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.
You Are
Bilal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The shade of ebony
In the silence of my dreams
You kept me company
On this secluded island
Our bodies seem to melt
Intoxicating, overwhelming Intensity
No less than everything and nothing more
Until the end of time I feel a dawn?
You baby you are all, you are all
I sketch you to observe you, a smeared reality
Now you're draped in chocolate, tasty opportunity, to place you, take time to
Rest you on some mantel piece, ignite you, take time to, and everything in between
You're the one my hearts been waiting for
No less than everything and nothing more
Until the end of time I feel a dawn?
You baby you are all, you are all
To me you read as clearly
It's like poetry-you've got me
With sexy smile, sexy frown, those frowns
(Those frowns, do what you do)
The lyrics to Bilal's song 'You Are' speak of a dream-like encounter with a loved one. The singer finds this person wearing satin, the shade of ebony, in his dreams where they keep each other company on a secluded island. Their bodies seem to melt together, leading to an intoxicating and overwhelming intensity. The singer then proceeds to sketch this person, wanting to capture their essence and observe them more closely. They describe this person as a 'tasty opportunity,' a metaphor for how consuming and irresistible their love is.
The chorus reinforces the idea that this person is the one the singer's heart has been waiting for. This person is everything and nothing less, and the singer feels they are all they need until the end of time. The lyrics suggest a deep and all-consuming love, a love that is both sensual and emotional. The final verse speaks of how this person reads to the singer like poetry, and how they have been captivated by their expressions, whether a sexy smile or a sexy frown.
Overall, the lyrics to 'You Are' portray a passionate and intense love that consumes the singer's heart and soul. The dream-like quality of the encounter adds to the mystical and otherworldly vibe of the song, creating an immersive experience for the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
I found you wearing satin
I discovered you in a state of elegance and luxury.
The shade of ebony
Dark and captivating, just like your beauty.
In the silence of my dreams
Even in my subconscious, you were my constant companion.
You kept me company
You provided me with solace and warmth.
On this secluded island
Together, we create our own world of love and intimacy.
Our bodies seem to melt
Our connection is so strong that we become one entity.
Intoxicating, overwhelming Intensity
Our passion is so strong that it engulfs us completely.
You're the one my hearts been waiting for
You are the only one I have ever desired wholeheartedly.
No less than everything and nothing more
You complete me and are everything I need, but nothing more.
Until the end of time I feel a dawn?
Our love will always be radiant and everlasting.
You baby you are all, you are all
You are my everything, my entire world.
I sketch you to observe you, a smeared reality
I draw you to better understand and admire your complexity.
Now you're draped in chocolate, tasty opportunity
You are covered in richness and delight; you are irresistible to me.
To place you, take time to
I take care to preserve and cherish you.
Rest you on some mantel piece, ignite you, take time to
I want to show you off and display my love for you in every way possible.
And everything in between
Every moment and detail between us is significant and meaningful.
To me you read as clearly
You are an open book to me, and I understand and see you for who you truly are.
It's like poetry-you've got me
Your presence and essence have enraptured me, like the words of a beautiful poem.
With sexy smile, sexy frown, those frowns
Your expressions, whether joyful or sad, are equally captivating and alluring to me.
(Those frowns, do what you do)
Even your flaws and imperfections only add to your beauty and don't diminish it in any way.
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Davis, Stuart, Andre Harris, Marsha Ambrosius
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind