Ill Blu

iLL BLU
Origin	London, England
Genres	Electronic UK funky UK garage afroswing house drill hip hop drum and bass jungle
Occupation(s)	Record producers, songwriters, DJs
Years active	2008–present
Labels	Island RCA Hyperdub Numbers Armada
Members	James Grant Darius Ellington
Website	illblu.com

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, the latter of which was named one of Pitchfork's Top 100 Tracks of 2011.[8][9]

In 2012, iLL BLU released an EP 'Illusions' on New York House DJ Kerri Chandler Label Madtech.[10]

In 2014, Ill Blu signed to Island Records,[11] releasing 2 EPs The Blu Magic Project & The Blu Oceans Project.[12]

In 2018, iLL BLU signed to RCA.[13] Their first single was "Chop My Money"; it featured Krept & Konan, Loski and ZieZie.[14] The song was successful and was certified Silver by the BPI.[15]

They also produced ZieZie's "Fine Girl", which was certified Platinum by the BPI,[16] and MoStack's "What I Wanna",[17] which was certified Gold that year.[18]

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,[19] which peaked at number 3 on the UK Albums Chart.[20]

In 2020, the duo released “Magic”, featuring OFB, Bandokay & Double Lz.[21] Blending UK garage and drill, the track samples the motif from Sticky's “Triplets”.[22] "Magic" was certified Silver by the BPI.[23] 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”.[24]

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. [25] In January 2021, Ill Blu released "Routine Check 2.0" featuring The Mitchell Brothers & Sneakbo alongside a documentary;[26] the documentary gave several testimonies regarding racial profiling from black people, including Sneakbo.[27]

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.[28]

Discography

Mixtapes

List of mixtapes, with selected details

Title	Details
The BLUPRiNT[29]	Released: 2 April 2021 Label: RCA Records Format: streaming, digital download

EPs

List of EPs, with selected details

Title	Details
Bellion/Dragon Pop[30]	Released: 19 July 2010 Label: Hyperdub Format: 12" vinyl, streaming, digital download
Meltdown[31]	Released: 14 February 2011 Label: Numbers Format: 12" vinyl, streaming, digital download
Clapper[32]	Released: 14 May 2012 Label Hyperdub Format: 12" vinyl, streaming, digital download
Illusions[33]	Released: 22 October 2012 Label: Madtech Format: streaming, digital download
The BLU Magic Project[34]	Released: 30 May 2014 Label: Island Records Format: streaming, digital download
The BLU Oceans Project[35]	Released: 14 September 2014 Label: Island Records Format: streaming, digital download

Singles

List of singles, with selected peak chart positions

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Certifications	Album
		UK [36]
"Lonely People"[37] (featuring James Morrison)	2015	—		Higher Than Here (Deluxe)
"Win or Lose"[38] (featuring Ann Saunderson)	2016	—		Non-album singles
"So Deep"[39]		—
"Antidote"[40] (featuring Kahlia Bakosi)		—
"Tribalist (Get to Know)"[41] (featuring Glowie)	2017	—
"Chop My Money"[42] (featuring Krept and Konan, Loski and ZieZie)	2018	64	BPI: Silver[43]	The BLUPRINT
"Go Time"[44] (featuring Ay Em, Geko, ZieZie and C.Tangana)	2019	—
"Magic"[45] (featuring OFB, Bandokay and Double Lz)	2020	46	BPI: Silver[43]
"Dumpa"[46] (featuring M24 and Unknown T)		70
"Routine Check 2.0"[47] (featuring The Mitchell Brothers and Sneakbo)	2021	—
"Eyes On Me"[48] (featuring Danny Byrd)	2023	—		Non-Album Singles
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances

List of guest appearances, showing song title, year released, other artists and album name

Title	Year	Artist(s)	Album
"Gods Work"[49]	2020	IAMDDB	Non-album single
"Chocolate Darling"[50]	2021	Poundz, Backroad Gee	No Smoke With Out Fire
"Sugar & Spice"	2024	Dizzee Rascal	Don't Take it Personal

Production credits

List of production credits, showing song title, year released, artists, certification and album name

Title	Year	Artist(s)	Peak chart positions			Certifications	Album
			UK [36]	UK R&B	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	—	—	BPI: Silver	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	—	—	—	BPI: Silver	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	—	—	BPI: Gold	Stacko
"Fine Girl"		Zie Zie	—	—	—	BPI: Platinum	Non-album singles
"Sensei"			—	—	—	BPI: Silver
"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	—	BPI: Silver	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	—	—	—		Don't Take It Personal
"—" 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

