I just bought his lp yesterday and from hearing it right now in the backround, I can't tell whats so similar between his music and Musiq's music

PPL be making "Bilal Vs Musiq" whenever there's an article about 'em. But the fact remains, they're waaayyy different from each other, while Musiq's style is more Stevie Wonderish, Bilal's style on the other hand is edgy/dark which is what I love. Don't get me wrong, I like Musiq but after hearing Bilal, I felt a hard slap on my face once I heard him singing "When will you call me" or "Queen of sanity" the 1st time, I can tell there'll be a GREAT future 4 this brutha. Wish I heard/seen him live tho, so his picture in my mind remians perfect.

His mellow tracks are his BEST and my FAVE track in his LP is "Queen of sanity". He can bring the falsetto voice amazingly, not 2 mention a voice full o' passion and anger. I love that,,,

Off topic and it doesn't matta anyway but I "wanna" know, is he Muslim?? Another Q , where can I hear his version of "HCYDCMAM"??

Oh yeah, any fans of Bilal??

I had the album, but got rid of it. "Sometimes" is straight out of the Prince cannon.

I think he's great!

Great voice. Lots of Prince and D'Angelo overtones.

Good songs. Some originality. Can't wait for the next release.

Much beter than Musiq. Musiq has one tone, kinda like Keanu Reeves as an actor. Musiq sux IMO.

Supernova said:

At 1st I didn't like this song but now its growing in me.

feltbluish said:

Yep, he's sho nuff betta than Musiq but Soulchild is still my homeboy

Supernova said:

I did the same, but not for any Prince-related reasons.
It was very annoying; all those funny voices with no real deep musical depth.

I steered way clear of Musiq. He works too hard at
being a sub-literate. Too pretentious. NOt a whole lotta musicality either.

PFunkjazz said:

Oh, I'd never get rid of something like that because he sounded like Prince on that song. The whole thing just didn't hold my attention enough. But I recorded "Sometimes" after I got rid of the cd just because I like it.

I'm not too high on any of the so-called "Neo Soul" artists really.

Album did not live up to the hype. Some of the lyrics and themes of the songs try to make him seem as if he had this tough inner-city up brining. When in actuality he is from a middle class family of professionals.

Ifsixwuz9 said:

or heavily studied in music as he attended some conservatory in NY o r PA. A real lightweight as per this album's credits.

Believe it or not he actually studied VOICE. I guess it was to be a ventriloquist, eh?

you guys are being too hard on Bilal..I mean damn...fuckin snobs what the hell do you want to hear? What will make you happy?

rdhull said:

I want my $8.99 back! Piece o'shit wasn't worth $1.99!!

u Stones-fuck

Bilal's official site: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Bilal/

His second album has been/is continuing to be recorded at ElectricLady studios NYC and will be released on Dr Dre's Aftermath inprint.

Check him most recently on new Red Hot & Riot LP and Talib Kweli's new single "Waiting for the DJ" along with many other colaborations.

PFunkjazz said:

but Im serious..Im really baffled when people say they dont like it etc..I mean all the cuts are different, different voice technique, sound etc...it feels warm to me like Dangelo, Eryka etc...ah well.

rdhull said:

OK I'm serious too. I really can't listen to it.
I copped it in the promo bins and thought it would be a great find, but I honestly can't listen to it!!! (then again, I have a big problem with "Wedding Feast" on TRC .

I respect both artist. But who I play and enjoy alot is Bilal. If U get a chance 2 catch him live or get a copy of his live music, U'd dig it. Bilal, D'angelo The Roots, Erykah Badu ...etc...are all well connected. Bilal did some warming up with D'angelo B 4 stepping out 2 the front of the line. I think he can have a very interesting future ahead of himself.

His first cd took alot of creative turns. He's a brotha who has a classical music background solid deep lyrics, power in his vocals mixed with that fearless urban energy. Bilal is a young brotha still, but a old soul like Alicia Keys with the talent 2 back it up as well.

With that old skool lovin of the past that some of these new artist are showing can only B a positive thang. These cats are in search of something deep & far meaningful. Bringing back strong well written lyrics and having songs with pure beautiful content that can strike the soul. Something with a real foundation. Music that can stand the test of time perhaps... Nobody can B on par with Stevie, Marvin G. Donny H. Prince or whoever else we deem as great. But the mere fact that these newer artist are learning about the greats of music history & are tryin 2 branch off from that, 4 there own generation is being truly wise...as well as giving the hightest respect 2 those who paved the way B4 them.

Musiq's "Don't Change" that song with the video...is a wake up call 2 all! That video is showing what everlasting love 4 someone is truly about. Thats being down 4 someone no matter what life may delt out 2 U, & showing that love from inside of ones soul can out weigh even your darkest dayz...and that having the grace of God around U, brings the light of greater understanding & peace.

I'll B honest...that video pulled a tear out of me. Thats what music & a powerful message does...it moves U.

