Brandy’s brother oppps! I mean Ray-J has a new single out and it’s actually pretty decent for Ray-J. To those that have seen his show with his sister on VHS you’ll recognize this track from the studio session’s he had with producer Darkchild. Ludacris’s feature is not what I expected it to be because he always comes correct on features. But who knows maybe Ray-J had a budget for the feature and Luda gave him his money’s worth. lol Ray-J’s new album “Raydiation 2″ is schedule for release sometime this summer but it more then likely got pushed back.

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Download: Celebration (4)

Enjoy the freshness.

-Black Milk

Awwwwyuuuup! Halfy Monday Soulifiedian’s!  Thought I’d give you a little taste test of what’s to come on Trey’s fourth studio album, Passion, Pain & Pleasure, which will be released on September 14, 2010. Trey has stated that the album will be his most personal to date. The first single off the album is Bottoms Up as some of you may have heard it on the radio and if not that’s because it’s a wack single and the radio station in your area feels the same way. The beat and the concept around the song just doesn’t do it for me. Nicki Minaj doesn’t even do the song any justice although her ass does in the video lol But hell that’s expected.

“Bottoms Up” feat Nicki Minaj

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekAXPCphKXQ

I’m not quiet sure when this video was suppose to be released but I know that this is a leaked version via the number’s at the bottom. Aside from that I’m feeling this video big time. It’s a simple concept but it gets the point and lyrics across. More artist should focus on feeling and simplicity when doing video’s because all the crazy graphics and special effects and shit aren’t needed. The song is dope as well cause I feel every word he’s singing on a personal level as I’m sure a lot of you are as well. This cut defiantly leads me to believe that his album will truly be the most personal to date.

Can’t Be Friends (leaked video)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYgflr8MLbw

Taking a look down below I’m not feeling the album art work at all. That ole rainy window technique is old as fuck. He’s literally behind plexi glass while an assistant sprays water on in it. And what the hell does it have to do with the title of his album Passion, Pain, & Pleasure? Does he have a passion for rain and it pains him that he can’t go out in it and pleasure himself? Come on Trey! lol With 17 tracks on the album Trey is def giving his fan’s they’re moneys worth if the other song’s are up to par. Only one feature on the album which is a shocker to me because I thought for sure Drake would show up some where on his album though Trey didn’t show up on his new one. Things that make you go Hmmmmm? I’m blessing yall with another single off the album called “Love Face” which is pretty self explanatory. It’s a nice, slow, baby making cut to add to “Getting Drawls” mix. lol

1. Here We Go Again (Interlude)
2. Love Faces
3. Massage
4. Alone
5. Bottom’s Up (feat. Nicki Minaj)
6. Pain (Interlude)
7. Can’t Be Friends
8. Pleas Return My Call
9. Made To Be Together
10. Pleasure (Interlude)
11. Red Lipstick
12. Doorbell
13. Passion (Interlude)
14. Unfortunate
15. I Like Dat (Freak Freaky Dance)
16. Blind
17. You Just Need Me

2. Love Faces

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Download: Love Faces (4)

4. Alone

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

5. Bottom’s Up (feat. Nicki Minaj)

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Download: Bottom's Up (2)

7. Can’t Be Friends

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Download: Can't Be Friends (3)

17.You Just Need Me

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Let me know what you think about the singles and everything else down below.

-Black Milk

Yes you heard it right! Drake and Nicki Minaj tie the knot!!!! I mean are yall really that shocked? I mean Drake did say he’d “Fucking do it” in his new single “Miss Me” and I quote…

I love Nicki Minaj
I told her I’d admit it
I hope one day we get married just to say we fuckin’ did it
And girl, I’m fuckin’ serious
If you wit it then I’m wit it
‘Cause yo verses turn me on and your pants are mighty fitted, ugh

“Miss Me” (quote is at 2:07)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRLSQDCkcaA

The big announcement came via both the stars Twitter accounts with Nicki asking Drake Friday afternoon (August 27)….

