Just recently did a little digging into Blu’s solo work, which a lot have you been requesting for awhile. This definitely took longer than my previous Jay Electronica and Kendrick Lamar megaposts combined. If you don't know Blu, you should. Coming out of Los Angeles, he is well known for his laid-back, personal approach to hip-hop, and his chill beats. He is as prolific a producer as he is an MC. Sort of in the vein of MF Doom (who I think is the only artist who's top 10 as both a producer and MC), Blu has stayed mighty busy over the past 5 years or so. He has an amazing amount of material for that time span, certainly the polar opposite of Jay Electronica. Overall, he probably has more than 200+ tracks he's been involved in during his short music career.. Let's just say it's so many songs that I don't even want to count.
A lot of people have only heard his work with producer Exile, Below The Heavens. While I think that is both a great starting point and a classic album, some decide to end their knowledge of Blu's work right there. I did for awhile, but after a little digitial digging, I found gems everywhere. Unfortunately, as some of you Blu fans know, he has a proclivity (don't know how I thought of that word either) to release projects out of the blue (pun intended) but with horrible quality. So don't shoot the messenger, but this is as good as they were made.
Below I will present to you every official and non-official releases/mixtape out worth downloading with an assortment of new Blu tracks at the time. This includes his solo work, compilation mixtapes, guest features, and official projects with other artists.
After the jump, check for a total of EIGHTEEN releases that Blu has released in the past handful of years. And if you're iffy on Blu (which you shouldn't be because you're reading this), I presented a periodical stream from each release to peak your interest. As we await the highly sought-after NoYork! album this year, catch up on everything Blu in the meantime. Plus, you gotta check my mediocre/snazzy album artwork.
I'm going to attempt (as hard as that is) to present this in a rough chronological order. I'm going to present his solo work first, then display all of his guest work on albums (whether it be rapping or producing). Enjoy.
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Lifted - The C.O.R.E. MixTape (2006)
1.) Pearly Gates
2.) Another Day
3.) The Soul Provider
4.) Party Of Two - ft. Aloe Blacc
5.) Back to Basic's Hip Hop's Alar
6.) Stress Off The Chest
7.) Kool Hercules - ft. KRS One
8.) You're Gonna Die - ft. Exile
9.) Life Is A Gamble ft. Treklife
10.) Sun In My Face
Lifted EP (2006)
1.) Another Day
2.) The Narrow Path
3.) Soul Provider
4.) Party of Two
5.) Soul Amazin' (Steel Blazin')
-- The three below mixtapes are in the (So)ul Amazing series. Essentially, it's a series that gathers all the loose tracks that Blu has released and a lot of guest features as well.
(So)ul Amazing [2008] *unofficial
1.) Piece
2.) Get It Now (Feat. Move.Ment, Trek Life)
3.) City of Los(t) Ang(e)les (Feat. Co$$)
4.) Dope 4 Gold (Feat. Sene)
5.) Spanish Winter
6.) My Boy Blu
7.) It's Okay (Pt. One) (Feat. Myth, Definite)
8.) Local Legends
9.) Respect10.) Sun In My Face (Feat. J Dilla, Jontel)
11.) Never Ending (Feat. Mumbles, Flora Purim)
12.) Top 5 N Luv (Taking A Little Break)
13.) Hostile Gospel (Just Blaze Remix) (Feat. Talib Kweli, Joell Ortiz)
14.) Bad News Barnes
15.) Stoopid (A Day Late A Dollar Short) (Feat. Sene)
16.) Mars (Remix)
17.) Fly (Song of Liberation) (Feat. Exile)
18.) Maintain (Feat. Donell, Smokes, Jontel, Co$$)
(So)ul Amazing Two [2008] *unofficial
1.) Wake Up
2.) Never Be Another Me
3.) For Whom The Bell Tolls (Feat. Evidence, Phonte, & Will.I.Am)
4.) The Classy Man
5.) We Got You
6.) I'm Gonna Need You
7.) Change (Ya World)
8.) Lear Jet (Feat. Folk & Stress)
9.) On Mars (Feat. Sene)
10.) Vibrate (Feat. Dela)
11.) The Times (Feat. Keelay & Zaire, Fortilive & Nino Moschella)
12.) All The Kings Men (Feat. Tiron)
13.) Gone
14.) Therapy (Feat. The Alchemist, Evidence, Talib Kweli & Kid CuDi)
15.) Baby Don't Leave Me Now (Feat. Mainframe)
16.) Angelic (Feat. Co$$)
17.) Nuts Hang
18.) Hard Times (Feat. DJ Cadik)
19.) Mars (Original) [prod. by Dela]
(So)ul Amazing Three [2009] *unofficial
1.) 'Til We Die
2.) JB's Gone
3.) Vanity (Death Of A Star) (Pt.1)
4.) LoveLine(s),DedicatedToLastFe'vrier.
