Bilal

Bilal Oliver is a neo-soul singer from Philadelphia, United States. He is associated with the Soulquarians collective and is also a member of the Black Rock Coalition. His work sits within soul and neo-soul, and he is known as a US jazz and neo-soul vocalist.

Background and training

Born in 1979, Bilal is trained in classical music at the Mannes Music Conservatory in New York. That training shapes his approach to jazz, voice, and big band arrangements. He also writes both music and lyrics, and is reported to be able to perform opera in seven languages.

Recording career

His debut album, 1st Born Second, appears on Interscope Records in 2001. He later releases material through labels including Plug Research, E1 Music, and Jazzmen Publishing. His second full-length album, Airtight's Revenge, arrives in 2010 and draws praise for its lyrical detail and experimental sound.

An earlier project, Love for Sale, is leaked and becomes an underground favourite despite not receiving an official release. He also releases the mixtape Retrospective of the Man Called Bilal as part of the run-up to A Love Surreal, and the single “Back To Love” follows. His later album A Love Surreal is described as having a warmer, more acoustic feel than his previous work.

Collaborations and appearances

Bilal frequently works with artists from the neo-soul and alternative hip hop scenes, including Common, Erykah Badu, Talib Kweli, and The Roots. He also records a version of Radiohead’s “High & Dry” for the tribute release Exit Music: Songs With Radio Heads. He appears in Dave Chappelle's Block Party.

Early career

In 1995, he meets Faulu Mtume and Damu Mtume in a Philadelphia barbershop. After he plays them a demo, they encourage him to pursue commercial recording, changing his original plans to work on film scores.