The tweets even caught the attention of down south rapper Slim Thug as he tweeted ” F*ckk I lost anotha @nickiminaj” Ok  now that I’ve got some of you with your mouth’s dropped and shocked with all thee above I have to break some more official news to you. When reps for both Drake and Nicki Minaj were asked if the news of the marriage was true they confirmed that rappers did not really tie the knot, though both tweeted that they did earlier that day. So whats up with all the twying? (twitter+lying= twying) lol If you ask me I think it’s one hell of an ingenious marketing/ publicity stunt with Drake just dropping the “Miss Me” single. Can you imagine how many people are looking up this single right now? Or how many people are adding both they’re twitters and looking they’re picture’s up? Shout out to Nicki Minaj’s booty by the way. lol

“Nicki Minaj“
01. Woo
02. I Think She Likes Me Feat. The Lox
03. All I Do Is Win Remix
04. Hold Yuh
05. Dang A Lang Feat. Trina
06. Lil Freak Remix
07. Massive Attack (Ted Smooth Remix)
08. I Bought That
09. Hello Good Morning
“Drake“
10. Freestyle Live At The Carrier Dome
11. July
12. Find Your Love
13. All Night Long
14. 4 My Town (Ted Smooth Remix)
15. Over
16. Shut It Down
17. Fall For Your Type
Lil Wayne Bonus Songs
18. My Generation Feat. Damien Marley & Nas
19. Pussy Niggaz Feat. Jae Millz
20. Currency Feat. Rick Ross & Trina

Download: Drake and Nicki Bonnie & Clyde Mixtape (11)

Download: Drake feat Lil Wayne- Miss Me (3)

-Black Milk

This one goes out to all the gold digging shallow women out there. You know who you are. And if you don’t know who you are your the one who’s hating the shit outta this song now.

Big ups to Cee Lo for making this track. Couldn’t have sang it better myself! “Oppps she’s a gold digga, just thought you should know nigga.” hahah classick lyrics right there. I mean is there really a better saying that so simple yet gets a ton across then “Fuck You?” lol This will be another official track off his new up and coming album “The Lady Killer” dropping sometime this year in December. Expect the video for this track sometime next week. Till then soak up the track and let me know what you think in the comment box below through any of your networks.

Fuck You

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Download: F*ck You (13)

Fuck You featuring 50 Cent (remix)

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Download: F*ck You feat 50 Cent (remix) (6)

Enjoy the freshness!

-Black Milk

Website/Twitter/Foreign Exchange Music

Zo! recently took time out of his busy schedule, to talk with us and share his thoughts on his music and SunStorm. Which was recently released to the world, to great praise.  If you haven’t picked up a copy yet, please do so ASAP.

Soulified

How has the transition to being under the Foreign Exchange Music umbrella been?

Zo!

Around 2005, I met Phonte. Phonte knew of my work and was a fan. On my Re: Define album, I had remix a Little Brother song. From that, our relationship grew and we decided to work together. Our first song together was “Stepping Out” on the Just Visiting album.

Soulified

With your new album SunStorm, what was the motivation for this album, and what was the inspiration for the name itself, it has Roy Ayers feel to the title?

Zo!

This is an auto-biographical piece. From the album cover to every song on the album, it is all me. It is about the ups and downs of my career and life.

Soulified

How do you balance being a music teacher and very active artist?

Zo!

It is tough. You see some artist that work 9 to 5 jobs, it’s tough for them to take a break and tour. My job as a music teacher, you would think they would embrace it. My job puts some pressures on me. My touring is a positive to the kids I teach. It shows them that you can make it and be successful doing music.

Soulified

How did you hook up with Foreign Exchange?

Zo!

Phonte asked me to add something to there live show. And things kept growing after that.

Soulified

I Love the 80′s is a great album, what was the idea behind it?

Zo!

The album came about on a dare. Me and Tay were talking about how bad some of the 80’s music was. This conversation turned into me creating a beat that sounded like “Africa” by Toto. Tay sang over it. And the project bloomed in “I Love the 80’s”. When we did “Take on me”, it was a challenge and dare. We wanted to see if we could create the song and sound good. But we also wanted to see if people would like it.

