Every once in a while, there comes an album that comes out of left field and takes people by surprise. One that is prematurely declared an instant classic and actually lives up to the title. In this case is the 2007 release from West Coast underground rapper Blu and Emanon member/producer Exile and their collaborative effort "Below The Heavens". Blu was so coveted in the music circles that he garnered interest from labels like Interscope and, surprisingly, Death Row Records. His introspective storytelling drew immediate comparisons to Common, a rapper who Blu was highly influenced by. After getting attention from major labels, he decided that he wanted more creative control over his music. He signed with the small indie label Sound In Color in 2004, and appeared on a few songs from Exile's "Dirty Science" a couple of years later. The two showed amazing chemistry on the handful of songs they did together, so it only made sense for them to collaborate on an entire project- which became the album "Below The Heavens".
What makes this album so great aside from the production is the wisdom and maturity displayed on the record. Blu shows that he is wise beyond his years- even if he was only 22 years old at the time of the album's release. Look no further than the song "In Remembrance Of Me", in which he tells the story of wanting to be an adult at his young age. On "Blu Collar Worker", he tries to rationalize with women who complain about the dedication to his career as opposed to his relationship. He tries to stay optimistic in the face of depression and internal struggle on "Dancing In The Rain", and gets brutally honest with a woman about his financial situation as a performer on the amusing "First Things First". Blu explores the topic of a relationship that was doomed from the start on "No Greater Love" and wishes for a better life away from poverty and frustration on "Show Me The Good Life". Blu teams up with his partner Ta'Raach in the group C.R.A.C. on "Juicen Dranks" and tries to keep a level head in negative surroundings on "The Narrow Path". Blu & Exile's "Below The Heavens" is an album that speaks to anyone who lives in an unjust world and wants to make things better. After listening to this album, it's easy to understand why it's called a classic.
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Editorial Reviews
Original copy; not a CDR or bootleg; excellent condition; plays perfectly
Product details
- Package Dimensions : 5.55 x 4.97 x 0.54 inches; 2.83 ounces
- Manufacturer : Sound in Color
- SPARS Code : DDD
- Date First Available : May 11, 2007
- Label : Sound in Color
- ASIN : B000QFAEHI
- Number of discs : 1
- Best Sellers Rank: #294,885 in CDs & Vinyl (See Top 100 in CDs & Vinyl)
- #1,893 in Contemporary R&B (CDs & Vinyl)
- #5,223 in Pop Rap (CDs & Vinyl)
- #10,707 in Soul (CDs & Vinyl)
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
179 global ratings
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5 Stars
A classic album so much so that it's timeless
I've been listening yhis since 2008 and Below the Heavens is one of my top 5 favorite albums across all genres of music. Below the Heavens part 1 other wise know as The World is(Below the Heavens) is my favorite song it's perfect in my opinion.However Blu and Exile did a great job on this album every song has its charm.Message, lyrics, beats, production value this album has everything and the samples for the songs are a nice bonus of you wanna dive into other genres. I can't say anything bad about this album but...my issue with the packing is the fact it's not a hard CD case or at least mine wasn't. I did buy the album digitally back in the day and some of the track names are different for the digital version so I don't actually know which names are what, I assume the physical copy is the go too but Im not 100% sure incase you wanna stream the songs online. Even if you're not a fan of Hip Hop I'd say this is still worth buying because it's not just another rap album it's an art piece.
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2011
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2018
I've been listening yhis since 2008 and Below the Heavens is one of my top 5 favorite albums across all genres of music. Below the Heavens part 1 other wise know as The World is(Below the Heavens) is my favorite song it's perfect in my opinion.However Blu and Exile did a great job on this album every song has its charm.Message, lyrics, beats, production value this album has everything and the samples for the songs are a nice bonus of you wanna dive into other genres. I can't say anything bad about this album but...my issue with the packing is the fact it's not a hard CD case or at least mine wasn't. I did buy the album digitally back in the day and some of the track names are different for the digital version so I don't actually know which names are what, I assume the physical copy is the go too but Im not 100% sure incase you wanna stream the songs online. Even if you're not a fan of Hip Hop I'd say this is still worth buying because it's not just another rap album it's an art piece.
