Bilal - 1st Born Second

Though Philly crooner Bilal (Beloved, Intelligent, Lustful and Living It) cut his teeth working with D'angelo and Erykah Badu, many hip-hop heads will recognize him from his appearances on Common's Like Water For Chocolate ("The 6th Sense") and Guru's Jazzmatazz, Vol. 3 ("Certified"). While the title, 1st Born Second, of Bilal's debut bristles with oxymoronic implications, it is really a nod to the Soulquarian family that Bilal calls home. Though 1st Born Second is replete with a very discernible Soulquarian vibe, Bilal's piercing voice (imagine Prince on ecstasy) and soul-searching ballads prove that he is a deserving inductee to this musically advanced collective. Read More