Bilal Shahid, affectionately referred to by his fans as The Bangla Boy, is an emerging talent in the UK’s music scene. With roots tracing back to Sylhet, Bangladesh, thanks to his parents’ heritage, Bilal transcends the role of a mere musician. He is also a producer, songwriter, and innovative creator who is redefining Bangla music by fusing it with modern styles to craft a distinctive sound that appeals across diverse cultures. His journey reflects the intersection of two worlds. Raised in the UK by Bangladeshi immigrant parents, he was introduced to the enchanting melodies and rhythms of traditional Bangladeshi music early on while simultaneously engaging with the latest trends in Western pop, R&B, and electronic music. Bilal shared with us his story of coming this far during an exclusive interview with us at TINDS.
TINDS: Tell us a little bit about your childhood. Where were you born and where did you grow up?
Bilal: I hail from the UK, with my parents originally coming from Bangladesh. I was raised in Northampton, a town situated in the Midlands, right at the heart of England. It was here that I attended school and where my passion for music and community began to flourish.
TINDS: What three words describe you the best?
Bilal: Determined, Stubborn and Powerful.
TINDS: Do you visit Bangladesh often?
Bilal: I had the opportunity to visit Dhaka this January with the BBC Asian Network. It was a wonderful experience, especially since it was my first time in the city, given that my family is from Sylhet. I rarely get to explore Dhaka itself, so witnessing the stark economic contrasts there was quite enlightening. It was striking to see how wealth and poverty coexist closely. This experience opened my eyes to many things, particularly the progressive spirit of young Bangladeshis in Dhaka. I found it surprising yet uplifting to observe their enthusiasm for fashion, music, arts, and theater. In fact, certain aspects of this vibrant young culture seem more advanced than what we see in the UK, where conservatism often prevails—something that truly caught me off guard.
TINDS: Have you been trained in music in any way from a very young age?
Bilal: I never received formal music training; instead, I learned on my own. My greatest strength lies in music engineering and songwriting. When it comes to musicality, I’ve developed my skills purely through listening and practice.
TINDS: How important do you think is actually knowing how to play an instrument ?
Bilal: I believe it’s still significant, and while I see your point, we are indeed in a time when technology has simplified the process of creating music. With AI, you can easily generate chords, structures, melodies, and even lyrics using various tools. However, my aspiration remains to learn how to read music because it’s akin to mastering another language—be it Bengali, Spanish, or French. Learning this new language would unlock a different realm for me and enhance my musical dimensions. Technology can assist up to a certain point, but I feel that my music needs an emotional core. The essence of my songs comes from this feeling. If I could combine that emotional depth with the ability to read and write music fluently, I believe it would elevate my music to an entirely new level.
TINDS: How did the entire journey into music start? Tell us a little bit about the start.
Bilal: I previously mentioned that I hail from Northampton, a small town located in the Midlands of the UK. In this town, there was a modest Bangladeshi community that operated a community center known as the Northampton Bangladeshi Association, or NBA for short. This center served as a gathering place for many young British Bangladeshis and others; it was an inclusive environment where everyone was welcome. The community center offered various activities, including games and outings, keeping us younger folks engaged and entertained with productive pursuits. One notable workshop at the NBA focused on music production, where some older kids would showcase their rapping skills. At that time in the UK, it was common to hear rap delivered in an American accent. However, as time went on, people here began to carve out their own unique musical identity. This shift coincided with the rise of Myspace, which played a significant role in fostering interest in music among youth across the UK.
TINDS: Do you think pursuing music is a good choice when you think of things financially?
Bilal: The music industry offers very limited financial rewards. Unless you’re consistently achieving millions of streams and performing every week—which in itself is precarious due to the toll of traveling across time zones and the social exhaustion that comes with it—it’s quite challenging to succeed. It’s a demanding career where making a profit is tough. Picture this: if you’re only doing one or two gigs every couple of months and not accumulating many streams, you really need to be passionate about it. I believe that entering the music scene solely for fame isn’t sustainable. Additionally, funding producers can become burdensome, which led me to rebrand as Bangla Boy for my production work. I realized I couldn’t keep financing producers and dividing my earnings among too many collaborators; when the overall income is minimal, sharing it with several others leaves you with hardly anything at all.
TINDS: How important do you believe networking is?
Bilal: Nowadays, if you’re well-liked and connected with influential individuals, you can advance much faster in various fields. However, my journey has been more challenging and time-consuming because I’ve had to prioritize family over social engagements. I’ve turned down numerous opportunities, whether they be networking events, weddings, or gigs both locally and internationally, simply because I need to be at home with my children and wife.
TINDS: There are people who are experimenting with different genres, so how do you feel about the changes that Bengali music is going through right now?
Bilal: I find it incredible because it’s revitalizing my passion for music. As I mentioned earlier, my background is rooted in UK rap and R&B. While that was fulfilling for a time, I realized that my true identity is a blend of British and Bangladeshi heritage. This led me to ponder what sets me apart—my unique selling point is being a British Bangladeshi artist aiming to break into genres that are not traditionally associated with my background. However, gaining acceptance in these spaces can be challenging since I don’t fit the mold of what they typically expect.
TINDS: what would you be if not a musician?
Bilal: I envision myself as the individual working behind the curtain. For instance, as the Bangla boy, my role involves producing, organizing, and collaborating to unite people. That’s what I aim for, and I believe it’s an attainable goal.
TINDS: What should the audience expect coming from you anytime soon?
Bilal: I have a new single releasing soon featuring one of the top Pakistani rappers in the UK, JJ Esko. This track is set to drop in early September. Additionally, I have another song that’s currently gaining traction and going viral on TikTok right now.
TINDS: what would your advice be to young musicians?
Bilal: I recommend pursuing it out of passion, as the financial rewards are minimal. If you’re not engaging in it for enjoyment or as a hobby you truly love, then it’s probably not worth your time and energy, as it can be quite exhausting.
| Find Him
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/realbilalshahid/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsbilalshahid/ |
