Radio, out February 24th via Plug Research, is not your average instrumental album. Exile did not want to just put beats on a record. He wanted everything to be unique and different, from the starting concept to the final message of Radio.
Blu & MainFrame ’s Johnson&Jonson album has been widely noticed and talked about around the world as the CD with the “Red Baby” on it. Since the birth of the “Red Baby” a.k.a. “Johnny”, the Johnson’s have brought the iconic “Red Baby” everywhere with them including trips to the studio, multiple meetings with labels, a couple of liquor stores, and their parties to celebrate the release of their critically acclaimed album.
When Blu & the Johnson’s performed at 111 Minna, a club in San Francisco, and brought “Johnny” along for additional support, he was stolen. There are several photos from that night that prove that the “Red Baby” truly was in attendance. He was spotted hanging out with the homies, a bunch of Filipino girls and one white chick dancing to early 90s hip-hop. Towards the end of the show MainFrame noticed and screamed on the mic “Yo, Where’s the “Red Baby” Yo” … at 1:43 a.m. the “Red Baby” was announced as a missing person.
Was the “Red Baby” a victim of a kidnapping? Did another MC or crazed J&J fan snag the baby off stage? Or was this a conspiracy plotted by a group of young Filipino girls to blackmail Blu & MainFrame for some shit.
In hoping that the “Red Baby” gets home safe Blu & MainFrame have posted this unreleased MP3 entitled “Baby Don’t Leave Me Now” to help lure any information pertaining to the missing “Red Baby”. If you have any information at all, please e-mail 1_800_JOHNSON@gmail.com. Muchas Gracias!
Has any other emerging artist in hip-hop had a rookie year as chockfull of material and schizophrenic artistic direction as Blu? While the LA-based rapper seemingly scored the most points with the underground hip-hop head demographic with his collaborative debut with producer Exile,Below the Heavens, he’s since been cranking out albums at an alarmingly rapid pace – his release with Ta’Raach as C.R.A.C., The Piece Talks hit stores months later, and now his latest project with producer Mainframe, known as Johnson&Jonson collectively, is set to be released. The self-titledJohnson&Jonson record drops on September 23, just a year and one month after the whole album cycle began.
This is my anthem! Turn this shit up, it’s the weekend!
Blu is the leader of West Coast Hip-Hop. Since the days of Pharcyde, Freestyle Fellowship, and Jurassic 5, there have been few wordsmiths that have grasped the attention of listeners worldwide. Introduced to NWA and Public Enemy by his father, Blu later was captivated by the likes of Black Star, The Roots, and Common, creating a unique balance that is displayed in Blu’s personality and music.
Blu’s first full length LP, “Below the Heavens” pairs Blu with producer Exile on the Sound in Color imprint. His first single, “Narrow Path” has rocked stages across the world, as fans begin to feel the impact of Blu’s music. His delivery flows flawlessly, while the content reflects the joy and pain of working class youth everywhere. Since the release of “Narrow Path,” Blu has performed alongside Slum Village, X-Clan, Platinum Pied Pipers, Lyrics Born, DJ Houseshoes, and many others, while participating in 3 high-profile nationwide tours alongside musical family members: Ta’Raach, Aloe Blacc, and Exile.
The buzz has fans salivating for new music. Worldwide, people are looking to put hope into the ‘next’ emcee that will give them the same feeling when they first heard Black Thought, Common, or Slum Village. Blu fulfills this need, but maintains something that is entirely new, while not recycled.
Right now Blu is my favorite emcee hands down. He’s taking Hip-Hop to a new level with clear influences from the Golden Age and Dilla, but more than anything, himself.
