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.
Home
Bilal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ability to communicate and
To talk, and to touch chords
A man who has the ability and the audacity
And the of God to stand up, to stand up
Heard the sound of the trumpets, the voice from the throne
Seen the twenty-four elders and I knew I was home
Take the original Hebrews on an Exodus of Black Excellence
Tell them to invest in us and make testaments about each other
Or how we sisters and brothers
Cover the land in corners of poems and stone
Go hard with it, let em know you God with it
Even though I authored it, let no one margin it
And make it all about paper or first weeks sales
Though this is from Heaven give 'em verses from Hell
Those that fell off the path, bring them back to the Mass
The staff can be your microphone
Your name is Common
You was born to fight the norm
Take house niggas outta darkness till they lights is on
I'm a put a hyphen on your name
Rapper-actor-activist
You the one that can reach into the black abyss
Stars this asterix, show em what a classic is
Freedom riders need passengers
And your lyrics use scriptures and passages
To make them rise like Lazarus
And resurrected again, they'll put disrespect on your name and respect it again
Every section you in, bless em and keep bussin'
If they don't like it, shake the dust and say 'fuck 'em'
Until you get home, I'm the one you trust in
I'm happy to be in any place
Where God's name is remembered
Soon I will be gone with the trouble of this world
Trouble of this world, trouble of this world
Soon I will be gone with the trouble of this world
Going home to live
Going home to live
Going home to live
Go into the wilderness like Mussa on a pilgrimage
Streets are villages, speak with diligence
And authority to fake God of pharisees and sadducees
Give them that Gardley free from the Black Odyssey
Yo pardon me, you the God bodily
Functioning on earth as a part of me
That's why I gave you artistry
Go into the hoods with the shooters and the strippers
Forget the New World Order, New Jerusalem is with us
Tell sisters they earths and goddesses
If they got bottom, don't get caught in a bottomless
Pit, there's a lot of us fit for the kingdom is near
You can tell by the wars and how the seasons appear
You'll appear in circles in Hollywood, I birthed you
And Chicago, you know how to parlay good
You'll get Oscars, Emmys, and Grammys
Give those to your family, don't get caught up in the vanity
Or the world's insanity
Soon I will be gone with the trouble of this world
Trouble of this world, trouble of this world
Soon I will be gone with the trouble of this world
Going home to live
Going home to live
Going home to live
With God
To those of you who are unfamiliar with those words
They mean, in English, 'Peace, be unto you'
The lyrics of Bilal's song Home are a tribute to a man who is a genius and has the audacity to stand up for what he believes in. The song speaks of a man who has heard the sound of the trumpets, seen the twenty-four elders, and has written songs for the people. He takes the original Hebrews on an Exodus of Black Excellence and invests in them to make testaments about each other. The song urges the man to go hard with it, to let the people know that he is God with it.
The song highlights how the man's lyrics use scriptures and passages to make the people rise like Lazarus and resurrect themselves. The man is asked to go into the hoods with the shooters and the strippers and tell the sisters that they are earths and goddesses. He is asked to forget the New World Order and focus on New Jerusalem. Ultimately, the song speaks of a man who will soon be gone with the trouble of this world, going home to live with God, and reminding everyone to remember God's name.
The song reflects on the power of music to inspire and uplift. It highlights the importance of remembering one's roots and investing in oneself and one's community. The lyrics are a call to action, urging people to fight the norm, shake off the dust, and keep pushing towards their goals.
Line by Line Meaning
Heard the sound of the trumpets, the voice from the throne
I had a divine revelation that inspired me.
Seen the twenty-four elders and I knew I was home
I experienced a profound sense of comfort and belonging.
I was told to write songs for the people
I received guidance from a higher power to create music that serves a greater purpose.
Take the original Hebrews on an Exodus of Black Excellence
Empower Black people to overcome systemic oppression and rise to greatness.
Go hard with it, let em know you God with it
Be bold and unapologetic in your message and delivery.
And make it all about paper or first weeks sales
Don't let your art be consumed by capitalism or industry standards.
Those that fell off the path, bring them back to the Mass
Help those who have lost their way find their spiritual connection again.
Rapper-actor-activist
Your identity is multifaceted and your art reflects that.
I'm happy to be in any place where God's name is remembered
I find joy in spaces that honor a higher power.
Soon I will be gone with the trouble of this world Going home to live
I look forward to departing from the struggles of this world and finding peace.
Go into the wilderness like Mussa on a pilgrimage
Embark on a spiritual journey that challenges and transforms you.
Tell sisters they earths and goddesses
Empower women to recognize their inherent divinity and worth.
You'll get Oscars, Emmys, and Grammys Give those to your family
Money and awards are fleeting; focus on creating generational wealth and supporting those you love.
Soon I will be gone with the trouble of this world Going home to live With God
My ultimate destination is spiritual transcendence and eternal life.
To those of you who are unfamiliar with those words They mean, in English, 'Peace, be unto you'
I want to share a message of peace and goodwill with everyone who hears my music.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Minister Louis Farrakhan, Lonnie Lynn, Willie Mitchell, Emmanuel Riggins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind