Washington D.C. - She’s “doper than your average” is what Ihsan Bilal had the crowd chanting when she took the stage at the Warehouse Loft Club.  After meeting her, there is no doubt she is definitely that.  Ihsan (pronounced Ih-saan) is a multi-talented artist who can’t be defined by just one term.  She’s a singer, songwriter, director and executive producer.  Type her name on YouTube and a bevy of hits come up showcasing her performances and the country she’s taking by storm.

Her music gives you something you can feel.  As I watched her get it in, I had the compelling urge to do something, get hype, jump around, break a glass, anything.  Just standing there wasn’t an option.  But I didn’t want to get kicked out, so I just yelled and bobbed my head.

Ihsan defines her music as “pop - although it is more soul and R&B rooted - it is definitely pop.”  She was quick to name Janet Jackson as a musical influence, which is interesting because she looks so similar to Ms. Jackson.  In other words, Ihsan is drop dead gorgeous.  Just imagine Janet twenty years ago with an edgy appeal and a pink-sided quasi Mohawk, and you’ve got Ihsan.  But her favorite is Pharrell’s N.E.R.D., which she listens to when battling through writer’s block or looking for inspiration.  “I like their versatility; they don’t choose to be stuck in one certain genre.  They’re not in one sort of box.  They really branch out and push the envelope.”  After hearing that, it came as no surprise she is also the lead singer for alternative rock band the Danvilles.  I kind of had a hard time picturing her in a rock band due to her laid-back persona.  That is, until she blessed the audience with a peek into her alter ego.  The drummer kicked up the tempo and the next thing I know, Ihsan was supplementing her singing with some nice flows that could give any emcee a run for their money. 

Ihsan has an angelic quality about herself.  Perhaps it centers on the beautiful meaning of her name, “To have faith in god even though he is not physically in front of you.”  Where is Ihsan headed, what does she want?  Simply put, “To take over the world.”  She laughed at herself for that one, then followed up with, “What I really wanna do is just be successful and help people along the way while reaching my goals.  Of course, everyone wants to be rich or famous, but everyone is in their own right.  So for me, I’ve already reached the pinnacle, because so many people come up to me and say 'Oh, I love your music,' and that means a lot to me.”

Ihsan’s music is on a different level, a higher plane, which is why she keeps her entire fanbase in mind when stepping into the studio.  “I’m definitely not the type of artist who talks about sex and things like that.  My music is very empowering.  Anybody can be empowered no matter what age you are, so I feel like my music reaches all ages."

Ihsan has been singing her entire life, and that longevity shines though during her mesmerizing performances.  She has got the right backing and an arsenal of talent to choose from.  Her sister is her backup singer, her brother AB the Pro is an up and coming producer/rapper who has worked with acts from Raheem Devon to Fat Joe, and is the man behind the sound of many D.C. artists.

Being involved with so many projects, one has to wonder how Ihsan handles the daunting challenges of it all.  “I don’t like to call the things that I have to go through on my way to success 'challenges,' because that’s just something that’s gonna happen.  I would just say dealing with negativity, and just having to wake up everyday and say forget it, dust it off and keep trying.”

Ihsan has performed all over the country and success seems to love her.  She handles the pitfalls of prosperity with grace and realism.  “I haven’t fell and haven’t gotten back up yet, and that’s the most important thing.  So whenever you do feel like you have failed at something, if you don’t get back up then you’re done.  But if you do, then you have that power.”

Because she calls the DMV home, I was curious if Ihsan has experienced any geographical prejudice.  “No, not at all.  I was in Austin, Texas, for the South By Southwest festivities, and they embraced me like it was my hometown, which was great.”

Being such a hardworking artist, Ihsan has blazed a path on the web for anyone interested in checking out her sound.  “You can go to my website Ihsanbilalmuzik.com, my ReverbNation page, Facebook, MySpace, pretty much everywhere.”

Ihsan has her sights set on May for the release of her next album titled The Big Red Box.  “The 'Big' represents everything that I want to do in life.  I don’t ever want to belittle myself, and it’s important for others to feel the same way.  The 'Red' represents the way that I look on the outside, and the 'Box' represents the type of person I am on the inside.  I’m an introvert.  Put it all together and it’s the big red box.  My present to my fans and anyone else that listens to music.”  If Ihsan’s previous works are any indication, I’m willing to bet that The Big Red Box will be a gift well worth the wait.

By Correspondent: Michael Cohen

Michael Cohen catapulted into this world via the Lone Star State during the cute baby shortage of ’78, and thus ended the crisis.  He then went on the military brat world tour, laying his hat down in Japan, Alaska, Florida, Virginia, and now watches the sun set in Washington D.C.  He’s been known to mumble in his sleep “I’m hip-hop ‘til I die.”  With a passion for arts and entertainment, Michael has produced his own public access television show, has been beaten up as a small time hustler on HBO’s “The Wire,” and writes screenplays in his spare time.