If there are two guys in this world that need to actually collaborate, they’re 7even:Thirty and Bilal. They share a knack for otherwordly ideas and unparalleled creativity. Read the rest of this entry »

The video for Bilal’s “Robots” came with a PR that encouraged that it be shared with the intent of helping “the robots amongst us.”

“On this Election Day 2010, Bilal teams up with French director Mikael Colombu to bring you the official music video for Bilal’s “Robots.” Come along and join us on this multi-media journey as we see the world of politics through Bilal’s eyes. Mikael’s ability to translate Bilal’s words into imagery, gives us a chance to properly reflects on his ideology of modern times.

“To Bilal, people are becoming more like robots through the use of manipulative propaganda by corporate media. This video is his way of opening everyone’s eyes to the truth. As you watch “Robots” you’ll soon find yourself paying very close attention to what is really going on.”

Bilal’s Airtight’s Revenge is in stores and on iTunes now.

After yet another productive outing this week, we all deserve a drink – or five – over the weekend. Read the rest of this entry »

Leaks happen when promo copies and advance releases are sent to those irresponsible few music journalists, bloggers and chronologists who use their power for evil. Or when an industry insider lets a big ego get the best of the product he’s holding. Or when a few confidants betray their artist friend. Or when a manager becomes disgruntled. Before you know it the distant drip, drip, drip of a faulty faucet rushes deep into the cavern of the ears of the masses, like some Niagara Falls of song. And it all starts with that one evil-doer and his or her promo and power, or so they say.

They. The proverbial They, that shadowy group of finger-pointing, holier-than-thou, stone-casting folks who bear no brunt of the responsibility for why albums like Bilal Oliver’s progressive Love For Sale are shelved indefinitely.

Well this is the week of Airtight’s Revenge. And we here at TSS held our advance of Bilal’s new album with unflappable stoicism and white knuckles, because this is a project you want to own and you need to pay for. As I found out from the man himself, projects this comprehensive come along after a lot of time, consideration and artistry. And for that, you must reward the laborer to enjoy his harvest.

Bilal Oliver has been a brawny, muscled force in music’s Homeland Security Department of Quality Over Quantity. Whether you first heard his smokey tone wisp over the horn and organ cover of Radiohead’s “High And Dry,” or hook on the inside of the door to Common’s classic “6th Sense,” or float lithely betwixt the roots of a career and man that grew from the line “Sometimes I hope I live to see 25,” you know Bilal.

Because we wouldn’t leave you, our faithful friends, in complete want of cost-free entertainment, here’s our 15-minute opportunity to get to know the man a bit better, and find out how an artist gets flood insurance against a leak in the age of the Internet.

TSS: So are you happy that you lived to see 25?

Bilal: (Laughs) Yeah. Yes, I’m very happy about that.

TSS: Well, what has happened in the past 10 years that you feel you’ve grown as a person or an artist that has brought you to this point that has brought you to Airtight’s Revenge?

Bilal: I mean a lot of shit has happened. I’ve done some awesome shows, I’ve done some cool collaborations with good people, and personally I’ve had some beautiful children and I’ve got a cool little family going now.

TSS: As an artist, what is it about Airtight’s Revenge that defines who you are now? Explain to me a little about the evolution of this album; how you came to the album name and how you created the music.

Bilal: The name Airtight’s Revenge was kind of addressing the last couple of years. One of the reasons why I hadn’t put out an album in the last nine years was because the album I was doing in 2006/2005 was bootlegged. It was the album I was doing for Interscope.

TSS: The Love For Sale album.

Bilal: Yeah. And I’m really addressing the fact of it being bootlegged, me leaving Interscope, and kind of being in the wind for a minute from all of that. A lot of people would have been done, you know what I mean, and just finished by now. But me? Some really cool things happened, like I got a really cool underground following who really love my music and love to come out and see me perform. So it kind of gave me new legs and a new drive for this thing to just make music and just follow my heart and my own intuition on things. Thing will work out. And no matter what has happened to me, I’ve used that to get better. So my resilience is just my continued drive for this thing. And “Airtight” is just an old nickname.

TSS: After all that happened with [Love For Sale,] it blew me away that you were going to release this song “Free,” for free. What made the decision to actually put something out and give it away, even though a whole album of yours was basically given away?

