Bilal has never left

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J Carter, Joi & man of the evening, Bilal

Kenny Burns, Bilal & Lachelle Morris of Honey Magazine Beehive Diaries, Joia Style Studio & Agency 3Sixteen interviewing the star

I have NEVER seen a man own a stage like Bilal Sayeed Oliver. The Philadelphia born soul singer that stole the hearts of music lovers in 2001 with his mellow high low notes continues to bring fans to their feet 6 years later!

I arrived with eyes wide open and feet high stepping to a crowd lined down West Peachtree Street being entertained by the base of a LIVE marching band all in wait of the the $25 concert! If this was the pumped up prelude to the show I wondered with excitement what the actual concert would be like! I then knew I would not leave disappointed. Upon nearing the door I was whisked safely inside to set-up for the evening. Once again the Garner Circle PR team (Nicole and Kevin) did an AMAZING job facilitating the event!

Bilal gets ready for his grand event. He hadn't performed in Atlanta, GA for over 5 years so this was "The Big One". Sol Fusion (they totally rock all of their parties out by bringing funky true music lovers together) run by Kenny Burns and J Carter set up their 5 year anniversary party at Center Stage the eve of Thanksgiving with DJ DNice, (who couldn't make it due to a family emergency), Rockport shoes sponsor (led that evening by Michael Barclay of Alloy Access) giving away 250 pairs of free HOT Rockports (endorsed by celebs like Yung Joc), and beloved musical guru for the evening...Bilal. They couldn't have chosen a better performer for the party/concert!

Bilal took the stage and turned it into his musical playground. With his singing, jumping, banging, and pseudo "love-making", he owned the audience and the night for his 2 hour set. He didn't have his dreads to swing any-longer as he performed but they were not needed for effect. His freshly cut do actually added to his cool skater meets funk meets soul singer appearance. He took control and topped everyone's expectations. The show he gave was worth double PLUS the ticket price. Women wanted to be with him and men had to give him respect and surround the stage. Yes he even had the fellas singing and obeying as if enchanted or led by a cult. If you didn't know Bilal before the night started...You knew him after it was over and knew he wasn't a joke.

Intoxicating music filled the air and the aroma from sheer energy and know how was emptied from his small frame as B belted out songs of old and some of new. His presence was giant for a man little over 5 feet. His eccentric and peculiar electricity intrigued you just enough to want to know more.

Other celeb soul singing divas took turns showing some love and sang a few notes as guests of Bilal for the evening. Music's past: Joi, Algebra and Trina Broussard did music justice that night speaking in song.

So where has he been? Why has B been gone so long if he's so good? I got a chance to get these questions answered in the twilight of that evening. Of course it is common knowledge that the soul prince was putting out a much awaited follow-up album to his 2001 debut "1st Born Second" in 2006 but his songs were leaked on the Internet. The damn Internet is a blessing and a curse for artists these days. The leak of course proved to be fatal for any type of album sales that may have come from his proposed album so the deal was dropped and true fans were left without product of word.

Fast forward one year and Bilal tells me that he hasn't put out another album yet because of "Political and in dusty shi*" but that we could expect an album in 2008! Whew so there's hope!

I've done the best in my words to describe the engrossing musical phenom that took place that evening but seeing is better for believing. I can tell you this last thing: If you don't know Bilal get to know him. His album is due out 2008. If you know Bilal...then you KNOW Bilal and can be assured that this truly talented and passionate man has never left.

Miesha