10 minutes backstage with Bilal at Blue Note

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Bilal’s first album, “1st Born Second,” came out 25 years ago and quickly became a classic. It boldly blended jazz, hip-hop, and neo-soul, creating a sound that was innovative then and still sounds great now. The album included the popular single “Soul Sista” and featured appearances by artists like Common and Yasiin Bey, with production from notable names such as Dr. Dre, Raphael Saadiq, the Soulquarians, and the late J. Dilla.

Bilal recently marked the anniversary of his album with four sold-out performances at the Blue Note in Hollywood. I had a chance to speak with him behind the scenes before the first show.

We saw you at Talib Kweli’s show at the Blue Note in Los Angeles a couple of months ago, but this is your first time performing a solo show here. How are you feeling about that?

It’s been a really nostalgic experience putting together this 25th anniversary show. We’re performing songs from my very first album, and listening back to that music has brought back a lot of memories from 25 years ago – it’s a strange but wonderful feeling! (Laughs)

You put out your first album, “1st Born Second,” when you were 21. Can you tell me about what your life was like back then?

When I first released that album, I was young and ambitious, eager to shake things up in the music world and put my own spin on it. I had a lot of ideas from my jazz training, and I was kind of a rebellious student – I really questioned everything. I was probably a bit of a music snob, honestly. [Laughs]

And that’s OK.

Looking back, I was incredibly driven. I had a clear vision of where I wanted to go with my music, and honestly, just getting to do it filled me with a lot of joy. It was a really exciting time.

I read that you used to challenge your teachers a lot in high school and college.

I grew up in Philadelphia and started performing when I was just four years old. By the time I released my album, I was confident in my vision. I knew I wanted to produce and had already written a lot of music. With a background in jazz, I had a clear idea of the artist I wanted to be, and music school was simply a way for me to pursue that and gain independence.

When you reflect on the impact of “1st Born Second,” how does it make you feel?

It felt genuine, and that’s exactly what I hoped to achieve. I aimed to create music that would last. I was really inspired by musicians like Miles Davis, and I often read his autobiography. He believed in music that truly impacted people, challenging both the listener and the artist to push boundaries and make a real difference. So, hearing people still enjoy and discover my work years later is incredibly rewarding. That’s what I wanted – to create something that would endure.

You put out two projects in 2024: a live album called “Live at Glasshaus” and a new studio album, “Adjust Brightness,” which marked your first new music in eight years. What led you to release them now, and can you tell us how each one came to be?

The whole project just flowed together, even using recordings from a live album. Once I decided to move forward, I started reaching out to people that week. I knew Common was in town performing on Broadway, and Rob [Glasper] happened to be visiting as well. We all agreed to try and get Ahmir [Questlove] involved, though I was a little worried since he was busy with the Fallon show. Luckily, we found a time that worked for everyone and were able to make it happen. The whole experience had a really natural and magical feel.

It was amazing to be part of the tribute to D’Angelo at the Grammys in February. How did it feel to honor someone you grew up with and celebrate his incredible musical legacy?

It felt incredibly strange, like I was watching myself from outside my own skin. I used to be able to do this as a child – almost like stepping outside of myself whenever things got overwhelming.

It sounds like you’re a very productive artist! Do you have any new music or projects coming out that fans can look forward to?

I prefer to let creativity flow without forcing it. I’m hoping inspiration strikes soon, but I believe it needs to happen organically. I don’t push for it; everything should feel natural.

I’ve noticed you’ve been getting into painting, which is awesome! I’m curious, beyond your music, what else has been helping you stay balanced and energized these days? What’s been making you feel good and inspired lately?

I’m fascinated by a wide range of things. I enjoy reading, especially books about history and philosophy. Recently, I’ve also been exploring Zen meditation and the idea of mindfulness. I’m also a fan of kung fu – I find the underlying principles really interesting. Oh, and I’m a Virgo!

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2026-05-19 13:37