Soulified

“Overdue Process” with Asylum 7 is a favorite of mine, how did that come about?

Zo!

Asylum has been my boy since 2004. In Detroit, I would go to open mikes. Asylum would be there. And he would be killing them in a freestyle cipher. One day I hit him, we worked on some stuff. In those sessions, we jellied and gained respect for one another. “Overdue Process” was 4-5 years in the making. Asylum love for music is the same as mine. I think that is why we work so well together.

Soulified

When I tell people about u, I say you are an R&B version of Primo.

Zo!

Thanks. To be compared to him is an honor. I’m a huge Primo fan.

Soulified

How did u pick the artist for this project?

Zo!

Everyone, I’m real cool with and fans of. Me and Phonte are so close, I go to him to get a second opinion on beats artist. We went back and forth coming up with who would sound good on this song and that song. It was a shock to me that everyone wanted to be on the album.

Soulified

Jesse Boykins, Eric Roberson, Lady Alma, Sy Smith and Foreign Exchange, I’m happy to see u showcase show indy artists that I’m huge fans of. Explain the studio sessions.

Zo!

These are all my friends on the “Sunstorm” album. Yahzarah voice is so beautiful. She is one of the dopest singers in the music game today. Sy, her voice is so powerful.

Soulified

How was it working with PPP?

Zo!

Dope. The first time me and Wajeed did something, was on the humble. I was at his spot chilling and relaxing. I get to messing around on the Fender Rhodes. Wajeed jumped in and we ended up producing some stuff together. Wajeed is a good friend of mine. He is like a brother to me. I go him to get advance and listen to some of my work.

Soulified

You mentioned this is an album about you. What is the most personal song?

Zo!

All of them. I can’t pick one. They are all about me and things in my life.

Soulified

What would be a dream project for you?

Zo!

Working with Faith Evans would be dope. She puts it down and is very soulful. If I had the resources, I would bring back Zhane. I think they were some what unrated. I would like to see them back.

Soulified

What’s in the future?

Zo!

The Foreign Exchange album in October is up first. And I’m already working on my next album. Hopefully I can put it out next year.

Could this track be another possible leak off Dre’s highly anticipated Detox album to go with the other leaked song featuring Jay Z? Hmmmmm well if you ask me I’d tell you that I don’t really give a damn. Detox was suppose to drop in 2004 and were now 6 years into 2010. I don’t know about you but I was over the album in 2005 with as long as he’s taking to make it and now claims it will drop sometime this year lol. Dre had this to say on his site about the leaked tracks…

No shit Dre! The songs are a 2 minutes long with one verse! And am I the only one thinking that Bishop Lamont, Dre’s ex artist wrote his lyrics on this track?! I swear if Dre’s name wasn’t on the title I would of thought it was a Bishop Lamont track because he is dead on with the way he spits and Dre doesn’t spit like this at all! I wouldn’t be surprised if Dre went through the hundreds of songs Bishop recorded while under Aftermath that Dre technically owns and jacked the bars from him. I’m going to have to get a hold of Bishop Lamont and ask him personally. lol But yeah I’m feeling the beat, sample, hook, and Bishop Lamonts lyrics on this one none the less. lol

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Download: Dr. Dre- Turn Me On (19)

Enjoy the freshness yall and let me know what you think.

-Black Milk

Got my hands on the new Usher EP “Versus” set for release August 24th, 2010 so thought I’d bless my Soulified folks with a little preview of the album as well as my thoughts on it. For those that don’t know what an “EP” is it stands for Extended Play which is pretty much a short album that usually has 3 to 5 songs. Versus has 5 songs if you exclude “There Goes My Baby” which was on Raymond VS Raymond and the “Someone to Love remix” which is Just Beiber’s song.

