A Chat with Amir Bilal
A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of having local Harrisonburg rapper and JMU student Amir Bilal on my radio show to talk music. Amir is a very well spoken, energetic and confident presence and for his first live interview he was right at home. Unfortunately, the live recording was lost but he was kind enough to send me some answers afterwards.
What did your road into music look like?
“My road into music was kind of odd. I’ve rapped since I was in 1st grade just having fun with it. But I started to take making music more seriously when I got to high school. And in 11th grade that’s when everything changed.”
How would you describe your style of rap to those unfamiliar?
“I would describe it as something simple but something that resonates. There’s a heavy emphasis on what I’m saying but it evokes an unmistakable feeling.”
Tell me a little about NO CLUE, and the importance of collaboration to you.
“No Clue is a music/art collective that I am a part of with rappers and producers. It was created in February 2019 by Riley Lamarre and myself. Then shortly after 98PREEM joined and we’ve been really moving since then.
Collaboration is very important to me. It’s honestly the most important part of music in general to be honest. It’s impressive doing things on your own but being able to create and build with those around you that you trust and that share the vision is undefeated.”
Your newest member, Blackchai, has a project coming out that you are executive producing. What does that title mean to you?
“To me executive producing is overseeing the process of the music being made as well as offering your vision to the project as a whole. It’s one of the most important parts of making music in my opinion.”
You’ve mentioned before that you originally wanted to be a director, do you feel there is a cinematic element to your music?
“I think some of my songs are kind of cinematic. I don’t do it intentionally but if it comes out that way I’m not complaining. Me wanting to be a director in my past has more of an impact on the aesthetics of music and crafting projects.”
In your first project, Brain on Fire, the first line goes: ‘The songs the sessions, y’all the shrink’. That line really stuck out to me, and I was wondering if it still resonates with you today?
“That line still resonates 100%. The style of rap that I make and the scene that I am a part of makes music that is basically a therapy session. The listener is basically listening to me spill my heart and thoughts out and they take it in. It’s probably the closest thing to a therapy session that any form of art offers.”
You have a plan to expand your creative exploits beyond just the music, is that right?
“Most definitely. I have a lot of ideas and interests that I think could be put to good use in many different places. Music is always going to be very important and close to my heart but I want to do many things.”
What is the plan for 2021?
“The plan for 2021 is a couple albums, executive production, maybe some clothes, and becoming the best me that I can be.”
Exciting times for the young artist, whose demeanour and attitude put him in the perfect position to carry on making bigger and bigger waves in the music community. His latest EP is titled The Calm Before, and we should all want to be around for the storm.
See more from Amir:
Instagram: amirbilal_
Twitter: amirbilal_
Bandcamp: amirbilal.bandcamp.com/music
