Talented, unpredictable, experimental, surprising, courageous, never betraying his own way, respected by colleagues and audiences. That's all about this year's Vilnius Mama Jazz guest, the American singer Bilal, whose name sends a thrill through jazz, rhythm and blues, soul and hip hop fans alike. Bilal's name is well-known, although his relationship with the heavyweights of the music business has always been complicated. He has recorded a cult album with hip-hop greats that was never even officially released - but still got a lot of attention. Instead of the glitzy world of pop music, he prefers jazz clubs and alternative sounds - proving that trusting your creative instincts always pays off.
Today, he's an independent and successful artist with a resume that includes collaborations with some of music's biggest stars. These include Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, Robert Glasper, Kimbra, Erykah Badu, Common, The Roots and many more. His collection includes a prestigious Grammy statue (and three other Grammy nominations), countless concerts and spectacular musical moments.
Jazz, soul, psychedelia, Afrofuturism, alternative rhythm and blues, even rock and classical music - it may seem unbelievable, but Bilal Sayeed Oliver (the artist's full name) has touched all of them (and more).
He has a broad vocal range and the ability to juggle so many genres that it takes your breath away. Not only for his listeners, but also for other artists. Philip Bailey, lead singer of the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire, has said: "Bilal is one of the rare singers who actually uses his voice as a musical instrument."
It all started at a young age - by the time he was 11, he was leading a church choir, and by 14 he had formed his first band and was performing in a Philadelphia jazz café. After leaving school, he moved to New York where he studied opera and jazz composition. It is said that on his first day there he met Robert Glasper, a musician who was also a guest at Vilnius Mama Jazz, and became his creative partner.
The young singer quickly became a fixture in New York's jazz clubs and began performing with the legendary Soulquarians. The band, which has been around since the turn of the millennium, has featured some of the most prominent jazz, rhythm and blues, rap and soul artists in the world - D'Angelo, J. Dilla, Mos Def, Questlove of The Roots, Talib Kweli, Erykah Badu, Roy Hargrove, Common and others. The singer was spotted by Aaron Comess of the rock band Spin Doctors and invited to sign with Interscope. Bilal's debut album, 1st Born Second, was released under the label's banner in 2001 to both commercial success and critical acclaim.
Album's song "Soul Sista" was a hit, but Bilal's next phase of work brought challenges. The singer teamed up with renowned rap producers Dr. Dre and J. Dilla to create Love For Sale, an album that went through many transformations and was eventually rejected by record labels as lacking commercial potential.
An album that is surprising in its experimental nature and its astonishing fusion of genres, the album has remained unreleased, but has leaked online, and is considered a true masterpiece of Bilal's music by both fans and critics. The singer's fanbase has quickly grown, a story that reminds us that true talent will always find a way, no matter what the obstacles.
Often classified as neo-soul, Bilal himself rejects the term. The music on his several successful albums is simply too colourful and enchanting to be pigeonholed.
In 2016, the singer won his first Grammy for "These Walls", a song he recorded with rap visionary Kendrick Lamar on Lamar's cult album To Pimp A Butterfly.
There are countless examples of this musical communion in his history. For example, during the pandemic, he recorded the experimental mini-album Voyage-19 - in a matter of days, writing songs remotely with a group of musicians. He gave all the profits from the record to the artists, who were struggling financially due to the stagnant touring life at the time.
When Bilal played a concert in December 2023 to just under a hundred fans in a Brooklyn studio, his band included Robert Glasper, Questlove, Common and Burniss Travis. The recording was later released on a live album, once again reminding us of the calibre of musician that Bilal is and the level of talent that he attracts in his partners.
The album, which will finally be enjoyed live in Lithuania for the first time, will also feature songs from his sixth album Adjust Brightness, released last autumn.
Today, Bilal's home is in the USA and Morocco, where he spends his time making music, performing and painting. He has never been held hostage by the games of the entertainment world, retaining his uniqueness and always ready to amaze. His naked musical nerve is the real diamond in the Vilnius Mama Jazz festival programme.
The festival is funded by the Lithuanian Council for Culture and the Vilnius City Municipality.
