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.
Fast Lane
Bilal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey, living in the fast lane
Driving fast 'broads'
With them fast 'chains'
When you pimping through life
See some people get caught up
And some charges brought up
With some people they shoot up
Different face to the same old tragic end
Who's to blame if he never saw it coming
Yet he heard the bullet humming
And he never though of running
It's too late for him now laying out on the ground so cold, so cold
Nothing much to live up to, damn
It's so far gone, so gone
Living in the fast lane
Driving fast broads
With you fast chains
When you pimping through life
See some people got caught up
With some charges brought up
From some people they shoot up
Hey.. tell me when will it end
When the baby pays for its mothers sinning
Trapped inside the four walls of a 'penty'
Way too strong, way too strong
Now she's out in the cold, dying slow and the spoon still warm
[Jadakiss]
It started when they birthed me
Running round stuck in the project now he can't wait to the first come
Little older now and can't wait till the dope come
Sleep all these years and nobody awoke him
Getting it so he can cover the whole border
Question is how many of us can hold water
It seemed like telling is in
Signed states get an order of protection and tell him again
I'm a left lane
My life is much faster than yours
I'm with a chick and its attached to a brawl
Got the air ones matching the car
All white, slinging all night
So we rapidly spar
That's what they want to clap at me for
Understand that the flow is like the coke that he naturally grows
So I'ma get my cash on, and my mash on
And get my ass up out of the fast lane
[Bilal]
Living in the fast lane
Driving fast broads
With you fast chains
When you pimping through life
Got caught up
And some charges brought up
From some people you shoot up
The song "Fast Lane" by Bilal featuring Jadakiss is a commentary about the dangers and consequences of living the fast life. It talks about the risk of living in the fast lane, which is filled with fast women, drugs, and luxury items like fast chains. However, the song also acknowledges the pitfalls of such a lifestyle. The lyrics describe people who get caught up and face charges, while others shoot up and die in tragic and violent ways. The song questions the morality of this life and highlights the tragedy that often comes with it.
The chorus begins with Bilal's melancholic singing about how people living this sort of fast-paced lifestyle are caught up with fast cars, fast women and fast chains. The next line suggests that they act like they are "pimping through life." The verse then describes the unfortunate ending some of these people may face. It's a reminder that this lifestyle may be glamorous, but it's deadly, and there is always a price to pay. Jadakiss's rap on this song talks about his experience of growing up in the projects and how he maneuvered his way to the top. Jadakiss acknowledges the risk and potential harm of living the fast life and how he wants to get out of the fast lane.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey, living in the fast lane
Living life at a fast pace
Driving fast 'broads'
Driving fast cars with beautiful women
With them fast 'chains'
Wearing expensive, flashy jewelry
When you pimping through life
When you're caught up in the fast life, often illegally
See some people get caught up
Some people get stuck in this lifestyle and can't get out
And some charges brought up
Sometimes these actions lead to legal trouble
With some people they shoot up
In some cases, people resort to violence or drug use to maintain their lifestyle
Hey, there it goes again
This lifestyle is a repeating cycle
Different face to the same old tragic end
Different people, same tragic outcome
Who's to blame if he never saw it coming
It's hard to say who's at fault when someone gets caught up in this lifestyle without realizing the consequences
Yet he heard the bullet humming
He knew the danger was there, but didn't take any action to avoid it
And he never thought of running
He didn't try to escape the danger
It's too late for him now laying out on the ground so cold, so cold
He's paying the ultimate price for his actions
Nothing much to live up to, damn
There's not much to gain from this lifestyle
It's so far gone, so gone
The damage is already done
Hey.. tell me when will it end
When will this cycle of violence and drugs come to an end?
When the baby pays for its mothers sinning
When innocent people are hurt because of someone else's actions
Trapped inside the four walls of a 'penty'
Being stuck in a small, cramped space
Way too strong, way too strong
The hold this lifestyle has on people is too powerful
Now she's out in the cold, dying slow and the spoon still warm
Someone is suffering and dying from drug use
It started when they birthed me
This lifestyle can start from birth
Running round stuck in the project now he can't wait to the first come
Growing up in poverty and turning to illegal activity to make money
Little older now and can't wait till the dope come
Being addicted to drugs is a common theme in this lifestyle
Sleep all these years and nobody awoke him
Being blind to the negative effects of this lifestyle
Getting it so he can cover the whole border
Making money from illegal activity in order to expand their influence
Question is how many of us can hold water
Not everyone can keep a secret or maintain their illegal activity without getting caught
It seemed like telling is in
Snitching on others is a common practice in this lifestyle
Signed states get an order of protection and tell him again
In some cases, people go to the authorities in order to protect themselves
I'm a left lane
I'm moving forward at a fast pace
My life is much faster than yours
My lifestyle is more dangerous and exciting than yours
I'm with a chick and its attached to a brawl
I have a woman with me who is also involved in this lifestyle
Got the air ones matching the car
I have a nice car and shoes to match
All white, slinging all night
Dealing drugs all night long
So we rapidly spar
We move quickly and efficiently in our illegal activity
That's what they want to clap at me for
Other people envy my lifestyle and it's dangerous
Understand that the flow is like the coke that he naturally grows
My music naturally reflects and glorifies this lifestyle, just like someone who grows their own drugs
So I'ma get my cash on, and my mash on
I'm going to continue to make money and live this lifestyle
And get my ass up out of the fast lane
But I also know this lifestyle is dangerous and I need to get out before it's too late
Got caught up
Becoming trapped in this lifestyle
And some charges brought up
Facing legal consequences for illegal activity
From some people you shoot up
Some people turn to drugs or violence to maintain their lifestyle
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILAL OLIVER, MICHAEL FLOWERS, ANDRE YOUNG, FAULU MTUME, DAMU MTUME, SCOTT STORCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind