B.est L.yricist U.nderground (Blu)

Johnson Barnes (born April 15, 1983), better known by the stage name Blu, is an American rapper and producer from Los Angeles, California. He is best known for his debut album, Below the Heavens, which was produced entirely by Exile, one half of Emanon.

Johnson Barnes' stepfather was a pastor, and gospel and Christian rap were an influence while at school. Taking influence from Common, he turned from freestyle rhyming to crafting songs. 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. He signed to Los Angeles independent label Sound in Color in 2004, choosing the label ahead of Interscope Records and Death Row Records. He contributed a few tracks to Exile's 2006 Dirty Science album, and self-pressed his debut Lifted EP in 2006. 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". Blu is also involved in several other projects including Johnson&Jonson (with Mainframe) and C.R.A.C. (with Ta'Raach).

Blu was named Rookie of the Year in 2007 by HipHopDX.

He was also named to XXL magazine's Top 10 Freshmen of 09'.  Bio from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu_%28rapper%29

Albums

Solo

• HerFavoriteColo(u)r [mastered reissue] (upcoming in 2011) Nature Sounds
• NoYork! (upcoming in 2011) Sire Records/Warner Bros. Records

Collaborations

• Below the Heavens [with Exile as Blu & Exile] (2007) Sound in Color
• The Piece Talks [with Ta'Raach as C.R.A.C.] (2008) Tres Records
• Johnson&Jonson [with Mainframe as Johnson&Jonson] (2008) Tres Records
• Open/O’Pen [with various artists] (upcoming in 2011) Jakarta Records

Producer

• ADayLate&ADollarShort [with Sene as Sene & Blu] (2009) Shaman Work Recordings

Solo

• Lifted (2006)
• The Narrow Path [produced by Exile] (2007) Sound in Color
• Amnesia (2011) Nature Sounds

Collaborations

• Bullet Through Me [with Ta'Raach as C.R.A.C.] (2008) Tres Records
• BeSene [with Sene as Patch Adams] (2008) Feelin' Music
• The Only Way with Mainframe as ''Johnson&Jonson'' (2009) Tres Records
• Mama Told Me with Mainframe as ''Johnson&Jonson'' (2009) Tres Records
• J&J Is Dead [with Mainframe as Johnson&Jonson] (upcoming in 2011)
• Powders & Oils [with Mainframe as Johnson&Jonson] (upcoming in 2011)

Mixtapes

• HerFavoriteColo(u)r (2009)
• NoSleepForADay [instrumental] (2009)
• Open [instrumental] (2009)
• theGODleeBarnes(lp) (2010)
• ParieArtNommee [video] (2010)
• Heavy(LightYearsBehind) (upcoming in 2011)