Photo: Shake.
Even though one of the dopest artists doing it has been quiet as of late since the Freshmen cover. It doesn’t mean he hasn’t been working on new material. His major label debut — entitled NoYork — is looking at a first quarter release w/ production from the likes of Flying Lotus, Sam I Am, Shafiq, Exile, etc; and you can expect the dopehouse to drop a premiere or two soon enough. With that said, Blu sat down with Vibe to discuss the album, his GodLeeBarnes(LP), the possibility of an official mixtape and why he keeps such a low profile.
What inspired the NoYork! title?
It’s got two different meanings, but I would say it’s about a state of mind. It really stems from people always saying I had a New York or East Cost style flow. This being my first real solo record⎯it kind of brings all my different styles together on one album. NoYork! has this broad West Coast sound. There are some other reasons but it’s definitely because of the sound. It’s not a state, it’s a state of mind.We can already see Internet cats saying you’re dissing New York with that title. Did you actually record any of the project in New York City?
I recorded a song with U-God out here. I spent some time recording Uptown and in Brooklyn. We had to make sure we were getting love from the city. I want to make sure everyone knows I’m not discriminating against New York. It’s a nod to this place if anything.There have been some rumors of you being dropped from Warner Bros. Are you still with the label?
Nah, there’s been no problems. I haven’t had any problems with the label at all. They’ve been open to all our creative ideas. I just like to really take my time before I release anything. I want to make sure I’m completely satisfied with my music.You have a true DIY approach to releasing new music. Why did you decide to drop the GodLee Barnes LP as one long un-mastered song?
I started to really enjoy releasing songs on MySpace. I did that for about a year, and then it went to releasing short projects. I dropped a couple instrumental projects and the Her Favorite Colour mixtape online. Then Twitter started popping. With the GodLee Barnes LP, I just felt the raw energy of it because that was the original way I recorded it. That old school cassette feel felt right. I may release an official version of that in the future.Will you ever drop an official mixtape with a DJ?
We’re still wrapping mixing the record and getting our campaign together. There might be a mixtape coming. I’ve been talking to some real DJs about doing my first official mixtape. I definitely want to out my foot in that arena⎯show them how I would do it. You’ll definitely hear some random singles from me very soon.You really seem to keep a low profile.
I definitely have this aura where I like to keep it low-key. I’ve always felt like an underground artist, and it was pretty easy to keep it that way in a sense because that’s where I was established and my comfort zone is. But with the Internet, I’m able to keep my presence without any major radio or TV play.
PREVIOUS: Blu – Dancing In The Rain Live (Video)
I jizzed in my pants
whose excited? I am
p.s. Shake, dope pic man
^lmao. i wanna believe this, but well see when the music is actually released
cant wait to buy this album, my current favorite rapper
we’ll see.
If Blu were to drop a mixtape with a DJ on it I’m gonna say he’ll get really close to one million downloads.
Oh & NoYork better come out on vinyl.
he keeps it low key because hes not an attention whore like these other rappers
Damn, fucking Blu. I swear this guy is the shit. His raps are top-notch and his singing gives me the chills just like Dilla’s singing did. Even though he bugs the shit out of me with keeping shit low-key, I’m still reppin & bumpin Blu’s shit real hard. I got nothin but mad love for this cat. LA ALL DAY!
my favorite emcee…..can’t wait for the new album
Finally some news on this guy!
LA STAND UP!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
NoYork!!
“I may release an official version of that in the future.”
That would be dope but I thought his computer crashed or whatever and he lost all those songs?
BLU!!
LA!!
Yo shake, can we get a high res of that picture? I’m feeling a new desktop background
Cant wait for Blu to drop some new shit one of my favorite artists. B.L.U. and if you see the E Drop um!!!
“Yo shake, can we get a high res of that picture? I’m feeling a new desktop background”
let me run a few errands first. but i got you..
can i get a 1280 X 800 please…
bluuuu(e)
dope news from the dope house
I thought the premise of GodLeeBarnes dropping in such LQ was due to the tracks being lost on Blu’s hard drive, that’s what he said via Twitter anyway … would love to hear an “official” mastered version unless I’m misreading that above.
i dont get why lupe gets no love on this site? shake just conveniently forget to put the question about all city chess club in there.
Youre my boy Blu!
Some good fucking news, I’ll be waiting for some new shit.
I LOVE BLU
I still vibe to below the heavens cant wait for the new shit
Damn i havent heard anything from or about blue in a long ass while (Lucky kendrick lamar and a few others kept me feed with quality hip hop for months) . Damn I cant wait to get more music from blu!
I need this new album. Blu is probably one of the dopest MCs alive.
Blu is one of my favorite “new” emcees. (New meaning from the latter half of the decade).
Its looking like Blu and J Cole are both going to drop projects in the frist quarter which would be RAW
Blu gets nothin but love. Everybody know he’s Unfuckwitable lol
Best rapper alive.
i told yall theres a CDQ version of godleebarnes!!!!!!!!!!
@theshowgoeson….so true. blu is the fuckin man and co$$ is fuckin dope also
Fuck, yes.
I’ve been awaiting this shit more than Act II. Definitely buyin’ this the first day it hits the shelves.
Dope. Very good news. I am also very excited to hear that Blu will be dropping a CDQ of GodLEEBarnesLP. ‘TilWeDie is an AMAZING track. Hopefully ‘Boss.Co’ and ‘NewMGNGrand’ are not good examples of what NoYork! will be. I’m very excited to hear those ‘random singles’ he was talking about. You’re my boy, Blu! Along with Jay Elect, best MC alive!
good to know that i aint the only one who salivates at ANY new Blue news/music/pics/etc. and although i always wait impatiently for his music, i ALWAYS run into him lol
cant wait for NoYork!
Bout the only thing not to like about this guy is his taste in Wu members. Cassete, mixtape, albout. He makes his own brand of ingenious dope music with no hint of ego or whinning like a little bitch about leaks and comprehending his art.
Lupe, take notes.
He performed in Boston last week and he did ONLY his new material even though the crowd was begging for some of his more known songs. Blu didn’t give a shit what the crowd (who paid for admission) wanted. By the way, his new material FUCKING SUCKED, it’s on some electro drum n bass bullshit.
Blu, your my Boy!
seriously though, ive never heard a bad word about him, even on YouTube.
oh wait ^^ thats the first lol
Hurry up with the album dude, you’re pulling a Jay Electromica
U C BOYS THIS IS A TRUE ARTIST RIGHT HERE
blu, jay elect, and wale are by far the top 3 young cats that have me super excited about hip hop and its future
jay electronica is not young lol
wale sucks dick
“Blu is the only rapper I’m scared of”
“why do you say that”
“Because he’s the only rapper….well… I’ll read his verse and feel mine isn’t as good as his….” – Lupe Fiasco
…enough said
finally been worried literally one of my all time favorites we need more of your music hope to see tht album soon
i recently realized how great this dude is. below the heavens is fan fuckin tastic, i will be shelling out for noyork
fuck it. I love blu and everything he does. but i don’t think no york is coming. IT”S ALREADY FALL 2010 MOFO. HURRY THE FUCK UP. this nigga’s been signed every since 08′.