When Bilal's debut album 1st Born Second was released in 2001, things were looking bright for the soul/jazz musician's solo career. As a member of the Soulquarians, Bilal brought his voice not only to the collective's all-star lineup, but also to the numerous albums its members would go on to produce.
But when his sophomore follow up Love For Sale was all but abandoned by Interscope Records (the album was eventually leaked on Internet in 2006), Bilal turned to the one thing he knows best to get through it all: his music.
The result is Airtight's Revenge,his second (or, more accurately, third) solo offering. Released in September by indie label Plug Research, Bilal recently hit the road in support of the album. He will headline the Commonwealth Lounge in Fullerton on Wednesday, Oct. 27.
Heard Mentality
caught up with Bilal while on the road for a quickie.
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OC Weekly (Justin Shady): You've been a guest on the albums of tons of artists, yet your newest album (Airtight's Revenge) is your first official
commercial solo outing in nearly 10 years. Is having your own album more fulfilling than being a guest on someone else's album?
while there I cut a track with Om'Mas Keith, (Erykah) Badu and Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, and
another with Daedelus. I do my best to keep creative at all times. None
of us knew that Love For Sale wasn't coming out when we were working on it.
Everyone keeps saying I've been absent from doing this for ten years, but while
we were cutting Love For Sale it was with the intention of releasing it. My
feelings were the same as when cutting 1st Born Second. The difference between
those two albums and Airtight's Revenge is that I did Airtight's Revenge as therapy and a remedy for myself. Plug Research just happened to really like it, but it was
originally made as a way to bring myself back to a good creative and personal
space.
As stated above, Airtight's Revenge was a therapy of sorts; a way for me to deal with the “debacle.” It's also me
growing up. I was still very young when I made Love For Sale.
entire album again?
Second. I guess the only difference was post-production. It does feel good to
have full creative freedom.
record industry has become it's you. What's wrong with the industry and what can
artists do to not contribute to it? Is there truly any real way around it?
small indie label now and I have much more control; not just creatively, but
overall. I think it's always on the artist. We choose our own representation and
make a conscious effort to either accept the direction they want us to be
going in or to create it. I learned a lot of lessons but none that have made me
bitter or upset. These lessons have made me a wiser and more open man. I
approach things differently now.
So far so good. Some fans are a little uptight 'cause they wanted (tracks like) “Soul Sista” or “Sometimes.” Other fans are totally happy
to see me do me. I think overall it's been very good. I am happy.
know where to look for it, is there any chance that it will ever have a true
proper release?
tracks I really loved.
your next solo album or do you already have plans for a follow-up to “Airtight's
Revenge”?
will get back in the studio. My creative juices are flowing rather nicely now. Fans
shouldn't have to wait another nine years, but it will take the amount of time that
it takes.
Where: The Commonwealth Lounge, Fullerton
When: Wednesday, October 27
Cost: $12
Visit CommonwealthLounge.com
for more info.
