Ill Blu
British producer duo
- Electronic
- UK funky
- UK garage
- afroswing
- house
- drill
- hip hop
- drum and bass
- jungle
- Island
- RCA
- Hyperdub
- Numbers
- Armada
- James Grant
- Darius Ellington
Ill Blu (stylized as iLL BLU) is a British record production duo, consisting of James Grant and Darius Ellington-Forde.[1]
Career
Ill Blu began their career in 2008 following the release of "Frontline" by Princess Nyah; at the time, the members of Ill Blu went under the names J-Reel and Def1, respectively.[2] Following the release of "Frontline", the two would adopt the name Ill Blu; in an interview, they would note that "iLL" represented the rawness of their beats and "BLU" represented their cool approach to making them.[3]
Following their well received remix of Shystie's 'Pull it' in 2009.[4] iLL BLU quickly became sought after remixers and staples of the UK Funky House sound[5] remixing for the likes of Roll Deep, Cheryl and Hot Chip, amongst many others.[6]
They would go on to cement their underground foundations releasing the "Blu Magic Riddim" and EPs Bellion/Dragon Pop on Kode 9’s Hyperdub[7] and Meltdown on Jackmaster’s Numbers record label.[8]
In 2012, iLL BLU released an EP 'Illusions' on New York House DJ Kerri Chandler Label Madtech.[9]
In 2014, Ill Blu signed to Island Records,[10] releasing 2 EPs The Blu Magic Project & The Blu Oceans Project.[11]
In 2018, iLL BLU signed to RCA.[12] Their first single was "Chop My Money"; it featured Krept & Konan, Loski and ZieZie.[13] The song was successful and was certified Silver by the BPI.[14]
They also produced ZieZie's "Fine Girl", which was certified Platinum by the BPI,[15] and MoStack's "What I Wanna",[16] which was certified Gold that year.[17]
Ill Blu spent a large part of 2019 behind the boards producing for artists such Headie One, Hardy Caprio, C. Tangana, Young T & Bugsey, Not3s & IAMDDB; they also produced Mostack's single "Shine Girl" featuring Stormzy & majority of his debut album Stacko,[18] which peaked at number 3 on the UK Albums Chart.[19]
In 2020, the duo released “Magic”, featuring OFB, Bandokay & Double Lz.[20] Blending UK garage and drill, the track samples the motif from Sticky's “Triplets”.[21] "Magic" was certified Silver by the BPI.[22] Following the momentum of “Magic”, they released “Dumpa” featuring M24 & Unknown T, fusing the elements of Drill, UK Garage & Dancehall. The chorus borrows vocals from Vybz Kartel's “Dumpa Truck”.[23]
Following the tragic murder of George Floyd at the police brutality in America, iLL BLU felt compelled to highlight the injustice black people faced when dealing with the police in the UK. [24] In January 2021, Ill Blu released "Routine Check 2.0" featuring The Mitchell Brothers & Sneakbo alongside a documentary;[25] the documentary gave several testimonies regarding racial profiling from black people, including Sneakbo.[26]
On 2 April 2021, Ill Blu released The BLUPRiNT, their debut mixtape, which included features from Wretch 32, MoStack, Donaeo, Jillionaire, Geko, 169, Loick Essien & Aida Lae.[27]
Discography
Mixtapes
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| The BLUPRiNT[28] |
|
EPs
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Bellion/Dragon Pop[29] |
|
| Meltdown[30] |
|
| Clapper[31] |
|
| Illusions[32] |
|
| The BLU Magic Project[33] |
|
| The BLU Oceans Project[34] |
|
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [35] | ||||
| "Lonely People"[36] (featuring James Morrison) | 2015 | — | Higher Than Here (Deluxe) | |
| "Win or Lose"[37] (featuring Ann Saunderson) | 2016 | — | Non-album singles | |
| "So Deep"[38] | — | |||
| "Antidote"[39] (featuring Kahlia Bakosi) | — | |||
| "Tribalist (Get to Know)"[40] (featuring Glowie) | 2017 | — | ||
| "Chop My Money"[41] (featuring Krept and Konan, Loski and ZieZie) | 2018 | 64 | The BLUPRINT | |
| "Go Time"[43] (featuring Ay Em, Geko, ZieZie and C.Tangana) | 2019 | — | ||
| "Magic"[44] (featuring OFB, Bandokay and Double Lz) | 2020 | 46 |
| |
| "Dumpa"[45] (featuring M24 and Unknown T) | 70 | |||
| "Routine Check 2.0"[46] (featuring The Mitchell Brothers and Sneakbo) | 2021 | — | ||
