One artist that I mention frequently, but who has never had his own post is Blu. Blu released Below the Heavens with DJ Exile in 2007 and it is largely considered by hip-hop heads as one of the best albums in the past 5 years. For people who love soul sample hip-hop – the Kanye, 9th Wonder type tunes – you’ll love this album. I didn’t catch on to it until late 2007 – but it was pretty much the only cd I played until March of the next year. The combo of Exile’s beats and Blu’s lyrics add-up to create what I would consider one of my favorite albums. I wouldn’t consider Blu a typical West Coast rapper, he doesn’t fit into the Snoop, Dr. Dre, the Game mold.
My favorite quality of Blu’s lyricism is how real it is. While rap is stereotypically steeped in arrogance and preoccupied with showing no flaws – Blu doesn’t hesitate to reveal his insecurities or troubles in life. My favorite cut off the album exemplifies just that.
Blu – “First Things First” featuring Miguel Jontel
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This track goes through Blu’s hesitation to approach a girl, something you’d never hear a rapper openly talk about. Unlike typical rappers, he’s not loaded, not driving a flashy car, nor is he rocking gold chains – all qualities that make him much more relatable to the everyday listener.
Blu – “Blu Colla Workers”
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Thistrack is in a similar vein as “First Things First”, but takes a more “aggressive” stance towards women. The main premise of the song is about a girl breaking it off with Blu because of him spending too much time working – so Blu presents the items his hard work will provide him in the future as a figurative F you to his ex. I could keep dissecting it – but don’t think I would do the song as much justice as simply presenting the last verse.
Ya nose itching, hoes wishing he was a keeper,
Fucked up girl, he was a keeper,
Fuck the papers, shit, he was the reefer,
Now he’s meaner than meaner,
Was sweet, now he keeps his heart next to his nina,
And you used to see him, saving up his money from shows,
To get her a rose, turning down ridiculous hoes,
All he wanted was a chick with his back, but his chippers was wack,
Now he adding on the Royce when he Rolls,
Sounds smoother with his voice when he flows, missed out,
Keep woofing all you want girl, I’m in a brick house,
With a thick spouse, pimped out, blue diamond dripped out,
In my helicopter love, fuck ya little Benz, bounce,
Fuck you think I work for huh?
The only real critiques I’ve seen of Blu is that all the songs sound too similar on the album – that doesn’t really bother me – and that he uses profanity too often – again something that doesn’t really bother me, but can see why it would bug others. It’s weird, the wordplay of Blu isn’t that ridiculous or even comparable to a Lil’ Wayne, but his lyrics more than others are the ones I find most applicable to life and the ones I would quote most often. There aren’t any real weak songs on the album, and I strongly encourage you to acquire it in any method you wish, just listen to it.
Posted by the Groove
lil wayne has word play?
WTF?
yeah Wayne has/had wordplay. he hasn’t been at the top of his game for awhile, but it is not that ridiculous of a statement.
Great album. Glad you gave them the shout out this week. And…I finally leave my first comment.