AOTW: Blu

Sorry folks I've been real busy with getting a new job and buying an Xbox and that's why AOTW has not been updated regularly, but without further ado here's this weeks edition showcasing rapper Blu from LA.

During my sophomore year I found the blog Passion of the Weiss and was instantly hooked because it provided a counter to 2dopeboyz, a blog that provides you with a shit ton of content, but lacked in readable content. Passion Of the Weiss filled this void and was up my alley because our similar tastes in hip-hop, but music in general. While browsing one day I stumbled across a post about an LA rapper named Blu (which initially sounded super whack) was given a full endorsement from Mr. Weiss himself so I was more than willing to give him a try. And boy was I glad I did because Blu's album Below the Heavens with Exile turned out to be one of my favorite hip-hop albums of the last 5 years and in my opinion has been generally overlooked by the general hip-hop community despites it's high critical acclaim. It's got a nice introspective feel that doesn't come off as pushy or overly sad. Godlee Barnes tells a believable story with little embellishment and rarely boats to the point where you think he's putting on a front. He also isn't one of those introspective rappers that are super emo (Slug) or overly political (Immortal Technique) striking a good balance of the two without sounding too overbearing in its message.

It's been 3 or 4 years now since the album was released and since then Blu has been keeping busy by releasing mixtapes working under various alias' and producers while also getting signed to a major. Not all of his work past and present been as good as Below the Heavens, and to be truthful a lot of it is inconsistent, but there are a few gems here and there if you are willing to scour through it. It's not Lil Wayne prolific but Blu does have a pretty strong catalog that is worth at least a pass or two. His releases have been enough to sate my hunger, but I want more Blu & Exile. The two just work so well because of how well Blu's rhyming and Exile's production play off each other, and Below the Heavens was just so much more polished than anything else that he has released. Shout out to Passion of the Weiss. you should be reading it if you already aren't by now.

Track Listing
1) Cold Hearted - Blu ft. Miguel Jontell

2) Old Souls - The Grouch & Elight ft. Blu

3) Local Legends - Blu (prod Flying Lotus)

4) Hold On John - Blu ft John Lennon

5) Fly (SongOfLiberation) - Blu

6) CityOfLos(t)Angel(e)s - Blu ft CashUsKing

7) The World Is (Below The Heavens...) - Blu & Exile

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