Blu

**Blu** (born Johnson Barnes) is an underground LA rapper/producer who's been dropping thoughtful, jazz-laced hip-hop since the mid-2000s. Known for his laidback flow and introspective lyrics, he rose to acclaim with *Below the Heavens* (2007), a soulful collab with producer Exile that’s now considered a cult classic. Blu thrives in raw, collaborative spaces—whether teaming with Madlib, Alchemist, or his own group C.R.A.C. (Classic Rule All Clusters). His recent work, like the gritty *Zickzack* and soul-drenched *Soul Baby*, keeps pushing his signature blend of streetwise poetry and warm, sample-based beats. Despite dodging mainstream trends, Blu’s stayed a favorite for heads who crave substance over flash.