Courtesy of BlackEnterprise.com
Bilal Sayeed Oliver — stage name “Bilal” — is what you’d call an “artist’s artist.”
An O.G. in the world of rhythm and blues — dropping his critically-acclaimed debut “First Born Second” 12 years ago to the praise of peers and frequent collaborators Common, Erykah Badu and The Roots — like them, the Philly singer has seen the music industry from every angle, in fat and lean times.
Bilal’s biggest business coup came when he was just 19 years old: the singer-songwriter signed his first and only major-label contract and publishing deal with Interscope, a contract that showered him with enough cash to buy a new car and remodel his mother’s home.
And like most young people who suddenly inherit large wads of cash, the Grammy nominee blew through the rest of it on jewelry, clothes and other material things — items that wouldn’t last.
He calls that period his first real lesson in financial risk.
Continue reading at BlackEnterprise.com
