp.com/album/soul-amazing-part-three). *blu*. Retrieved July 14, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["soul amazing (part four), by blu"](https://thenewcolorblu.bandcamp.com/album/soul-amazing-part-four). *blu*. Retrieved July 14, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** ["soul amazing (part five) (the alchemist edition), by blu"](https://thenewcolorblu.bandcamp.com/album/soul-amazing-part-five-the-alchemist-edition). *blu*. Retrieved July 14, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["soul amazing (part six), by blu"](https://thenewcolorblu.bandcamp.com/album/soul-amazing-part-six). *blu*. Retrieved July 14, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["soul amazing (part seven), by blu"](https://thenewcolorblu.bandcamp.com/album/soul-amazing-part-seven). *blu*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20180526210154/https://thenewcolorblu.bandcamp.com/album/soul-amazing-part-seven) from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2018. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["the ds dumb style mixtape, by blu"](https://thenewcolorblu.bandcamp.com/album/the-ds-dumb-style-mixtape). *blu*. Retrieved January 5, 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** ["soul amazing (part eight), by blu"](https://thenewcolorblu.bandcamp.com/album/soul-amazing-part-eight). *blu*. Retrieved January 5, 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** ["soul amazing (part nine), by blu"](https://thenewcolorblu.bandcamp.com/album/soul-amazing-part-nine). *blu*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20220105202655/https://thenewcolorblu.bandcamp.com/album/soul-amazing-part-nine) from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2022. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-djbooth.net_29-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-djbooth.net_29-1) ["Best New Song: Blu & Nottz — "Yesterday""](https://djbooth.net/songs/2018-03-27-blu-nottz-yesterday). March 27, 2018. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** ["Crenshaw Jezebel – Blu, Ray West"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/crenshaw-jezebel-mw0002926264). *AllMusic*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171019163554/https://www.allmusic.com/album/crenshaw-jezebel-mw0002926264) from the original on October 19, 2017. Retrieved October 19, 2017. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** Fairfax, Jesse (October 11, 2016). ["Review: Blu & Fa†e Take A Strange Journey On "Open Your Optics To Optimism""](https://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.2817/title.blu-fa%25e2%2580%25a0e-take-a-strange-journey-on-open-your-optics-to-optimism). *HipHopDX*. Retrieved October 19, 2017. ## External links Wikiquote has quotations related to ***[Blu (rapper)](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Special:Search/Blu_(rapper))***. Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Blu (rapper)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Blu_(rapper)). - [Blu](https://www.discogs.com/artist/80569) discography at [Discogs](/source/Discogs) - [Blu](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/mn0002329860) at [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic_(identifier)) v t e Blu Solo studio albums California Soul TheGodleeBarnesLP Her Favorite Colo(u)r Jesus York The Color Blu(e) Blu & Exile albums Below the Heavens Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them Miles: From an Interlude Called Life Love (the) Ominous World Other collaboration albums The Piece Talks (with Ta'Raach, as C.R.A.C.) Johnson&Jonson (with Mainframe, as Johnson&Jonson) Good to Be Home (with Bombay) Bad Neighbor (with MED and Madlib) Cheetah in the City (with Union Analogtronics) Gods in the Spirit, Titans in the Flesh (with Nottz) The Blueprint (with Shafiq Husayn) A Long Red Hot Los Angeles Summer Night (with Oh No) True & Livin' (with Exile, as Blu & Exile) Ground & Water (with Damu The Fudgemunk) Bad News (with Real Bad Man) Afrika (with Nottz) Royal Blu (with Roy Royal) Out of the Blue (with Shafiq Husayn) Los Angeles (with Evidence) EPs Gods in the Spirit (with Nottz) Crenshaw Jezebel (with Ray West) Titans in the Flesh (with Nottz) Open Your Optics to Optimism (with Fate) This Turn Up (with MED and Madlib) Underground Makes the World Go Round (with Fat Jack) The Narrative (with Mickey Factz and Nottz) Live from the End of the World, Vol. 1 (Demos) (with Fatlip) I (with Jabee) Related Blu & Exile Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF GND WorldCat National United States Artists MusicBrainz People Deutsche Biographie --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Blu (rapper)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu_(rapper)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu_(rapper)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.