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.
Soul Sista Version )
Bilal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey sister
It's all in her eyes, you and me
Words just disguise all the things that you need
What is deep, it's deeper than skin
So Lord only knows
This kind of vibe gets stronger in time
So concrete can't hold it
Hearts filled righteously
Whatever it is, I know that it's real
As long as you know
No complaints, you're all that I feel
(Sista soul)
You must be my soul sista, soul sista, hey sis
(Sista soul)
You must be my soul sista, soul sista, hey sis
(Sista soul)
You must be my soul sista, soul sista
(Sista soul)
You-ooh are so fine
Like spaces that fall in my soul
Sweet baby that has no rhyme, yeah
Do you like how it feels when I smoke you out?
Head down to your toes
Making you (making you, making you) scream and shout
You must be my soul sista, soul sista, you my
(Sista soul)
You must be my soul sista, soul sista, you my
(Sista soul)
You must be my soul sista, soul sista, you my
(Sista soul)
You must be my soul sista, soul sista, yeah
(Sista soul)
(Sista soul)
You must be my soul sista, soul sista, sista, sista, sista soul
(Sista soul)
Sista, soul sista
Soul sista,
Hey baby, can I talk to you?
Can I love you in the right way?
Please your soul, hold you
Baby I want to love you
You know baby I want to
Love you in the right way
Hold you because your my
Soul sista baby you're my sista
All I want to do is love you in the right way
Hold you, only because you are
My soul sista, soul...
The lyrics to Bilal's song "Soul Sista" are an expression of love and admiration between two people who have a deep connection. The singer praises the woman's beauty and soul, which he sees through her eyes, and acknowledges that their relationship goes beyond the surface. He emphasizes that their bond is genuine and cannot be contained by the physical world or anyone's perception of it.
The artist highlights the idea that this kind of connection is rare and needs to be cherished, especially in a world where people often try to hide their emotions and desires. The chorus, which repeats the phrase "you must be my soul sista," is a declaration of his feelings towards her and a way of acknowledging that their bond is special and meaningful.
Overall, the lyrics celebrate the beauty and mystery of human relationships, and the importance of authenticity and emotional connection in our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
La da, da, da
The song starts with vocal ad-libs that set the mood for the following lines
Hey sister
The singer addresses someone he calls 'sister', showing a feeling of familiarity and closeness
It's all in her eyes, you and me
The singer implies that the connection, or chemistry, between him and his 'soul sista' can be perceived through their eyes
Words just disguise all the things that you need
Verbal communication is limited and sometimes insufficient to express everything that one needs. Hence, actions and feelings are more revealing and should be prioritized
What is deep, it's deeper than skin
The singer hints that the relationship between him and his 'soul sista' goes beyond the physical attraction, and there are deeper and more meaningful aspects to it
So Lord only knows
The singer affirms that only a higher power can understand or explain the depth of their connection
This kind of vibe gets stronger in time
The song highlights the importance of time in building and strengthening their relationship, which might explain their bond and closeness
Won't go on unnoticed
The singer assures that their relationship is noticeable and evident, due to its nature and strength
So concrete can't hold it
The singer implies that their bond is intangible and immaterial; it cannot be confined or restrained by physical objects or barriers
Hearts filled righteously
The singer hints that both his and his 'soul sista's' hearts are pure and sincere, which might explain the genuineness of their relationship
Whatever it is, I know that it's real
The singer acknowledges that he might not be able to define or explain their connection, but he is sure that it is authentic and significant
As long as you know
The singer emphasizes the importance of his 'soul sista' being aware of their relationship's nature and significance, as it is a shared feeling.
No complaints, you're all that I feel (Sista soul)
The singer expresses his fondness and appreciation for his 'soul sista', who is the source of his positive feelings and emotions at the moment
You must be my soul sista, soul sista, hey sis
The singer repeats the title of the song, addressing his 'soul sista' and showing his affection using a term of endearment
You-ooh are so fine
The singer expresses his appreciation of his 'soul sista's' physical appearance
Like spaces that fall in my soul
The singer uses a poetic metaphor to imply that his 'soul sista' fills a void or emptiness in his soul that no one else can
Sweet baby that has no rhyme, yeah
The singer uses an oxymoron to describe his 'soul sista', suggesting that there are some unexplained aspects to her character or nature
Do you like how it feels when I smoke you out?