My first thought of this album when I first heard it was coming out just 4 months after Usher’s 6th studio album Raymond Vs Raymond was that these tracks were the tracks that didn’t make the cut. Especially knowing that production for this album took place during 2008 to 2010. If that is the case I couldn’t tell at all because every song on this album is pretty dope. The singles “DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love” featuring Pitbull,was released for the mainstream audiences, and “Hot Tottie” featuring Jay-Z was released for the urban audience but that shit isn’t urban to me at all. I mean yeah Jay-Z is on it but the song to me is boo boo. For one who the hell drinks hot tottie? Or for that matter who know’s what a hot tottie consist of? lol Of all drinks he could describe a woman as he choose that. And didn’t even spell it right (Toddy). lol

“Lingerie” is probably my favorite track on the EP. It has a grown ass, sexy up tempo vibe that goes into a dope Michael Jackson type vibe every time its about to go into the hook. And I happen to be a “freak for sexy lingerie.” hahaha Anyways enjoy the preview and download’s and make sure to get the album. Oh and here’s the “There Goes My Baby” video for those that havn’t seen it and love this track as much as I do. Not so much loving the video though. Usher seems to be feeling up on the concrete wall he’s singing against more then the love interest in the video. There not feeling or grown and sexy in it at all. What do yall think?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6urbZyHgO4

01. Love Em All
02. DJ Got Us Falling In Love (Feat. Pitbull)
03. Hot Tottie (Feat. Jay-Z)
04. Lay You Down
05. Lingerie
06. There Goes My Baby
07. Get In My Car (Feat. Bun B)
08. Somebody To Love (Remix) (Feat. Justin Bieber)
09. Stranger

01. Love Em All

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

04. Lay You Down

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

05. Lingerie

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

07. Get In My Car (Feat. Bun B)

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

09. Stranger

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Download: DJ Got Us Falling In Love (Feat. Pitbull) (16)

Download: Hot Tottie (Feat. Jay-Z) (15)

4 out of 5 Cartons

-Black Milk

Got some new Kid Cudi heat for yall fresh off his new up coming album Man On The Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager dropping October 26, 2010. Though it’s no “Day and Night” which is pretty much the only quality single in my mind that he’s ever put out it’s decent none the less with a dope beat, catchy hook, and good feature with Kanye West.

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Download: Kid Cudi feat Kanye West- Wylin Cuz I\'m Young (11)

Enjoy the freshness!

-Black Milk

Since breaking all that bad news (home wrecker, sex tape, suicide attempt) about Fantasia in a past post I did I thought it would only be fair to break some good new by hitting all of you Fantasia fan’s with a review on her new album as well as a preview of a few select songs that I think are play worry.

Back to Me is the third studio album by Fantasia set for release next week on August 24, 2010. This album will be her first studio album in four freakin years since 2006′s Fantasia. The album’s title was actually suggested to her by comedian Steve Harvey, when Barrino visited his morning radio program. The album was originally set for release in early 2010, but after a wack first single and and a ton of leaks, J Records pretty much said “Damn all this” and ordered more tracks for the album, postponing the album’s release until further studio sessions, and stronger singles were recorded. The project’s new lead single, “Bittersweet” was released to Itunes on May 11, 2010, and was performed live on American Idol, while a new release date was set for July 27, 2010. “Bittersweet” was pretty much wack as hell to and got very little spins on the radio, so the album was again pushed back to August 10, 2010 and finally to August 24, 2010. When the album’s track listing was released in July, several of the leaked songs, including, “Bounce Back”, “Control Freak”, “On & On”, “Without You”, “Never” and “Said I Wouldn’t (No More)”, were scrapped. Ouch!

