EXCLUSIVE: We Speak to Bilal & Premiere His New Video for "I Really Don't Care"

With Valentine’s Day coming to its conclusion, we’re closing out the occassion with a new release from one of modern soul’s well-traveled, well-versed craftsmen. Coming off a year that saw him work on one of this era’s most acclaimed pieces of music, Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly, Bilal is poised to enter yet another successful, prolific stage in his evolution as an artist. To begin 2016, he’s choosing this new visual as one of his first drops. Revisiting his most recent solo project and fifth studio album In Another Life, Bilal serves up a video for album standout “I Really Don’t Care.” The video is directed by Hans Elder, who works closely with Bilal and plays an integral role in his career. Our very own Davis Huynh also connected with Bilal for a brief Q&A, which you can read through below.

A lot of people say that R&B is far from what it used to be. What are your thoughts on the current state of R&B and soul?

R&B is what it is. I can’t speak for anybody else, but I don’t care what people think of R&B. I make music for myself. It’s not about what is trendy or forward thinking, its about how you feel. That’s what I think.

What are your thoughts on Kanye West’s new album?

I didn’t even know it came out [laughs]. I haven’t had a chance to listen, but I will get around to it.

Are there any up-and-coming or current R&B artists you’re feeling or think have the potential to do big things?

Oh yes, of course. I think Anderson ,Paak and the Internet. They are some really talented people, that I think would do wonders in music, particularly R&B.

What are your thoughts on ghost writers?

I think ghost writers, shouldn’t be ghost writers. They should get credit for their work. There’s nothing to be a shamed of when you collaborate with other people, so why hide it? That’s how I feel.

Are you working with anyone right now musically?

Myself. Musically, I am jacking off every night [laughs]. It’s just me for now, I’m just creating.

Tell us about the creative process behind “I Really Don’t Care.”

It started off as a melody from Adrian Younge. It gave me a Stevie Wonder kind of vibe. He played some music and I hummed along to it until words came to me. The song represents that one last desperate attempt to find love again.