UsexyMF said:

Well said!

PFunkjazz said:

That's messed up.

rdhull said:

Seriously RD, I would have enjoyed the album better if he had left out the "inner city blues" stuff. It just screams FAKE.

Ifsixwuz9 said:

naw he got the joke; we were just fuckin around. right RD?

PFunkjazz said:

Oh I know Rd, always gets on me for not liking anything.

UsexyMF said:

USMF, everything you say is true. But when I listen to a new artist for the first time it has nothing to do with preconceived expectations of blowing me away and being as good as so and so. I just want it to hold my attention from a musical standpoint.

Back in 1994 when I first listened to Plantation Lullabies by Meshell Ndegéocello I wasn't expecting much, considering the climate of music at that time (that still exists today). And actually it took me a few days to really give it a serious listen because I had bought other cd's at the same time. But when I did finally listen to it all the way through...WOW! There are very few debut albums that hit THAT hard. VERY few. I had totally lost faith in this generation (my generation) of music makers till I listened to Meshell. To me Meshell has the talent and skills to uphold the standards that all the great ones before her laid down as musical law.

I happen to think that many who are attached to the "Neo Soul" moniker by the media have talent and promise. But so far for me, none have compelled me musically nearly as much as Meshell.

But there's one album that I've always heard good things about that I haven't heard yet: Erykah Badu's Mama's Gun. I couldn't get into her debut album really. My nephew had it and swore up and down I would love it, and he knows how I can be picky sometimes with music. It just didn't stick to my ribs after listening to it over and over.

PFunkjazz said:

Sheeeit, its all Kool and the Gang (btw I saw that Tattoo You and TRC disc hidden in your Muddy Waters cd case heheehee)

rdhull said:

I've got 3 copies of TRC!!!
I honestly liked it ...at first.
I had SOME GIRLS on LP long ago. but no-go on cd!

PFunkjazz said:

I bet if you revisit it you'd become a Stones fan again..no lie. Some Girls is powerful and ages well.

Bilal is a Hit&Miss Cat with Me overall.far more Insteresting Vocally than Musiq IMHO.but I'm not big on Neo SOul.I hear things in different people that if it all Came together you'd have One Helluva Artist.Me'Shall has things,Maxwell has things,D'angelo has things.Badu has a few,etc.. but on a whole I'm not getting that Complete Artist overall IMHO.

USMF, everything you say is true. But when I listen to a new artist for the first time it has nothing to do with preconceived expectations of blowing me away and being as good as so and so. I just want it to hold my attention from a musical standpoint.
**On that, I do want it 2 hold my attention as well. When it does, it gives me some faith that there are some worthy artist 2 get in2.

Back in 1994 when I first listened to Plantation Lullabies by Meshell Ndegéocello I wasn't expecting much, considering the climate of music at that time (that still exists today). And actually it took me a few days to really give it a serious listen because I had bought other cd's at the same time. But when I did finally listen to it all the way through...WOW! There are very few debut albums that hit THAT hard. VERY few. I had totally lost faith in this generation (my generation) of music makers till I listened to Meshell. To me Meshell has the talent and skills to uphold the standards that all the great ones before her laid down as musical law.

I happen to think that many who are attached to the "Neo Soul" moniker by the media have talent and promise. But so far for me, none have compelled me musically nearly as much as Meshell.

But there's one album that I've always heard good things about that I haven't heard yet: Erykah Badu's Mama's Gun. I couldn't get into her debut album really. My nephew had it and swore up and down I would love it, and he knows how I can be picky sometimes with music. It just didn't stick to my ribs after listening to it over and over.[/quote]

*** I hear that, Meshell is a dyno-bad talented woman & I do respect & dig her artistry.

I really like bilal I can't wait for his new album to come out. I f you get a chance to see him live please do he and his band are tight.

rdhull said:

:LOL: why u trying to imply I was ONCE a Stones fan? Never; never; never. To this day, I only like "I Miss You" on that album.

For blues rock by whiteboys, I must admit to a pro-American bias. I much prefer the ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND. They reformed the band in the 90s and have sounded really good!

USMF--You really hit the nail on them heads, thanx 4 backing a sistah's

Its really REALLY strange but you know what?? I agree with Supernova and MisterMaxx on the "Neo Soul" hype machine. Its seems that everyone is heading 2 that route ya know?? But the funny part is I don't have a problem with that at all I mean when I hear this generation (my generation) of music makers I go back 2 this Neo-Soul shit

I may sound kinda desperate by saying that but shit I'm LIKING IT. Complaining and bitching won't hurt nobody but me so I may as well stick 2 whats "betta" these days. And Bilal doesn't have a depth in his voice??? What-eva, some of ya'll are tripping hard.
[This message was edited Wed Oct 16 10:01:13 PDT 2002 by Harlepolis]

I have Bilal live cd @ sobs its pretty cool gig