5.) Old Souls (Feat. The Grouch & Eligh)6.) A Song Called Triumph (feat. Big Tone)
7.) Morgan Blu (feat. Tanya Morgan)
8.) Smoke (Prod By J-Dilla)
9.) GNG BNG (Feat. Flying Lotus)
10.) Nino Brown (Prod By RZA) (Unreleased)
11.) Just Relax
12.) IFell (Feat. Miss Jack Davey)
13.) Amnesia
14.) From The Heart (feat. Deep Rooted)
15.) Untitled(LovedU)2
16.) Laminated Looseleafs (Feat. MAG)
17.) Radical 2 (Instrumental)
-- This project was released unexpectedly on Valentine's Day, 2009. This is definitely one of the best projects dealing with Blu, featuring jazzy instrumentals and dope rhymes like usual. He also weaves in movie samples from the movie "Closer", which you should be watching to prep for this. Or not.
Her Favorite Colo(u)r [2009] *official
1.) Love
2.) Amnesia
3.) Since4.) Morning
5.) Melo
6.) Wind(terludeOne)
7.) When(terludeTwo)
8.) Silent
9.) Pardon
10.) Vanity
11.) Beggars/BlackGold
12.) Celln'Ls
13.) Untitled(LovedU)2
14.) Peace-- The story behind NoSleepForADay was Blu created this album over an entire night where -- you guessed it -- he didn't sleep. You can always count on Johnson Barnes to drop an unexpected (but welcome) project.
NoSleepForADay (2009) [Instrumental Album] *official
1.) Gold
2.) DoIt
3.) NumOne
4.) Go2Sleep
5.) TwoStep
6.) Ludie
7.) NoMine
-- Another project Blu drops out of nowhere on his MySpace, a few weeks after NoSleepForADay. No one can accuse Blu of not bein' on his grind. And yeah, I can't stand the way Blu types either, ButIGotOverItSinceHeMakesDopeMusicRight?
Open (theInstrumentalAlbum) [2009] *official
1.) NoWorries (TheyGonnaLoveUBaby)
2.) GoodGrace(LetUsThankHimForThisFood)
3.) RAw!(AsHardAsItGets)
4.) theRunAwaySlaveSong
5.) LikeEveryDayAintTheSame
6.) OpenChopShop(MilkMoneysFirstBeat)
7.) LetMeTellU
8.) TalkingToMyselfTooOften
9.) WeDance(ThoughIWalk,WeUsedToFly)
10.) theLongWindedReverendBarnes
11.) FoundAtTheBottomOfTheRainbow
12.) SucreForSunshine
13.) ThruTheMist
14.) ThankU
15.) cB4(WBGlow)(bonus)
-- The story behind this mixtape was that over a European Tour, Blu recorded a lot of videos catalouging his travels. He later made it into a video, which was split into a mixtape. Enjoy.
ParieArtNommee[EP] (2009) *official
1.) TheOne
2.) Can'tLetGo
3.) WinterWine
4.) Chasin'Doves
5.) BlackHome
-- Blu unexpectedly released this on New Year's Day 2010 on his twitter in the only way he knows how to: without anyone expecting anything. And don't worry, it's got him rapping. But yeah, the track titles are annoying haha. Almost as bad as the horrible quality Blu released it in. No way getting around that. Perhaps activating "vocal booster" in the EQ?
theGODleeBarnes(lp) [2010] *official
1.) theInnocent.
2.) AzulitoTheGreat.
3.) GloryUsDelux(Feat.L'sOfABandCalledGlory)
4.) NeverDream(ProByExile)
5.) theGOD's&Me.
6.) Grandma'sKitchen(CypherbyFamRep'sDa1&SirJoseph)
7.) Difficulties(Feat.CashUsKingAndFamRep'sSirJoseph&R.O.B.)
8.) SpanishWinter
9.) BeGO(o)D!(Feat.Sene)
10.) theRunOut(erlude)
11.) ItsOkay(PtOne) f. Myth & Definite
12.) On Mars (feat. Sene)
13.) Smoking@6InTheMo'(ByCashUsKing)
14.) City Of Los(t) Ang(e)les (Feat. Co$$)
15.) All The Kings Men (Feat. Tiron)
16.) aWorldGoneBlind(Feat.CashUsKing)
17.) MelloSunshine
18.) 'Til We Die
19.) Crowns
20.) Outro(OpenMindDead)ByMiguelJontel
21.) My Boy Blu
22.) BenevolentOffering&Benediction.
-- Next is a compilation of loose Blu tracks from this year, mostly comprised of tracks Blu was featured on. Credit to the original poster.
