MUSIC

Straight out of Philadelphia comes jazz, funk, neo-soul singer, hip-hop evolutionist Bilal Oliver. Coming from what he describes as a "regular kind of neighborhood," Oliver was first introduced to music when he attended a small local church. Not until Oliver attended the Philadelphia High School for Creative Performing Arts did he really start taking his music seriously, realizing this was the direction he wanted to go with his life. bThe effect of being immersed into a creative, music-infused environment caused the young Oliver to interpret his voice as an instrument, especially in the songs he began to write.