Johnson Barnes' stepfather was always a dope emcee. He strated in high school organizing hiphop clubs and "serving heads" in battles. 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 act, 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 and he was also named to XXL magazine's Top 10 Freshmen of 09'. Since he has signed to Sire/Warner and is looking to release his major label debut titled "NoYork!".
The world awaits.