Blu (born April 15, 1983) is the stage and performing name of Johnson Barnes, an American alternative Hip-Hop rapper and producer, hailing from Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Initially influenced by gospel, Christian rap, and later gangster rap, Barnes’ break into the industry came as the hype man for rap and soul artists including Slum Village, Steve Spacek and Platinum Pied Pipers. Leaving his free-styling ambitions behind and developing a bond with producer Exile, Blu signed with the L.A.-based independent label Sound in Color in 2004, over major-label equivalents Interscope and Death Row.
Blu’s debut album “Below the Heavens” arrived in August 2007 and catapulted Blu’s laid-back and well-crafted songwriting style and Exile’s soul-inspired production a national audience. The album earned critical acclaim for its thoughtful and independent nature and ended up making a number of year-end lists. The following year Blu collaborated with Ta’Raach on the album “The Piece Talks”, and later with producer Mainframe, the album "Johnson&Jonson".
After forming the company New World Color alongside Mainframe, Blue released his solo project mixtape “(So)ul Amazing”, followed by his sophomore album “Her Favorite Colo(u)r” in 2011. With his new found respect and popularity Blu has subsequently released a number of well-received mixtapes and studio albums including “Open”, “Jesus” and “The Norman Rockwell Beat Tape” in 2011, alongside Exile again, “Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them” in 2012, “York” in 2013, and “Good to Be Home” in 2014.
Will Varley
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