| "Eyes On Me"[47] (featuring Danny Byrd) | 2023 | — | Non-Album Singles | |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | ||||
Guest appearances
| Title | Year | Artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Gods Work"[48] | 2020 | IAMDDB | Non-album single |
| "Chocolate Darling"[49] | 2021 | Poundz, Backroad Gee | No Smoke With Out Fire |
| "Sugar & Spice" | 2023 | Dizzee Rascal | - |
Production credits
| Title | Year | Artist(s) | Peak chart positions | Certifications | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [35] | UK | SPA | |||||
| "Frontline" | 2008 | Princess Nyah | — | — | — | Diary of a Princess | |
| "Big Boys" | 2009 | — | — | — | |||
| "Stick Up" | Dotstar | — | — | — | |||
| "Hooligans" | 2010 | Princess Nyah, Ghetts, Griminal | — | — | — | Diary of a Princess | |
| "Wave" | 2011 | Sneakbo | 48 | — | — | BPI: Silver | Non-album singles |
| "Zim Zimma" | 2012 | 35 | — | — | |||
| "Ring A Ling" | 2013 | 27 | — | — | |||
| "Ring A Ling" (Remix) | Sneakbo, Wiley, Krept & Konan | — | — | — | |||
| "Her Name" | Sneakbo, L Marshall | — | — | — | |||
| "Yolo" | Jacob Banks | — | — | — | The Monologue | ||
| "Move Back" | Stylo G | 81 | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| "Oceans 2" | 2014 | JP Cooper | — | — | — | Keep The Quiet Out | |
| "Dr Who" | Tujamo, Plastik Funk, Sneakbo | 21 | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| "Take Me Home" | Nick Brewer, Ruby Maze | — | — | — | Warning Light | ||
| "Talk To Me" | 2015 | Nick Brewer, Bibi Bourelly | 19 | — | — |
| Non-album single |
| "Colour Trip" | Iris Gold | — | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| "Right Now" | 2016 | Sneakbo, MoStack, J Spades | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
| "Murder" | MoStack, Moelogo | — | — | — | Gangsta Wid Banter | ||
| "Tool Cool"(Right Here) | Sneakbo, Nyla, | — | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| "Too Cool" Remix | Sneakbo, Nyla, Popcaan, Beenie Man | — | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| "Y" | Geko, Afro B | — | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| "Liar Liar" | MoStack | — | — | — |
| Non-album single | |
| "Liar Liar" Remix | MoStack, Krept & Konan, J Hus | — | — | — | |||
| ‘Whats That (Its A Monsta)" | Young T & Bugsey | — | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| "Let It Ring" | 2017 | MoStack | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
| "Drunk On You" | Geko | — | — | — | Lionheart | ||
| "Let Go" | — | — | — | ||||
| "You Aint Mine" | Kyla, Popcaan | — | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| "Ussy Ussy" | MoStack | — | — | — | High Street Kid | ||
| "I Like It" | — | — | — | ||||
| "Explore Ya" | MoStack, Krept | — | — | — | |||
| "What I Wanna" | 2018 | MoStack | 31 | — | — |
| Stacko |
| "Fine Girl" | Zie Zie | — | — | — |
| Non-album singles | |
| "Sensei" | — | — | — |
| |||
| "Persian" | — | — | — | ||||
| "Litness" | MoStack | 74 | — | — | Non-album singles | ||
| "Got" | Not3s | — | — | — | Take Notes II | ||
| "Living Gravy" | Young T & Bugsey, Not3s | — | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| "Shine Girl" | 2019 | MoStack, Stormzy | 13 | 4 | — |
| Stacko |
| "Stinkin Rich" | MoStack, Dave, J Hus | 19 | 9 | — | |||
| "Make Me Fall In Love" | MoStack, Dolapo | — | — | — | |||
| "Respect & Love" | MoStack | — | 33 | — | |||
| "Girl Diary" | — | 39 | — | ||||
| "Rock with You" | — | — | — | ||||
| "Take Em Down" | — | — | — | ||||
| "Home" | Headie One | — | — | — | Music x Road | ||
| "Pronto Llegara" | C. Tangana, Darell | — | — | 41 | Non-album single | ||
| "Rotate (Clockwise)" | Rak-Su | — | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| "Sponsored" | Hardy Caprio | 70 | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| "Cages 2 Stages" | Tion Wayne | — | — | — | T Waynes World 3 | ||
| "Famous" | IAMDDB | — | — | — | Non-album singles | ||
| "Gods Work" | 2020 | — | — | — | |||
| "More Than Me" | Young T and Bugsey | — | — | — | Plead The 5th | ||
