Blu, born Johnson Barnes in Inglewood, California, made a name for himself in the West Coast underground scene through his prolific output and collaborations with producers like Exile, MED, and Madlib. Influenced by gospel and Christian rap in his youth, Blu's musical journey was shaped by hearing Common's classic "I Used to Love H.E.R." and One Day It'll All Make Sense album. Blu's breakout project, Below the Heavens (2007) with Exile, garnered critical acclaim and launched him into the national hip-hop spotlight, leading to a string of successful albums like Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them (2012) and Good to Be Home (2014).

Remaining independent throughout his career, Blu continued to release multiple projects annually, collaborating with a variety of artists such as Ta'Raach and Oh No. His discography expanded rapidly, with standout albums like Gods in the Spirit, Titans in the Flesh (2018) produced by Nottz and A Long Red Hot Los Angeles Summer Night (2019) with Oh No. Blu's dedication to crafting well-written songs and his dynamic collaborations have solidified his status as a respected figure in hip-hop, showcasing his versatility and enduring creativity.