And If You See The E Drop 'Em *unofficial
1.) Seasons [new leaked track from Below The Heavens 2?]
2.) Surrender
3.) Mr. Brady - Get Choze ft. Diamond D & Blu
4.) Pour Another Glass
5.) SLNGBNGrs!
6.) Shingo Suzuki - Hi(gh) Music
7.) Pac Div - Cringe f. Blu
8.) Andy Allo - Dreamland ft. Blu
9.) Theophilus London - Life Of A Lover ft. Jesse Boykins III & Blu
10.) Blame One - Wonder Why ft. Blu & Exile
11.) Ta'Raach - Merci Me Lord ft. Blu
12.) Jazz (Tribute Remix)
13.) Asher Roth - Sour Patch Kids (Remix) ft. Talib Kweli & Blu
14.) Razor Blades
15.) Steel Remains
16.) So Perfect
17.) KeepItGoing ft. U-God
18.) Mic Holden - Excuse Me (Make Room) f. Blu
19.) LoveLine(s),DedicatedToLastFe'vrier.
-- This next post is something I'm sure you're aware of. Blu let loose "Jesus" a few weeks ago out of left field. Of course it's pretty shitty quality, but it's still dope nonetheless.
Jesus (2011) *official
1.) newshit
2.) whatifiwas
3.) ontheporch
4.) lucky
5.) dmv
6.) burgandy
7.) 4u
8.) doowhop+
9.) birdznbeez
10.) jesus
11.) dotheknxledge
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Now I will move onto Blu's projects as apart of groups or in partner with another MC or producer. All of these projects are official. *except where noted
Blu & Exile - Below The Heavens (2007)
1.) My World Is...
2.) The Narrow Path
3.) So(ul) Amazin' (Soul Blazin')
4.) Juicen' Dranks (ft. Taraach)
5.) In Remembrance Of Me
6.) Blu Colla Workers
7.) Dancing In The Rain
8.) First Things First (Ft. Miguel Jontel)
9.) No Greater Love
10.) Show Me the Good Life (Ft. Aloe Blacc & Joseph)11.) Simply Amazin'
12.) Cold Hearted (ft. Miguel Jontel)
13.) The World Is (Below The Heavens..)
14.) You Are Now In The Clouds With (The Koochie Monstas)
15.) I Am...
16.) Party of Two
17.) Life's a Gamble Ft. Donel Smokes, Trek Life & Cashius King
-- This next two project are by Johnson&Jonson, composed of Blu (Johnson Barnes) and producer Mainframe. The first mixtape was an advanced leak and was scrapped for what would become their second album, although they share a hefty amount of tracks between the two.
Johnson&Jonson - Powder&Oils *unofficial
1.) Intro
2.) Get High
3.) The Only Way
4.) Told Me
5.) Go For The Gusto Room (feat. BoBo Lamb)
6.) Wow!
7.) Half a Knot
8.) God's In The Building (feat. Miguel Jontel)
9.) Bout It, Bout It
10.) Look
11.) Listen Baby
12.) Been Such a Longtime (Interlude)
13.) Been Such a Longtime
14.) Up All Night
15.) Up All Night (Remix) (feat. Cashius King)
16.) La La La
17.) Hold On John (feat. John Lennon)
18.) Swear
19.) Outro
20.) Nuts Hang (Bonus Track)
21.) Upside Down Cake (Bonus Track)
Johnson&Johnson - Johnson&Johnson
1.) J and J
2.) Up All Night
3.) Half A' Knot4.) Mama Told Me
5.) Go For The Gusto Room (feat. Bobo Lamb)
6.) Wow!
7.) The Only Way
8.) In The Building (feat. Vocalist Miguel as Jontel Johnson)
9.) Bout It, Bout It
10.) Spell Check11.) Long Time Gone
12.) Still Up All Night
13.) A Perfect Picture
14.) Anything Is Possible
15.) The Oath
16.) Hold On John (feat. John Lennon)
-- This next project is a group formed by Blu and MC/Producer Ta'Raach, forming a group called C.R.A.C. Knuckles (sometimes referred to as just C.R.A.C.) Standing for "Collect Respect And A Check", C.RA.C. Knuckles focused on Blu rapping and Ta'Raach on the boards.
C.R.A.C. Knuckles - The Piece Talks (2008)
1.) What Up (Part 2)
2.) Buy Me Lunch (feat. Noni Limar)
3.) Love Don't
4.) Major Way
5.) Activate Too
6.) CRACHAUSE
7.) Respect
8.) Pop Dem Boyz
9.) 2.16.05
10.) Mr. Big Fizz
11.) Chill
12.) Hello?!
13.) Go!
