Let me first start off by saying if you haven’t gotten Airtight’s Revenge you may want to go get on it ASAP! The creativity of Bilal is INSANE! A musical, free spirited genius with a bifurcated perspective on how he develops “feel good” music. He’s either inspired or not and has not a problem with addressing his eclectic perspective on music of all genres.
Our initial chat started “Pre-Show” where he discussed his cut from Airtight’s Revenge, “Flying”.
Soulistic Diva: The song is just CRAZY, your voice, and the story, just everything. So what was the concept behind that song?
Bilal: I just wanted to tell a crazy tale, a dark tale about someone that didn’t have a happy ending. That’s what I’ve been trying to do, like a Blues or Rap song. I would always love when an MC would tell a rhyme and you could close your eyes and see the story, that’s what the whole concept behind that. I was like, man, I want to make a joint where cats could just see the picture and go on a journey with me.
Here is snippet of flying for those of you that are slightly behind. LOL!
When asked about the shelved album, Bilal was forthcoming about his logic behind making good music and what really happened.
Soulistic Diva: Why did it take so long for you to come back out with another album? From my understanding there was another album that was supposed to drop. Did you shelve it because it was leaked? What exactly happened?
Bilal: The album was leaked and there were a lot of politics behind what I was trying to do with it and I just decided to part ways with the label I was with. This new album, I make music when I feel like I should make music, I don’t really like to bang out some “stuff” I don’t really feel. And I felt like I had gotten to a point in my career where that’s what I was doing so…that’s what happened.
When asked about Soulquarians Bilal made it clear that group of people from the Vibe Magazine photo shoot are friends and not an actual group.
Bilal: We’re just a group of friends that get together and make good music and we called ourselves Soulquarians. From time to time we collaborate on one another’s music but other than that, we’re just friends and there aren’t any real talks of an album. We just kick it, that’s pretty much it.
Bilal then talks about his recent meeting with Common at an event and Common’s upcoming album. He even suggests that he may collaborate with him on that effort but nothing was official as of yet. Can’t wait to hear what the two creative geniuses come up with.
::SHOWTIME::
After a laid back session with Bilal and some Jerk Wings and Mac and Cheese (Yes, I order the infamous Jerk Wings and Mac and Cheese at the Park) I was ready for the show and snagged a great view on the 4th floor over the stage.
Bilal passes my friend and I as he hits the elevator and makes it to the stage. Drink in hand, he waits for his que and opens. The crowd goes absolutely crazy when he opens with what almost sounds like a Jimmy Hendricks cut mixed with a little BeBe King but as discovered before, Bilal is a lover of Blues.
Bilal unfortunately did not play everyone’s all-time favorite “Soul Sistah” but he did throw “Sometimes” in there. To close, he went absolutely crazy jumping on the railings of the stage and of course at that point he had lost a few layers of clothing.
This was my first time seeing him EVER perform and I can say that I was not disappointed. Bilal is an eccentric individual and definitely a crowd pleaser. He did mention that he has a few shows coming and they are still working out final dates so be on the look out!
By the way---Don’t forget to check out the next BBE Unplugged @the Park and 14th in DC.
Until next time, I’ll catch ya later but until then, keep listening and continue to be inspired.
Thanks BBE!
Signing off! Soulistic Diva aka @Sistahofsoul
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