Bilal in Long Beach

Bilal is an American soul and R&B singer-songwriter from Philadelphia, born in 1979. His debut album, 1st Born Second, introduced his wide-ranging voice through songs including “Soul Sista” and “Fast Lane.” His catalogue also includes Airtight’s Revenge, A Love Surreal and In Another Life, while his collaborations extend to Common, The Roots and Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly. In 2004, Bilal performed at the Brooklyn concert filmed for Dave Chappelle’s Block Party, appearing on a program that included Erykah Badu, Common and The Roots. He later brought his full band to the intimate Tiny Desk Concert format for NPR Music.