Storyteller Free spirit, Musician Bilal oft sultry guitar, Tight’s Revenge. deep intoxicating bass entwined with Shel: It’s good to have you back S passionate vocals but why the long wait? touched by the magic of the Bilal: It’s just the politics that piano or MUSIC as the man I’ve been going through with himself defines his desire is the record being bootlegged. what he wishes to be known I also went through some for and recoils at any mention things with the label that I was of being pigeonholed. “I don’t with and then the album was like being in a box. I see myself shelved and we decided to just as a free spirit and I come from part ways. a free flow.” His sound embod- Shel: So the new album is Air ies an undeniable soulful qual- tight’s Revenge, could you ity which most will remember tell us a bit about it? Is there a from his 1st Born Second, in particular message that you 2001, when tracks like “Some- want to promote? times” and “Fast Lane” gained Bilal: Well, ‘Air Tight’ is really him much notoriety. We give an old mix-tape of mine and you the multi-talented Bilal ‘Revenge’ is the whole thing Oliver! that happened to me with my Waiting for so long for the last record being bootlegged. I return of the mogul has been don’t know why it’s taken me truly heart wrenching but it so long and just the fact of all feels great to finally be blessed the stuff that I’ve been through with his talents again. His path hasn’t slowed me down or was first carved out of the stopped me from making music. humble church beginnings in It’s the revenge thing. Philadelphia, which would later Shel: You wrote one of the grow into a strong relationship singles “Who Are You” after with Jazz and song writing. As watching a documentary (it his passion expanded so did his was inspired by the 2007 docu- connections; and soon the likes mentary Zeitgeist: The Movie,) of The Roots, Q Tip, Common, Bilal: Yea, it was like a conspir- Erykah Badu and Mos Def all acy theory type of documen-

had his respect. Things kept tary. WORDS BY: moving and it wasn’t long Shel: Do you often get inspira- before he had landed a deal tion from such films? with Interscope. Set-backs Bilal: Yea, I kind of draw inspi- from his second album Love ration from everything you SHELLEY PESTAINA for Sale were disheartening know. I had conversations with but with the encouragement various musicians and we all of his fans Bilal is back in the kind of watched it while we studio with a new fiery energy were in the studio, working on that’s got ears perked at the the album. A lot of the songs ready. Welcome the story of Air that I make come out of conver-

September 2010 Musicology 33 BILAL - SOUL SISTER cats to cut their hair this year!” ::Laughs:: Na, I don’t know. I cut my hair cause the shit itched. It’s too long! I started getting bad dandruff. Shel: Because of the whole situ- ation with record labels right now, are you excited about this new era of total creative free- dom which artists have access to? Bilal: Yea, I’m very excited about that because like I said that’s my whole concept of music. I feel like it’s got to be free and just create. Shel: Will you be touring soon? Bilal: Yea I’m about to start a tour in the US, in the middle of September and we’re going to rock it all the way in to Novem- ber. Then hopefully I can go to Japan and then come back over to Europe. Shel: Will we be seeing you over here in the UK at all? Bilal: For sure! I was just over there with a show with Benji B about two months ago; not even it was in July. Bilal’s embodiment and appre- ciation for his music are still as healthy as they’ve ever been. It seems unlike the tale of Samson this storyteller’s strength cannot be deterred with the shedding of follicles. Hopefully we won’t have to wait for another era to be granted some more classics. Highlighted quotes: “I grew up on so many differ- ent styles of music, so I’m not really cool with being called one thing. I rather just be called a musician. I do music.” NEO-SOUL HOTLIST

Musiq Soulchild Embodying a blend of soul, funk and hip-hop, born Talib Johnson, Musiq Soulchild truly arrived on the music scene with the release of the album Luvanmusiq. “B.U.D.D.Y” was the single that constantly became synonymous with the Top 5 of the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Chart for 16 weeks. Not much is known of the star’s childhood; only that he was always musical. He was raised with 8 brothers and 1 sister. Some vocal contributions have included Roots “Break You Off” and Carlos Santana’s 2002 “Shamen”. His new 6th studio album is set for a 2010 release.

Jazmine Sullivan The protégé of none other than Missy Elliot herself; Jazmine Sullivan is an American R&B singer. She also projects strong influences of reggae, dub, pop, jazz and classical. Her rise to fame came with the release of the single “Need You Bad” featuring Missy Elliot, which reached the number one. A 2005 graduate of the school of the Philadelphia high school for the Creative and Perform- ing Arts is hold another place on her list of achievements. Her debut album was released on the 23rd September 2008 on which she was the executive producer. Jazmine has also sung backing vocals for the Kindred the Family Soul’s debut album. The video for her new single “Hold- ing You Down” (Going in Circles) has premiered recently. It serves as the 1st single from her upcoming album Love Me Back.

Jill Scott The start of her career began with reading her own poetry. After being heard by Amir [drummer from the Roots], a situ- ation was presented for a joint composition of “You got Me” a top pop hit in1999. Other collaborations with Eric Benet and Common led to more promotion and it wasn’t long till the star was singed to Steve McKeever’s Hidden Beach Recordings label, releasing her debut album Who is Jil Scott? In 2000. Other accolades include her Grammy nomination in 2003 for “Best Female Vocal Performance” for “A Long Walk.” With music growing from strength to strength Jill has also focused on Acting including the lead role in the BBC hit “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency” , “Sins of the Mother” and “Why did I get married too” 37