“Blue” is more than a color; it’s a sound. Dave B proclaimed his black excellence on his newest 10-track album, Bleu, finding common ground between fame and keeping a true heart. He speaks on tranquility and love, and he showed nothing but that at his listening party on Friday night. Surrounded by close friends and family at The Collective, he shared pieces of himself that made us all sing and dance along.

Every hour that Bleu cycled, the project’s aesthetic and significance showed. Listening to the album at the drop, I already had picked my favorites. Songs like album opener “Peace” and mid-cut “Show Me” hyped my mood and the room as the DJ played the album. We all unwound to the congenial music as track after track unearthed Dave B’s excellence.

“Peace” exudes power with lyrics like, “peace, blessings, black excellence, that’s me, yes,” delivering a powerful message of reassurance in his worth and his melanin. Worth can’t only be seen in words, though. In “Show Me,” Dave B states, “I’m hard of hearing, you gonna have to show me,” spreading one of the most useful lessons in anyone’s life: actions speak louder than words. His actions spoke loud, as Dave B surfed through the crowd to give love to everyone who came. Taking a step out of the music, his strength, personality, and dedication spoke for his excellence as a black man, practicing exactly what he is preaching in the album Bleu.

The night was DJed by U Moore, who filled breaks with tributes to Nipsey Hussle and mixes of some of the hottest tracks out today. The ambiance became transcendent, as there was an array of vibes for every mood. Everything from hammock net beds, little couches, hidden cubbies, a dance floor, and games of corn hole was present, providing a diversified vibe for all who came to enjoy the sounds of Bleu. Dave B’s true essences became  more than a color, but a sound and a mood we all can relate to.