Bilal Oliver, to me, is indisputably one of the greatest singers to hit the scene in recent years. And it hasn’t been an easy road for him either. Hitting us with his debut album, 1st Born Second in 2001, with the gems like “Sometimes” and the critically acclaimed songs “Soul Sista” and “Fast Lane,” we eagerly awaited for the sophomore project Love for Sale, which unfortunately leaked and got shelved by Interscope. But this did not stop Bilal. Touring the world and steadily working with some of the best producers and artists in the business (Eryka Badu, J Dilla, Common, Pharrell Williams, Mos Def, 9th Wonder, Musiq, Tiombe Lockhart, Hezekiah, Jay-Z, and even Beyoncé, yo!), to create some of the best timeless songs you’d ever hear. Last year, he and friends Tweet, Dwele, and Joy Denalane, performed at the The Dresden Soul Symphony in Germany, reinterpreting soul hits to a classical orchestra. Right now, the compilation The Return Of Mr. Wonderful (a pseudonym of his) is circulating and is a collection of all of these collaborations and live recordings. It’s a solid mix. The new album, Air Tight’s Revenge is set to release later this year on Bilal’s independent label, Jazzman Music. Check out Hezekiah’s “Lookin’ Up” featuring Bilal below. I had a hard time choosing which song to feature here; but settled on this maybe because it contains subtle elements of Marvin Gaye’s “Time to Get It Together” from the Here, My Dear album.

“Lookin’ Up” by Hezekiah feat. Bilal

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