What up with Fantasia and all this leakage? If it’s not her singles or album its a sex tape or news that she’s knockin boots with a married man then trying to kill herself over it with Asprin of all the drugs. It’s super hard for me to respect her as a woman for all that especially when she has a young daughter so I’m going to make this review short and simple while having a little fun with her track titles. lol

01. I’m Doin’ Me “And a married man”
02. Bittersweet
03. Man Of The House “But it ain’t his. It’s either mine or his wife’s”
04. Who’s Been Lovin’ You “Ummm his wife and you apparently.”
05. Collard Greens And Cornbread “And aspirin”
06. Teach Me “How to find a single man and not make sex tapes”
07. Move On Me
08. Trust Him “When he say’s that lady that live with him is just the nanny”
09. The Thrill Is Gone Ft. Cee-Lo Green “But I recorded it for all to see.”
10. Falling In Love Tonight “Let’s video tape it and forget the tape in the player.”
11. Even Angels
12. I’m Here (From “The Color Purple” Musical) “And now on XXX DVD’s and websites world wide”

The album over all is pretty good and very powerful on the vocal, lyrical, hook, and ballet tip even though it’s hard to take anything serious that she’s singing present day and even funny. The heaters on this album are # 1, 2, 7, 9 (my fave). Enjoy listening to my picks and make sure to leave a half a brotha some comments down below.

1. I’m Doin Me

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Download: I'm Doin Me (12)

2. Bittersweet

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

7. Move On Me

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

9. The Thrill Is Gone

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Download: The Thrill Is Gone (11)

3 1/2 out of 5 Carton’s

-Black Milk

Soulified! What it do?! One of my top 3 MC’s Andre 3000 has finally dropped a single for all of our listening pleasure’s and it is one hell of a soulful banger! I’ve had this track for a hot sec and was going to hold off releasing it because Andre’s mixtape that it was suppose be on entitled “Limelight Exlcusives” was scheduled to drop yesterday (August 12th) which it didn’t. I can’t find any word on why it’s been postponed or when it’s going to drop so just gonna go ahead and bless you with the track till I get my hands on it for yall.

The single is ” I Do” And though its a big time tease at only 2:00 long its plenty to make you put this bitch on repeat. Trust! Dre’s lyrics are nuts as usual with a little harmonizing and a dope beat sampled from Lenny Williams “Cause I Love You” track.

“I Do”

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Download: Andre 3000- I Do (24)

Enjoy the freshness and make sure to leave ya boy some comments down below.

-Black Milk

You can feel the excitement of Bilal’s pending release of “Airtight’s Revenge”. It will be unleashed upon waiting fans on September 14th.  To help pass the time you might want to check out our interview with the music icon. It was a very good interview that gave us a glimpse into his world and thought processes.  Next in the build of anticipation is our friends over at Quality Time Online, have put together a great mini compilation of some Bilal gems. Below is a snippet of their article.

‘A Tribute To Bilal’
Quality Time Online would like to put the spotlight on the soul artist, Bilal, by offering a compilation of his work – just prior to his latest album release. This free downloadable compilation consists of the new single release “Free” and a few live-recordings and remixes.

Tracklist:

01. Free (1st single of ‘Airtight’s Revenge)
02. Levels (Live @ CMJ, NY)
03. Cheeba ft. Shafiq Husayn (Remix)
04. Lord Don’t Let it (of ‘Love For Sale’)
05. All For Love (of ‘Love For Sale’)
06. Soul Sista (Madlib Remix)
07. Outro by Bilal

DownloadBilal - Quality Time Presents: A Tribute to BIlal EP (91)

Also Bilal was the featured artist with Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Ensemble’s rendition of Donny Hathaway’s “Someday We’ll All Be Free”.  Bilal adds a whole new aspect to this classic. As a bonus, you can download the single and watch the video.  Enjoy.

Download Miguel Atwood-Ferguson Ensemble \"Someday We\'ll All Be Free\" Feat Bilal (21)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gn6WMcYKzI

No I don’t have a new album dropping. Hell I wish. It’s the super Producer/MC Black Milk I’m speaking on today. You know I still don’t know why he call’s himself Black Milk? I know it’s not because he’s black and white like myself. He produce’s for my sister Aadyo so I’m going to have to have her hit him up and ask him about that or if any of you know let me know. But yeah Black Milk is by far one of my top 5 producers and MC’s straight outta Detroit. Known for crazy production with Slum Village and working right next to the legend J Dilla.

