When Bilal first stepped on the scene with his debut single "Soul Sista," everyone just about lost their minds. Not only was the song a concoction of warm, velvety lusciousness, but the video was dripping with ooey, gooey love. Bilal's prowess in the video was something only previously seen by such contemporaries as D'Angelo, but it was the remainder of his album, 1st Born Second, that racked up Bilal fans from environs far and wide from his original hometown of Philadelphia. "Soul Sista" barely cracked the Top 20 R&B charts in 2001, but play this song for anyone who was around at that time, and the lights would turn off and candles would light as if Teddy P had commanded you to do so. Part of the Soulquarians crew, Bilal is backed up by Questlove on the percussion, makes an appearance in the video, and is rocking an ill cape to boot. Bilal himself has proven to be quite prolific on the collaboration tip of others' projects, but alas no sophomore album has dropped since his debut. I doubt that there will be any arguments as to why this song made it onto our countdown, but don't fret if you feel it's placement is a bit too low. There's much more in store. As there may be for you if you play this song just at the right moment with the right person in your company.
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