1. 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.
2. Keith, James (10 December 2020). "20 REASONS TO LOVE ILL BLU". trenchtrenchtrench.com. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
3. "In The Studio Know With iLL BLU". Superdry. 8 April 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
4. Fact (15 February 2011). "Ill Blu: Meltdown EP". Fact Magazine. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
5. "What Happened to UK Funky? Well, Ill Blu Just Weighed In". www.vice.com. 12 June 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
6. "Ill Blu". Discogs. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
7. "Ill Blu, Bellion / Dragon Pop". Hyperdub. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
8. "Numbers. Ill Blu - Meltdown". nmbrs.net. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
9. "The Top 100 Tracks of 2011". Pitchfork. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
10. Ill Blu - Illusions, 2012, retrieved 12 July 2023
11. Fact (1 April 2014). "Ill Blu sign to Island Records – hear new single 'Blu Magic'". Fact Magazine. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
12. Martin, Lauren (12 June 2014). "What Happened to UK Funky? Well, Ill Blu Just Weighed In". Vice News. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
13. "iLL BLU Give Us Their Matchday Playlists". SoccerBible. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
14. iLL BLU (Ft. Krept & Konan, Loski & ZieZie) – Chop My Money, retrieved 11 March 2023
15. "Award". BPI. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
16. "Award". BPI. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
17. MoStack – What I Wanna, retrieved 11 March 2023
18. "Award". BPI. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
19. "iLL BLU". Genius. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
20. "Mostack | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". www.officialcharts.com. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
21. Forrest, Jo (15 March 2020). "iLL BLU ft OFB (Bandokay & Double LZ) release Magic". TotalNtertainment. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
22. "Ill Blu showcase the best of UK rap in their Choice Mix". Red Bull. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
23. "Award". BPI. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
24. "[INTERVIEW] ILL BLU – Viper Mag". 12 November 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
25. Barzey, Whelan (26 February 2021). "iLL BLU's documentary 'Routine Check 2.0' – 82 out of 100 | The British Blacklist". Retrieved 12 March 2023.
26. 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.
27. Barzey, Whelan (26 February 2021). "ILL BLU'S DOCUMENTARY 'ROUTINE CHECK 2.0' – 82 OUT OF 100". thebritishblacklist.co.uk. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
28. Murray, Robin (2 April 2021). "iLL BLU Drop New Mixtape 'The BLUPRiNT'". Clash. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
29. The BLUPRiNT by iLL BLU, 2 April 2021, retrieved 18 November 2022
30. Bellion / Dragon Pop - Single by iLL BLU, 19 July 2010, retrieved 18 November 2022
31. Meltdown - EP by iLL BLU, 14 February 2011, retrieved 18 November 2022
32. Clapper - Single by iLL BLU, 14 May 2012, retrieved 18 November 2022
33. Illusions - Single by iLL BLU, 22 October 2012, retrieved 18 November 2022
34. The BLU Magic Project by iLL BLU, 30 June 2014, retrieved 18 November 2022
35. The BLU Oceans Project - EP by iLL BLU, 14 September 2014, retrieved 18 November 2022
36. "ILL BLU | full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 10 March 2022.
37. Lonely People (feat. James Morrison) - Single by iLL BLU, 12 April 2015, retrieved 18 November 2022
38. Win or Lose (feat. Ann Saunderson) - Single by iLL BLU, 26 April 2016, retrieved 18 November 2022
39. So Deep - Single by iLL BLU, 20 July 2016, retrieved 18 November 2022
40. Antidote (feat. Kahlia Bakosi) - Single by iLL BLU, 28 September 2016, retrieved 18 November 2022
41. Tribalist (Get To Know) [feat. Glowie] - Single by iLL BLU, 27 October 2017, retrieved 18 November 2022
42. Chop My Money (feat. Krept & Konan, Loski & ZieZie) - Single by iLL BLU, 23 August 2018, retrieved 18 November 2022
43. "British certifications – Ill Blu". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 6 October 2022. Type Ill Blu in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
44. Go Time (feat. Ay Em, Geko, ZieZie & C. Tangana) - Single by iLL BLU, 30 March 2019, retrieved 18 November 2022
45. Magic (feat. OFB, BandoKay & Double Lz) - Single by iLL BLU, 14 March 2020, retrieved 18 November 2022
46. Dumpa (feat. M24 & Unknown T) - Single by iLL BLU, 27 May 2020, retrieved 18 November 2022
47. Routine Check 2.0 (feat. The Mitchell Brothers & Sneakbo) - Single by iLL BLU, 23 January 2021, retrieved 18 November 2022
48. Routine Check 2.0 (feat. The Mitchell Brothers & Sneakbo) - Single by iLL BLU, 23 January 2021, retrieved 18 November 2022
49. God's Work (feat. iLL BLU) by IAMDDB, 17 January 2020, retrieved 18 November 2022
50. Chocolate Darling (feat. BackRoad Gee & iLL BLU) - Single by POUNDZ, 22 April 2021, retrieved 18 November 2022