After more than 12 months of recording and preparation, Black Milk’s new release is almost here. Album Of The Year will be dropping September 14, 2010. But till then Black Milk’s speaks a little bit on the album and I am of course hooking yall up with a few singles and a preview of the album art work as well as the track list. Enjoy the dope album trailer and interview my people’s…

Official Album Trailer

www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtAWqyYkFdI

Black Milk speaks on his new album “Album of the Year”

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmTAx5kjd_8

01. 365
02. Welcome (Gotta Go)
03. Keep Going
04. Oh Girl f. AB
05. Deadly Medley f. Royce Da 5’9″ & Elzhi
06. Distortion f. Melanie Rutherford
07. Over Again f. Monica Blaire
08. Black and Brown f. Danny Brown
09. Round of Applause
10. Warning (Keep Bouncing)
11. Gospel Psychedelic Rock
12. Closed Chapter f. Mr. Porter

Welcome (Gotta Go)

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Download: Welcome (Gotta Go) (8)

How Dare You

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Download: How Dare You (6)

Don Cornelius

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Download: Don Cornelius (5)

-Black Milk

P.S. Don Cornelius is my shit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes you heard it right American Idol winner and singer extraordinaire Fantasia Barrino is caught up in a major way!

According  to court doc’s a woman by the name of Paula Cook filed for child support against her soon to be “baby daddy” Antwaun Cook. In the doc’s Paula claims that Antwaun and Fantasia were pretty much creepin behind her back. She even said they met in a T Mobile all the way back in 2009. How in the hell she knew that is a mystery to me. Maybe she’s creepin with a T Mobile employee lol Paula also states that her husband and Fantasia also made a few sex tapes. I’m guessing Antwaun’s dumb ass forgot the tape in the VCR lol. I don’t know about yall but that is not a sex tape I’m looking forward to seeing. I think I’d rather watch Mini Me’s sex tape. lol Fantasia  even got dudes last name tatted on her!!!

In a statement by Barrino’s  manager he acknowledged that in fact Fantasia was in a relationship with Antwaun Cook for about 11 months and knew all about him being married but continued to be in the relationship with him because Antwuan told her he wasn’t happy nor was his heart in it. Paula Cook also has recordings of her and Fantasia conversing. Court documents show in one phone call, Barrino says, “He don’t want you. Maybe the next time that you get a husband you’ll know how to keep him. That’s why he is here with me.” All and all I think Fantasia is a complete dumbass for messing with a married man and at that making a sex tape with the dipshit when she can get a single man negative all the drama. And just so everyone knows I made all the evidence very clear against Fantasia because I found out that North Carolina is one of 7 states where a 3rd party aka hoe wrecker oppps I meant home wrecker lol can be sued. So with that said if Paula decided to sue Fantasia which should her ass is gonna get straight paid!!!!!!!

If that’s not bad enough just the other night Fantasia gets hospitalized days after she was named in the court docs for taking an overdose of “aspirin and a sleep aid” so her manager says. To all the Fantasia fans her injuries weren’t life threatening and shes going to be ok.  Her manager went on to say she was overwhelmed with the laswsuit/ media attention and was just dehydrated and exhausted at the time.

Heres a few more photo’s of the “couple.”

So what do yall think of Fantasia folly’s? Leave comments and don’t be shy. lol

- Black Milk

Teresa Jenee has brought the brightness again.  She released “Paint The Roses” single and the word is out that it’s hot.  This new song was created with skills of Tech Supreme. I love how she lulls in with her sweet voice, and then Tech Supreme drops a velvet hammer upon your ears to keep you there. If you are new to Teresa Jenee, then please check out her EP released last year, that was just wonderful.  It’s available at BandCamp.  That can get you up to speed, and get some Jenee in your life.