| "Staqdo" | MoStack | 54 | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| ‘Signs" | Aida Lae | — | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| "Chocolate Darling" | 2021 | Poundz, Backroad Gee | — | — | — | "No Smoke Without Fire" | |
| "Dennis Rodman" | Blanco | — | — | — | City of God | ||
| "Sugar & Spice" | 2023 | Dizzee Rascal | — | — | — | — | |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||
Remixes
| Year | Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 'Pull It' | Shystie |
| "Trippin'" | Platnum | |
| "Battle Cry" | Shontelle | |
| "Gotta Have It" | MJ Cole | |
| "Watching Her Move" | Donaeo | |
| "Boxes & Locks" | Mpho | |
| 2010 | "Good Times" (featuring Jodie Connor) | Roll Deep |
| "Greenlight" | ||
| "Parachute" | Cheryl | |
| "I Feel Better" | Hot Chip | |
| "Standing In The Shadows" | Craig David | |
| "OMG" | Sabrina Washington | |
| "Woman World" (featuring Mz Brat & Sadia Ama) | Selah | |
| "Are You Gonna Bang" | Funky Dee | |
| 2012 | "What Can You Do for Me" | Utah Saints |
| 2014 | "Bang Bang" (featuring Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj) | Jessie J |
| "Like I Can" | Sam Smith | |
| "Kisses For Breakfast" (featuring Popcaan) | Melissa Steel | |
| 2015 | "Only Human" | Cheryl |
| "Mami No Like" | Donaeo | |
| 2017 | "One Way" (featuring Noah Cyrus) | One Bit |
| "One Chance To Dance" (featuring Joe Jonas) | Naughty Boy | |
| "No Good For Me" (featuring Jeremih, Yungen & Not3s) | ADP | |
| 2018 | Photographs (featuring Rag'n' Bone Man) | Professor Green |
| "Baby" (featuring Kid Ink, Maleek Berry, RAY BLK) | Yogi | |
| "Tracksuit Love"(featuring Headie One) | Kenny Allstar | |
| "Will Smith" (featuring Not3s) | Geko | |
| 2019 | "Simmer" (featuring Burna Boy) | Mahalia |
| 2020 | "Seen it All" | Everyone You Know |
References
- ^ Keith, James (6 April 2021). "iLL BLU Draft In The Mitchell Brothers, Unknown T, Wretch 32, OFB & More For 'The Bluprint' Mixtape". Complex Networks. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
- ^ Keith, James (10 December 2020). "20 REASONS TO LOVE ILL BLU". trenchtrenchtrench.com. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
- ^ "In The Studio Know With iLL BLU". Superdry. 8 April 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
- ^ Fact (15 February 2011). "Ill Blu: Meltdown EP". Fact Magazine. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ "What Happened to UK Funky? Well, Ill Blu Just Weighed In". www.vice.com. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ "Ill Blu". Discogs. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ "Ill Blu, Bellion / Dragon Pop". Hyperdub. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ "Numbers. Ill Blu - Meltdown". nmbrs.net. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ Ill Blu - Illusions, 2012, retrieved 12 July 2023
- ^ Fact (1 April 2014). "Ill Blu sign to Island Records – hear new single 'Blu Magic'". Fact Magazine. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ Martin, Lauren (12 June 2014). "What Happened to UK Funky? Well, Ill Blu Just Weighed In". Vice News. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
- ^ "iLL BLU Give Us Their Matchday Playlists". SoccerBible. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ iLL BLU (Ft. Krept & Konan, Loski & ZieZie) – Chop My Money, retrieved 11 March 2023
- ^ "Award". BPI. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ "Award". BPI. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ MoStack – What I Wanna, retrieved 11 March 2023
- ^ "Award". BPI. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ "iLL BLU". Genius. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ "Mostack | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ Forrest, Jo (15 March 2020). "iLL BLU ft OFB (Bandokay & Double LZ) release Magic". TotalNtertainment. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ "Ill Blu showcase the best of UK rap in their Choice Mix". Red Bull. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ "Award". BPI. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ "[INTERVIEW] ILL BLU – Viper Mag". Retrieved 11 March 2023.
