Bilal's classical training at the Mannes Music Conservatory in New York was instrumental to his conversance with Jazz, voice, and big band arrangements. It has also been reported that he is capable of performing opera in seven languages and writes both music and lyrics.
In 1995, Bilal encountered Faulu Mtume, and his brother, Damu Mtume (sons to James Mtume and founders of Moyo Entertainment) at a barber's shop in Philadelphia. His plans to produce film scores was shelved after he handed the brothers a demo recording; they were so impressed that they successfully convinced him to record commercially.
Bilal has also frequently collaborated and performed with several neo-soul and alternative hip hop artists, including Common, Erykah Badu, Talib Kweli, and The Roots. He also covered Radiohead's "High & Dry" for the 2006 Radiohead tribute, Exit Music: Songs With Radio Heads. Bilal appears in Dave Chappelle's Block Party.
His sophomore full-length recording, Love for Sale is rumored to have been shelved after being leaked on the internet. Despite no official release as of yet, Love for Sale has become an underground classic.
In 2010, Bilal released his sophomore album, Airtight's Revenge, 9 years after his debut album. The album was well-received, critics praised his lyrical substance and experimental sound.
Bilal is set to release his 3rd album, A Love Surreal, on February 26, 2013. Bilal explains that the album has a warmer, more acoustic sound compared to his previous works. He released a mixtape leading up to the release in late 2012 called Retrospective of the Man Called Bilal. 6 days after the mixtape was released, he took the wraps off his first single for A Love Surreal, "Back To Love". A video was released the next month. So far, reviews for A Love Surreal are positive, praising Bilal's natural singing talent and lyrics.
All Matter
Bilal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And all so very different
Divine by design
It all intertwines
Ain't nothin' new
But it's always changin'
Movin' still waters
So what is love?
(What is it?)
What is love?
(What is it?)
Cool on the outside
Hot in the middle
Cool on the outside
Hot in the middle but
You ain't even gotta try
All you gotta do is realize
You ain't even gotta try
All you gotta do is realize
(It's all matter)
One great big small thing
Like humming in the spring breeze
A speck of dust
In this vast universe
It's just like a raindrop
In the sea of consciousness
Oh, it's all matter
It's all matter
So what is love?
(What is it?)
What is love?
(What is it?)
Cool on the outside
Hot in the middle
Cool on the outside
Hot in the middle but
You ain't even gotta try
All you gotta do is realize
You ain't even gotta try
All you gotta do is realize
It's all matter
It's all matter
It's all matter
It's all matter
(You ain't gotta try)
It's everything it ought to be
It's everything it needs to be, okay
Don't stand in the way
You'll only make it hard
Just keep it flowing
Flow with the ocean
And you'll be
Just where you should be
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Keep going, just keep going
Keep going just keep going so
So what is love?
(What is it?)
So what is love?
(What is it?)
Cool on the outside
Hot in the middle
Cool on the outside
Hot in the middle
Oh, what is love?
(What is it?)
What is love, love?
(What is it?)
Cool on the outside
Hot in the middle
Cool on the outside
Hot in the middle but
You ain't even gotta try
All you gotta do is realize
You ain't even gotta try
All you gotta do is realize
You ain't even gotta try
All you gotta do is realize
You ain't even gotta try
All you gotta do is realize
It's all matter
It's all matter
It's all matter
?
The song "All Matter" by Bilal is a thoughtful meditation on the human experience and our place in the universe. The opening lines suggest that despite our differences, we are all connected by something greater - a divine design that intertwines us all. The idea of everything being connected is explored further throughout the song, with the lyrics drawing attention to the fact that we are all made up of matter, and that even small things like a speck of dust or a raindrop have a place in the vast universe.
The chorus of the song asks the question "What is love?" and suggests that it is something that is both cool on the outside and hot in the middle. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the fact that love is something that can seem calm and comforting on the surface, but has the power to ignite passion and change lives when it is felt deeply. The verse that follows encourages listeners to simply "realize" this truth, rather than trying too hard to understand or define it.
The final verse of the song emphasizes the importance of going with the flow and not standing in the way of the universe's natural course. The idea is that if we can learn to let go and embrace the ebb and flow of life, we will find ourselves exactly where we are meant to be. Overall, "All Matter" is a profound and introspective song that encourages us to recognize our interconnectedness and the importance of love and acceptance.
Line by Line Meaning
We're all the same
Despite our differences, we share a commonality.
And all so very different
Despite our commonality, we are unique and diverse individuals.
Divine by design
Our differences and similarities were created intentionally and purposefully.
It all intertwines
Our differences and similarities complement and connect with each other.
Ain't nothin' new
These concepts have existed for a long time.
But it's always changin'
Our understanding and perception of these concepts can evolve over time.
Movin' still waters
The concepts can be both fluid and constant at the same time.
Soft yet so hard
The concepts can be both gentle and difficult to grasp at the same time.
Cool on the outside
These concepts can seem calm and collected on the surface.
Hot in the middle
But they can also be passionate and intense at their core.
You ain't even gotta try
Understanding these concepts doesn't require effort or force.
All you gotta do is realize
It just takes acknowledging and accepting the truth of the matter.
One great big small thing
Everything is simultaneously significant and insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
Like humming in the spring breeze
The beauty and wonder of these concepts can be like the soft sound of nature in the background.
A speck of dust
We are small and inconsequential in comparison to the vastness of the universe.
In this vast universe
The universe is expansive and infinite.
It's just like a raindrop
We are a small part of the larger picture, but still significant.
In the sea of consciousness
We are all connected by a collective awareness and understanding.
It's all matter
Everything, big or small, is important and meaningful.
It's everything it ought to be
The way things are is perfect and right as they should be.
It's everything it needs to be, okay
Everything is as it should be, and that's alright.
Don't stand in the way
Do not hinder or obstruct the natural flow of things.
You'll only make it hard
Interfering with the natural flow of things will only create difficulties and obstacles.
Just keep it flowing
Allow things to progress and develop naturally.
Flow with the ocean
Move and adapt with the natural course of things.
And you'll be
If you follow this approach, you will find yourself
Just where you should be
in the right place and living a fulfilling life.
Contributed by Lucy F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Eugene Thompson
I find myself coming back to this often. AIRTIGHT'S REVENGE!!!
tommy B
bilal bodied this...i get so proud when I hear bilal go in...he is definitely the greatest singer of our time.
Calvin Thomas
You should check out van hunt he dope
Ismail
yo Bilal will go down as one of the greats if he isn't acknowledged as such now. His music moves me. S/O to Philly for always brining that bone chillin' soul. 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Lee McMiller
One of the best neo-soul artist in the world.. Love this dude!!!
Lawrence Lovingood
Masterpiece !! I heard 3 different versions of this song and this has to be my favorite. Robert Glasper had a great version with him as well though but this was just 🔥🔥🔥🔥
deity kush
killed it, killed it killed it... brought it back to life and killed it again... Music is one of the illest forms of Magic... DEITY-KUSH
Tiffani Williams
Seen him live tonight in the Atlanta. He killed this song. A great artist!!
Dion Silas
Bilal is one of my all time favs, he's such a phenomenal artist❤️
XIOU PING
IF YOU DONT KNOW - YOUR LATE!!! BEST KEPT SECRET IN MY MUSIC COLLECTION SINCE 1999. I LOVE BILAL- ONE OF A KIND!!!!!! SO GLAD HE's BACK!