[Audio clip: view full post to listen]

Terese Jenee (14)

Well family, you heard right, we were blessed with the opportunity to get an exclusive interview with Bilal.  We were one of the few who were allowed to get a sneak peak into whats been up with the brotha and what he has in store with his latest release “Airtights Revenge.” I wont bore you with the shenanigans.  Lets get to the interview…

SOULFIED:

We know that many transitions have been made for you, eventhough you’ve consistently given your fans a genuine sound.  It is what we have come to expect of you.  What changes, if any, would you say took place between Love For Sale and Airtights Revenge

BILAL

This album is more electronic.  Its so much more.  The style of writing and everything was done much differently than previous albums.  From the ground up, the goal was to do landscaping with sounds, so I used a lot more sounds and effects than previous albums.  It is a real progressive album.

SOULIFIED

Tell us a little about Airtights Revenge, what is the meaning behind it and what brought it about?

BILAL

The meaning behind it… It basically started out fast.  Things were moving real fast, and then you know, my album ended up getting shelved.  I was off the label, then there was contracts and all this other bullsh*t.  The silverlining… then I started to see the sunlight come in.  Some people felt like the project I was working on was dark and some people weren’t understanding what I was doing – where I was coming from.  (slight laugh)  Then someone came up to me and told me that this album was the greatest soul record they ever heard in in their life.  I mean, when you get these types of statements, you know, its just.. (satisfying laugh).

So I started to tour and it was like I had an album come out!  The Revenge was what made me who I am today.  It made me stronger.  It made me better.  It made me more of a blues singer, which is what I had always wanted to be from the beginning.  But now I’m more of a blues singer than ever.  Its like some 5 Heartbeats type sh*t. (we both share a laugh).

If I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing.  I didn’t know any of this would happen, but it did, and everything happens for a reason.

SOULIFIED

So we heard, September 14th.  Is this official?  Is there any significance in the date?

BILAL

The album will definitely be released on the 14^th.  Theres no siginificance in the date.

SOULIFIED

Robots is crazy!!!  I personally feel that it would make a great single…  Have you decided on which song will be the initial single?

BILAL

The single will be Restart.  We did a few videos, but the single will be Restart.  I don’t really do singles.   I don’t really get into putting out singles because to me the whole album is hot.  I just go with what feedback I get.

SOULIFIED

What you’ve done for yourself up until now has worked.  Do you plan on going more mainstream?  What direction will your career go?

BILAL

Man I just want to make good music.    I just make music.  I do what I love, which is making music.  I’m not into formulas or anything, just making good music.  If it goes more mainstream then so be it, but I’m gonna keep doing what I love to do.

SOULIFIED

From the feedback I’ve gotten, people want to see more of you.  Where can fans see you performing, or hear you these days?  Do you have a blog or youtube channel?

BILAL

Twitter:  @bilal_oliver

That is the best avenue because I load my videos on there and talk about upcoming shows and things like that.

SOULIFIED

I dont want to get too personal, but the ladies want to know… Is there a Soul Sista on the scene?

BILAL

(brief silence) Hello! – the phone started breaking up – He chimes back in “I’m not doing this on purpose!” (brief laugh)  I do have someone special in my life. (You’re referring to music right…?) (another laugh) Actually, I am in a relationship. ….yeah.  I’m in a relationship right now.   I’m married. (aite aite! I’m not gonna get too much deeper into that. ) (more laughs)

End of Interview

We had to disconnect after that question, so we closed up.  There is so much more I wanted to ask him, as it relates to the details about production and the rest of the Soulquarians.  I also wanted to include questions from some of his fans on our Soulfied twitter page but there just wasn’t enough time.  I’m sure this does wet your appetite though.  This album is looking very promising.

All in all, the brotha seemed very motivated and extremely excited about Airtights Revenge.  I listed below, a few treats that are sure to keep you excited about this one.  Send Bilal a tweet or something to let him know that we appreciate the exlusive interview at soulified.com.  Again, his twitter page is bilal_oliver

Yours truly, still working hard to Keep it alive… Issa

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZR1eXvXGLA

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xF70UHCoDp0

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNmeH9iM2CY