Johnson Barnes, better known as Blu, is an American rapper from San Pedro, California. He is best known for his debut album, Below the Heavens, which was produced entirely by one half of Emanon, Exile. John Barnes III 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'

Blu's Albums and Mixtapes
Below the Heavens" (with Exile) (2007)
The Piece Talks (as C.R.A.C. Knuckles, with Ta'Raach) (2008)
Johnson&Jonson (as Johnson&Jonson, with Mainframe) (2008)
So(ul) Amazing 2 by *DJ Heat (Mixtape) (2008)
Blu - HerFavoriteColo(u)r (Mixtape) (2009)

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