So(ul) Amazing

(HIP HOP)

Blu is the illest.

Let the weight of that statement sink in for a bit. This young man from California leads the vanguard of any of the new voices in hip hop. Metawon would make the argument that Jay Electronica takes the cake in that respect, and that is definitely valid, but for me the complete yet selfless reflection, impeccable flow and uncommon truth he brings to the mic place him second to none. It was seeming like through the mid 00's hip hop had grown a little stagnant in terms of pumping out the dope new MCs it had in the previous decade. For me, that trend changed in August of 2007 when Blu and Exile put out 'Below the Heavens', their debut album and a modern rap classic, and I started hearing more and more new voices coming out (for exmple, the aforementioned Jay Electronica or Fashawn).

This mixtape is one Blu did with DJ Heat shortly after the release of 'Below the Heavens.' It should give you a good feel for the unique contribution Blu makes to the hip hop community. For an example of what I mean by the reflection, flow and truth he brings, check the track 'Fly (Song of Liberation)' in this mix that was originally recorded for an Exile compilation Meta has in his crates. It was my first exposure to Blu and a good example of what he brings that nearly noone else does.

Download, listen, love...

DJ Heat and Blu - So(ul) Amazing Mixtape
(tracklisting in comments section)

Furthermore, while Blu is this refreshing new name in the MC community, his producer and chum Exile is equally amazing behind the boards. I recommend you to get all of the music you possibly can by both of these amazing artists.

PS - I know that someone who came to the scene in August of 07 has been at it for nearly 4 years now and isn't exactly 'new'. But hip hop has been around for 30 years now. In relative terms, it's new to me.