5.0 out of 5 stars
A classic album so much so that it's timeless
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2018
I've been listening yhis since 2008 and Below the Heavens is one of my top 5 favorite albums across all genres of music. Below the Heavens part 1 other wise know as The World is(Below the Heavens) is my favorite song it's perfect in my opinion.However Blu and Exile did a great job on this album every song has its charm.Message, lyrics, beats, production value this album has everything and the samples for the songs are a nice bonus of you wanna dive into other genres. I can't say anything bad about this album but...my issue with the packing is the fact it's not a hard CD case or at least mine wasn't. I did buy the album digitally back in the day and some of the track names are different for the digital version so I don't actually know which names are what, I assume the physical copy is the go too but Im not 100% sure incase you wanna stream the songs online. Even if you're not a fan of Hip Hop I'd say this is still worth buying because it's not just another rap album it's an art piece.
Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2018
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Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2007
I read about this album online, and after listening to it I bought the album. Let me say, this is without a doubt my favorite album I own right now. Everything about it, from Blu's lyrics, to the beats of Exile, is perfect. If you are a fan of Hip Hop, real Hip Hop, than do yourself a favor, and not ignore this. Even if this is your first entry into the world of Underground music, it's a perfect first step.
I honestly can't say enough about this album. It's been playing constantly on my computer and on my Ipod, and I still can't get enough of it. The lyrics mean something, and make you think about your own life after hearing Blu speak about his, you can relate to him, just through his words. And the beats are soulful and delightful, everyone will get stuck in your mind, and they are the perfect combo to Blu. I can't even list my favorite tracks, because this is one of those albums that play all the way through, not skipping a beat.
I truly think that this album will be looked back on as the start of something big for not only Blu and Exile, but the genre in general.
I can't wait for another.
I honestly can't say enough about this album. It's been playing constantly on my computer and on my Ipod, and I still can't get enough of it. The lyrics mean something, and make you think about your own life after hearing Blu speak about his, you can relate to him, just through his words. And the beats are soulful and delightful, everyone will get stuck in your mind, and they are the perfect combo to Blu. I can't even list my favorite tracks, because this is one of those albums that play all the way through, not skipping a beat.
I truly think that this album will be looked back on as the start of something big for not only Blu and Exile, but the genre in general.
I can't wait for another.
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2010
A beautifully & bangin album that was conceived, crafted and performed in the spirit & essence of Hip Hop, by Blu & Exile. The "goodness" is on a frozen rope, from front("My World") to end("I am"). Listening to this cd brings back that good feeling that Hip-Hop is out of intensive care and recovering well in stable condition. Thanks to Little Brother, Lupe, J Electronica, J Cole, Joell Ortiz, J Rock, Papoose, Tanya Morgan, Fashawn, Wale and Blu, Hip Hop will stay on good ground, in the next 5-10 years. Not to mention, Pete Rock, Primo & 9th Wonder have to feel real good about the production work Exile put in, on this album. Shame on me for just hearing about this album this year, but a good thing the rank & file hip hoppers know about these cats. For the real music lovers out there, stay hip on the goodness out there and hop on it as soon as it comes out.
D 2-5
Illadelphia
D 2-5
Illadelphia
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2011
My Fav Color. I bought this album from a local record store when it came out in '07 and lost the CD a few months ago and decided to purchase another hard copy. This was Blu's debut (and best) album. Him and Exile were meant to make music together. I won't even bother naming which tracks are my favorite because every single verse on this album has substance. Blu is easily on my list of top 5 favorite MCs and Exile is hands down one of the most soulful producers in the game today (and a savage on the MPC).
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2020
I love this album so much! Definitely worth having it on Vinyl! The pressing is definitely solid! Also, love the 7 inch vinyl included to get some extra Exile beats!
Top reviews from other countries
Vitaly
5.0 out of 5 stars
Underrated Classic!
Reviewed in Canada on April 14, 2016
If you looking for album that is overall great body of work then this is it.
The soul sampled production with boom bap production that will make your neck snap.. awesome lyricism with each song.. Blue tackles many subject matters and it is amazing how it complements Exile's production.. Overall this is 10/10 for me.. This album has almost no flaws..
Buy it!
The soul sampled production with boom bap production that will make your neck snap.. awesome lyricism with each song.. Blue tackles many subject matters and it is amazing how it complements Exile's production.. Overall this is 10/10 for me.. This album has almost no flaws..
Buy it!
saku22
5.0 out of 5 stars
Très bon album hiphop
Reviewed in France on May 25, 2015
Livraison rapide et en parfait état. Une belle édition cartonnée. Par contre, déçu des teois versions bonus qui ne correspondent pas à celles attendues (morceaux samplés de Shelley Duvall ansents).!
Mr. JSS
5.0 out of 5 stars
soul amazing hip hop
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 22, 2014
A classic album, that I quite simply thought I would never own, as the second hand price was always too high. Then a reissue appeared in Jan 2014 7 years after it's first release. Exquisite production from exile, great vocals from blu, also guest appearances from aloe blacc amongst others, if you are not sure listen to cold hearted, soul amazin or dancing in the rain to get a feel of this seminal hip hop classic.
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Martin Baudrexel
5.0 out of 5 stars
unglaublich
Reviewed in Germany on November 8, 2011
es gibt Platten, die berühren das HipHop Herz. Müsste ich auf eine Insel..könnte ich zehn Scheiben mitnehmen..und so weiter
Danke an die Verfasser vorangegangener Rezessionen.
Danke an die Verfasser vorangegangener Rezessionen.
梶本
5.0 out of 5 stars
1+1=3
Reviewed in Japan on May 3, 2011
以前より、J Dilla, Madlib, jneiro jarelなどを好んで聴いてきた私にとって、かなり満足度の高い作品と感じました。
西のMos Defと呼ばれるほど卓越したマイクスキルをもつBluと西海岸アングラシーンで着実に才能を示してきたビートメイカーのExileのタッグで完成した今作品は、互いの長所を引き出しあうような見事な作品になっていると思います。
随所に散りばめられた「温かみ」と「重み」のあるサンプリングセンスで作られたトラックの中でも、個人的には冒頭の「My World Is」と中盤「Blu Colla Workers」、ラストの「The World Is (Below the Heavens)」〜「You Are Now In the Clouds With (The Koochie Monstas)」が好きです。特に、後者はこれまで聴いた中でも断トツの「温かみ」を備えた良作で今でもヘビーローテーションです。
今作品発表後、互いに一気に注目度が増したのではないかと思います。最近ではFlying LotusやDorian ConceptなどBeat系の作品が人気ですが、それらが好きな人も気に入る作品であると思います。
Amazonでの販売が2011年4月現在、入荷待ちの状態が続いていて残念ですが、近くの販売店で見つけたら是非聴いてみてください。
西のMos Defと呼ばれるほど卓越したマイクスキルをもつBluと西海岸アングラシーンで着実に才能を示してきたビートメイカーのExileのタッグで完成した今作品は、互いの長所を引き出しあうような見事な作品になっていると思います。
随所に散りばめられた「温かみ」と「重み」のあるサンプリングセンスで作られたトラックの中でも、個人的には冒頭の「My World Is」と中盤「Blu Colla Workers」、ラストの「The World Is (Below the Heavens)」〜「You Are Now In the Clouds With (The Koochie Monstas)」が好きです。特に、後者はこれまで聴いた中でも断トツの「温かみ」を備えた良作で今でもヘビーローテーションです。
今作品発表後、互いに一気に注目度が増したのではないかと思います。最近ではFlying LotusやDorian ConceptなどBeat系の作品が人気ですが、それらが好きな人も気に入る作品であると思います。
Amazonでの販売が2011年4月現在、入荷待ちの状態が続いていて残念ですが、近くの販売店で見つけたら是非聴いてみてください。
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