[cbb records]

Bilal’s relationship with dance music began over 30 years ago - not as a DJ, but as a listener. From Atlanta to Chicago to New York, he immersed himself in the sounds that moved him, always learning, always paying attention. It wasn’t until living in NYC that he finally picked up turntables, not to prove anything, but simply to play the music he loved for himself.

In 2012, he began sharing mixes online through his Swaggar Series, named after a friend who encouraged him to make his recordings public. His SoundCloud description - “music strictly for listening purposes” - reflects a core belief: that real connection to music requires presence, curiosity, and time, especially in a world of shortened attention spans.

Whether playing in clubs or house parties, Bilal considers every opportunity to DJ a privilege. His selections move fluidly between the foundational dance music sounds from Chicago to Detroit, all the way to New York, and the occasional unexpected curveball - because at the end of it all, he really just wants everyone to laugh and have some fun. Now based in Los Angeles, his goal remains simple: to share whatever knowledge he’s gathered about this 'dance music scene', not only the sounds themselves, but the people, history, and culture that give them meaning.