14.) Activate (As Well)
15.) Bullet Through Me (feat. Shawn Jackson
16.) Cotton
17.) Credits
18.) Umm Yeah
19.) Ready
-- The last (and final) collaboration Blu took place in was with a fellow rapper, Sene. Sene is real nice on the mic, and Blu displays his producing skills. They sometimes go by Patch Adams, but that just sounds dumb.
Sene & Blu - BeSene EP
1.) BeSene (Dirty)
2.) BeSene (Instrumental)
3.) ABCs (Dirty)
4.) ABCs (Instrumental
5.) King Me (Bonus)
5.) King Me (Bonus)
Sene & Blu - A Day Late & A Dollar Short
1.) PressPause
2.) WonLover
3.) QuarterWaterSupporter
4.) WhyBother?
5.) WonThousandGirls
6.) SmokeRoseBudsOnAshyAvenue
7.) TheWonderers
8.) CloudClimbers
9.) EyeCry: TheBefore
10.) OwlThruGotham
11.) EveryDejaVu
12.) Ain'tNoJustice (feat. Co$$)
13.) EyesDry: TheAfter
14.) JusASuggestion
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And well, that's it. That's everything Blu has put his mark on since 2006 to present day. What have we learned? Blu is always in the studio, has a fetish with GroupingHisWordsTogether, and I have way too much time on my hands. This shit took me over a day to do, and here's to hoping someone actually read it.
By the way, if you are totally new to this cat and want a handy download for EVERYTHING I featured above, then drop me a comment and I'll upload that file in a snap. I'm not sure if MegaUpload will let me do it though, his entire discography measures a little over 1 gigabyte. That's a shitload of music, son!
Update: Just uploaded the entire discography into one file. Keep note, it's his entire discography BUT is missing the C.R.A.C. Knuckles project. This was the only way to keep the file size under 1 gigabyte. So if you want the entire discography, make sure you also download The Piece Talks.
WOW. You've done it (again)!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this. :D
I'd love one DL for everything. :D
ReplyDeleteProps, I was missing Soul Amazing 3.. Anyway, are all his features on here too? Because I don't know what I'm missing in that aspect haha.
ReplyDeletei love you :)
ReplyDeletejust uploaded the entire discography (although it's missing The Piece Talks to keep the file size under 1 gb).
ReplyDeleteAnd almost all of them, yes. A lot of his guest features are in the (So)ul Amazing series, as well as the If You See The E Drop 'Em project.
oh, and i love you too haha
Ight thanks on the info, think I got all now. The Piece Talks isn't that good anyway haha. The only Blu project I'm not really feeling.
ReplyDeleteThanks dude, appreciate it. Honestly though, Blu's work has been inconsistent. Dude has everything needed to be a top 10 dead-or-alive rapper, dope ass lyrics, a dope ass flow and a dope voice. He should hook up with Exile exclusively because Exile makes some dope beats that makes Blu complete, instead of the worthless trash beats Blu picks most of the time.
ReplyDeleteYou've done it again! Great post bro.
ReplyDeletethis is dope
ReplyDeletei actually like c.r.a.c. knuckles a lot, but i'm a big fan of taRaach as well. overall my favorite is j&j, but i kind of played the shit out of below the heavens its gotta sit on the back burner for awhile. shit its all dope to me, i just wish godlee barnes wasn't such bad quality.
ReplyDeleteyeah i agree. he releases a lot of music, but it's not the highest possible quality sometimes (bit-rate wise and overall).
ReplyDeletemy favorite is definitely Below the Heavens...certified underground classic to me.
Thanks a lot man. Always nice to see people making an effort to provide the masses with good music. Respect.
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! Epic post.
ReplyDeleteI think I am in love with this man. I don't even mind Weekly Woman Wednesday now that you brought Blu into my life.
haha, a few women said they gave it a pass because i focused on qualities other than the obvious.
ReplyDeleteand i really hope your last name is Strahovski..
Idk if you didn't want to post this or not but Blu was in a song with Freddie Gibbs called "In" off of freddie's Str8 Slammin album
ReplyDeleteasdasd
ReplyDeletethanks mate.. much appreciated
ReplyDeleteHi. Your blog is so beautiful, it's very logical layout. I also want to make a good blog like yours but not impossible. I was lucky to know your blog, I will visit often. This article is very interesting and meaningful. Thank you very much. Thank you very much!
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I love this blog, especially after reading this post! Can you please update the download links since megaupload is down... and you should add Blu and Exile's give me my flowers while i can still smell them mixtape :)
ReplyDeleteCan you please reup the links since Megaupload is off. Mediafire maybe. I am a big blu fan and my old external crashed so i lost alot of my old music and I keep finding so many dead links.
ReplyDeletethanks