- ^ Barzey, Whelan. "iLL BLU's documentary 'Routine Check 2.0' – 82 out of 100 | The British Blacklist". Retrieved 12 March 2023.
- ^ Gurnani, Carlos (28 January 2021). "ILL BLU REHASH MITCHELL BROTHERS CLASSIC 'ROUTINE CHECK' ALONGSIDE INFORMATIVE DOCUMENTARY ON RACIAL PROFILING". pierradio.co.uk. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
- ^ Barzey, Whelan (26 February 2021). "ILL BLU'S DOCUMENTARY 'ROUTINE CHECK 2.0' – 82 OUT OF 100". thebritishblacklist.co.uk. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
- ^ Murray, Robin (2 April 2021). "iLL BLU Drop New Mixtape 'The BLUPRiNT'". Clash. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
- ^ The BLUPRiNT by iLL BLU, 2 April 2021, retrieved 18 November 2022
- ^ Bellion / Dragon Pop - Single by iLL BLU, 19 July 2010, retrieved 18 November 2022
- ^ Meltdown - EP by iLL BLU, 14 February 2011, retrieved 18 November 2022
- ^ Clapper - Single by iLL BLU, 14 May 2012, retrieved 18 November 2022
- ^ Illusions - Single by iLL BLU, 22 October 2012, retrieved 18 November 2022
- ^ The BLU Magic Project by iLL BLU, 30 June 2014, retrieved 18 November 2022
- ^ The BLU Oceans Project - EP by iLL BLU, 14 September 2014, retrieved 18 November 2022
- ^ a b "ILL BLU | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
- ^ Lonely People (feat. James Morrison) - Single by iLL BLU, 12 April 2015, retrieved 18 November 2022
- ^ Win or Lose (feat. Ann Saunderson) - Single by iLL BLU, 26 April 2016, retrieved 18 November 2022
- ^ So Deep - Single by iLL BLU, 20 July 2016, retrieved 18 November 2022
- ^ Antidote (feat. Kahlia Bakosi) - Single by iLL BLU, 28 September 2016, retrieved 18 November 2022
- ^ Tribalist (Get To Know) [feat. Glowie] - Single by iLL BLU, 27 October 2017, retrieved 18 November 2022
- ^ Chop My Money (feat. Krept & Konan, Loski & ZieZie) - Single by iLL BLU, 23 August 2018, retrieved 18 November 2022
- ^ a b "British certifications – Ill Blu". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 6 October 2022. Type Ill Blu in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ Go Time (feat. Ay Em, Geko, ZieZie & C. Tangana) - Single by iLL BLU, 30 March 2019, retrieved 18 November 2022
- ^ Magic (feat. OFB, BandoKay & Double Lz) - Single by iLL BLU, 14 March 2020, retrieved 18 November 2022
- ^ Dumpa (feat. M24 & Unknown T) - Single by iLL BLU, 27 May 2020, retrieved 18 November 2022
- ^ Routine Check 2.0 (feat. The Mitchell Brothers & Sneakbo) - Single by iLL BLU, 23 January 2021, retrieved 18 November 2022
- ^ Routine Check 2.0 (feat. The Mitchell Brothers & Sneakbo) - Single by iLL BLU, 23 January 2021, retrieved 18 November 2022
- ^ God's Work (feat. iLL BLU) by IAMDDB, 17 January 2020, retrieved 18 November 2022
- ^ Chocolate Darling (feat. BackRoad Gee & iLL BLU) - Single by POUNDZ, 22 April 2021, retrieved 18 November 2022