The singer uses a metaphor to ask if his affection and attention satisfy his 'soul sista' emotionally and mentally
Head down to your toes
The singer implies that his 'soul sista' is attractive and desirable from head to toe, emphasizing her physical appeal
Making you (making you, making you) scream and shout
The singer uses a sexual innuendo to imply that he pleases his 'soul sista' both physically and emotionally
You must be my soul sista, soul sista, you my (Sista soul)
The repetition of the title and the following lines reinforce the singer's affection and desire for his 'soul sista'
Hey baby, can I talk to you?
The singer addresses his 'soul sista' using a term of endearment, showing his affection and care for her, then asks for permission to express his feelings or thoughts
Can I love you in the right way?
The singer asks if his 'soul sista' is willing to be loved and appreciated the way she deserves, emphasizing the importance of respect and attention in a relationship
Please your soul, hold you
The singer implies that his love and affection serve his 'soul sister's' best interests and desires, and he will provide emotional support and comfort
Baby I want to love you
The singer reaffirms his affection and desire towards his 'soul sista' and implies that his love will stay constant and true.
You know baby I want to
The singer reminds his 'soul sista' that his feelings towards her are genuine and sincere, as if he personally knows that she is aware of his true feelings
Love you in the right way
The singer reiterates the importance of treating his 'soul sista' with respect, care, and attention in their relationship
Hold you because your my
The singer shows his possessiveness and ownership of his 'soul sista,' emphasizing the strength and importance of their relationship
Soul sista baby you're my sista
The singer repeats the title and calls his 'soul sista' his sister, emphasizing the closeness and familiarity between them.
All I want to do is love you in the right way
The singer delivers his final message, which encapsulates the song's themes of affection, respect, and devotion towards his 'soul sista'
Hold you, only because you are my soul sista, soul...
The song ends with the singer's final affirmation of his love, affection, and ownership of his 'soul sista.'
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BILAL OLIVER, JAMES MTUME, RAPHAEL SAADIQ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@daunierthompson8978
La da, da, da
Hey sister
It's all in her eyes, you and me
Words just disguise all the things that you need
What is deep, it's deeper than skin
So Lord only knows
This kind of vibe gets stronger in time
Won't go on unnoticed
So concrete can't hold it
Hearts filled righteously
Whatever it is, I know that it's real
As long as you know
No complaints, you're all that I feel
(Sista soul)
You must be my soul sista, soul sista, hey sis
(Sista soul)
You must be my soul sista, soul sista, hey sis
(Sista soul)
You must be my soul sista, soul sista
(Sista soul)
You-ooh are so fine
Like spaces that fall in my soul
Sweet baby that has no rhyme, yeah
Do you like how it feels when I smoke you out?
Head down to your toes
Making you (making you, making you) scream and shout
You must be my soul sista, soul sista, you my
(Sista soul)
You must be my soul sista, soul sista, you my
(Sista soul)
You must be my soul sista, soul sista, you my
(Sista soul)
You must be my soul sista, soul sista, yeah
(Sista soul)
(Sista soul)
You must be my soul sista, soul sista, sista, sista, sista soul
Sista, soul sista
Soul sista,
Hey baby, can I talk to you?
Can I love you in the right way?
Please your soul, hold you
Baby I want to love you
You know baby I want to
Love you in the right way
Hold you because your my
Soul sista baby you're my sista
All I want to do is love you in the right way
Hold you, only because you are
My soul sista, soul
@uptown713
Black woman…I love and will protect you. - A black man.
@itumeleng_lazlo_nare
This song came out in 2001, but it's still a banger in 2023 😂❤❤😭😭
@ilovemytribe
2024
@starmanning2604
We, the Black Sista Delegation, approve this message. ❤ 🖤 💚
@reallife0728
YOU MUST BE MY SOUL SISTA!!!!☕☕☕💐💐💐
@JamesBond-ro6by
😂 Beautiful!!
@no_guarantees
MeH
@jakarlamcclain1248
As a strong beautiful black woman , this song speaks to my soul 💥
@stephanieblount611
What she said
@janellejcj10
You know a song is classic when you never get tired of it after over 20 years. I was just 10 listening to this song when it first came out. I always wanted to see Bilal in concert and got the chance to do so back in 2016.