Blu & Exile Reunite For New EP & Single "True & Livin"

BY Erika Marie 2.4K Views
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The pair are hitting the road to promote the new record.

On Thursday Blu & Exile begin their "True & Livin' Tour" by kicking things off in Seattle, Washington. The duo has reunited once again for the May 24 release of their forthcoming EP True & Livin, and to celebrate they dropped the first single from the record that shares the same name. The West Coast hip hop pair have known each other for almost two decades, but they've been collaborating for a little over 10 years. Their debut album Below the Heavens was critically-acclaimed, and by the sounds of their latest track, they have another gem on their hands.

"True & Livin" features an Exile lopped beat that screams old school hip hop with a refreshing new twist. Blu spits clear, conscious rhymes that showcase what separates lyrical emcees from everyday rappers. The True & Livin EP will have a number of features including Aloe Blacc, Dag Savage, Blame One, and Cashus King. Check out Blu & Exile's latest single and let us know what you think.

5/2 - Seattle, Wash. @ The Crocodile
5/10 - Las Vegas, Nev. @ Ninja Karaoke
5/11 - Berkeley, Calif. @ Cornerstone
5/14 - Portland, Ore. @ Mississippi Studios
5/15 - Costa Mesa, Calif. @ The Wayfarer
5/18 - Chicago, Ill. @ Subterranean
5/19 - Detroit, Mich. @ Deluxx Fluxx
5/28 - Atlanta, Ga. @ 529
5/29 - New Orleans, La. @ The Howlin’ Wolf
5/31 - Fort Worth, Tx. @ Shipping & Receiving
6/1 - Albuquerque, N.M. @ Sister Bar
6/2 - Denver, Co. @ The Black Box
6/6 - Los Angeles, Calif. @ 1720
6/7 - Brooklyn, N.Y. @ Knitting Factory

Quotable Lyrics

We only come in peace to preach about the next coming
The first black president, what if the next is woman?
This is for those becoming what you intend to be
Pull off your suits of struggle and wash your sins and see
This is finna be even deeper than a sunken ship
2000 plus slaves underground above the rich


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.