Bilal: Well, I couldn’t clear the sample, and I really liked the song, so I just put it out that way. The sample, they weren’t going to allow me to clear it, so I just put it out.

TSS: You don’t have any animosity toward the Internet at all?

Bilal: Nah. I know I should, but… it was messed up how it happened, but if it was never bootlegged no one would even know about it, because my label didn’t really understand Love For Sale. So it kind of turned into a bittersweet kind of thing for me, really. Like at first when it was bootlegged I felt like “Aw shit, like, this is bootlegged, everybody’s going to have it.” But what it really turned into was me doing like nonstop shows and touring. It was almost like I had an album out. So, I’m not mad.

TSS: That’s pretty big of you.

Bilal: [Laughing, does impression of LC] “I want you to be mad! I want you to be really mad!”

TSS: I’m not surprised, listening to your music, that you’re not angry. I guess if I were in your place, I’d be angry.

Bilal: It’s nobody for me to be angry at, so, fuck it.

Unlike Maurice, I have yet to hear Bilal’s new album Airtight’s Revenge. I haven’t even partaken to any of the leaks. September 14 (the release date) is only a few weeks away and with all the other new music floating around, I figure I can entertain myself until then. This past weekend Mo’ G. caught up with the man who is emancipating his first studio album since 2001′s 1st Born Second. I’ll let Mr. Garland take it from here. Read the rest of this entry »

“Have we come too far, to turn it all back around? Or is it too late, to start again?”

Mr. Oliver gave you your Free song, and now he’ll give you another in “Restart.” But folks, it’s time to start thinking about shelling out your dollars for this artisan of all things Soul.

Bilal gave us “Free” after coming off a progressive album called Love For Sale that was never really for sale because we, the keyboard elite, downloaded the crap out of it like diamond thieves in a turd-cave industry that may or may not have let the burglars in the back door. That he forgave enough to shake off ill will and give us yet another track for free, is beyond me. Here we get the first single from his forthcoming Airtight’s Revenge. This one is just as aptly titled, as he had to restart the process of album creation under the hope and prayer that this one wouldn’t be hijacked and shelved.

Thank God for release dates. September is coming up quickly, so be prepared to open your wallets for a man who deserves it and has worked doubly hard for his due diligence. Airtight’s Revenge is crazy.

Bilal – “Restart” | Download

Chocolate or vanilla. Beatles or Stones. Pac or Biggie. Of all the contentious match-ups, perhaps the greatest in my circle is D’Angelo or Bilal. Not “who is better?” but rather “who would you put on your album?” Read the rest of this entry »

Simply calling this a “video” may do it a disservice. A “hallucenogic cinematic short centered around the sounds of music” might be the better description. The clip captures the layered feel that composes the majority of Shafiq En A Free Ka‘s songs. And as disjointed as the video (equal parts rollerskating scenes split with shots of Shafiq & Bilal imitating a jazz club setting) and the album may seem, both are seductively appealing, enough to draw you back in for repeat listens to a aural trip you want to experience over & over. Read the rest of this entry »

Ms. Erykah’s fifth studio album, New Amerykah Part II: Return Of The Ankh, will be in stores on March 30th. And while “Window Seat” is the official first single, getting Wayne on “Jump…” as a web-only bonus and going viral with a video isn’t a bad move @ all.

She told you the drizzle was coming earlier. Now watch it pour as the official countdown to New Amerykah Part II: Return Of The Ankh begins where gravity ends. Mz. Badu wants you to “Jump In The Air” where there’s no ceilings… Read the rest of this entry »

The big homie House Shoes sent this over the other day and I’ve been selfish in hogging this for myself; using it to put a bit of dirt back on my soul after having it sweetened by the plethora of rappers selling out for 15 seconds of fame on the R&B route. Read the rest of this entry »

Bilal performing a new track entitled “Levels,” performed recently at the VTech and Plug Research showcase in NYC for CMJ. Video was shot by B+ and Eric Coleman for www.mochilla.com. Read the rest of this entry »

As Shafiq En’ A-Free-Ka album hits stores today, Shafiq Husayn drops off an elaborate remix of “Cheeba,” featuring Bilal on the vocals and production by Nottz. Read the rest of this entry »

In what’s shaping up to be a real souled out Sunday, Suave sent this one through the inbox the other day. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s always good to see a strong song get an even stronger visual to back it up. Read the rest of this entry »