Beat Dump 6. The Influences: Blu

Beat Dump 6: The Influences

Blu

(@HerFavColor)

So Beat Dump 6 is out & since we've come this far I guess it's time to discuss

influences and other stuff that might catch a few eyes and ears.

Blu is one of those rapper/producers I've been listening to before he had

a wikipedia page. I'm not even 100% sure how I came across this guy.

What felt like a bombardment of quality rhymes over soulful beats, from

"Below the Heavens" as a basic premise of who Blu is, to "Her Favorite Colo(u)r"

a mellow dream-like journey entirely self-produced, to "NoYork" (later renamed simply "York") an experimental, psychedelic trek with a hint towards a push toward

mainstream appeal.

  

Blu's entire journey, as a producer or working with the likes of Exile, Madlib or Dibia$e

taught me a lot about how to flip a sample and how to be tactful with drums

and percussion's. Similar to Hip-Hop's supervillain DOOM, Blu is also masterful with

his collages of skits and dialogue samples; "Her Favorite Colo(u)r" or the lesser known "no york e mo rmx" creating atmospheric scenery piece-by-piece, leading to an
(arguably) near flawless aesthetic for the entirety of the project.

Uncompromising in his approach, Blu has pushed a few projects with vintage or

extremely lo-fi presentation (sometimes to the ire of his fanbase), personally this

taught be a lot, sometimes creative direction takes priority over accessibility,

especially considering whatever statements you want to make, ideas you

want to get across or seeds you wish to sow.

There is TOO MUCH to go on about concerning this guys body of work,

I could talk about "Johnson & Jonson", the obvious go to guy "(So)ul Amazing",

"theGodleeBarnes(lp)", "Jesus" or "Give Me My Flowers While I can Smell Them"

all day. Blu is one of the few emcees who's flaws enhance his strengths.

PRESENTING:

Mechanical Ashar
Beat Dump 6

Another chapter in a story of beat development, audio art & musical experimentation.

Free to download, check it out, let me know what you think.

For more Shadeprint stuff, find me online (@Shadeprint)

DOWNLOAD: http://bit.ly/BeatDump6