Against All Odds: The Bilz and Kashif
The Bilz and Kashif: three young artists that are bursting with contagious energy. The kind of energy that can make you feel like you’re being hit on simply because 
they are talking to you. Add on top of that their ability to crone about breaking barriers, making love, and dancing all night and you have a triple threat waiting to take over the South Asian music scene on a global level.
When NEEM Magazine met with the three guys during their visit to NYC the conversation was fluid and entertaining, very unlike a typical interview with celebrities. They seem to have matured in their sphere as artists, going from their hit “2-Step Bhangra” to their newest album “Breaking Barriers.” The newest album includes amazing singles including “Against All Odds,” “Heer Ranja,” “On the Dancefloor,” and the charity single “One Voice.” And much like the title of their album, these guys have been breaking barriers since the beginning.
The The Bilz and Kashif, Montreal based group, started off as a dance-pop sensation. They were known by every club going South Asian that danced to their creations. They showed the world that three young South Asian guys could break the pop/bhangra barriers in North America. And with their newest album, they are breaking a new barrier: the “labeling” barrier. Not wanting to be “categorized” as just “club music” or dance music, they guys got together and poured their souls into their newest album, and it shows.
As Kashif noted, “This album is different. It’s a new flow and new way of thinking. We wanted to show the different sides of us.” Vicious, who is rapping on this album, agreed, “The album covers all types of topics, from dance to making love.” With the “Against all Odds” single the Bilz and Kashif depict the everyday struggle that people go through. Kashif, “It’s a real story. In the video we see struggle. A DJ working on his craft, a man working in a restaurant but inspired to write music. People can relate to having to work hard to achieve something.”
The album, no doubt, showcases each of the group members and their backgrounds. Master D, whose mother is a singer that taught him both singing and the harmonium, brought in influences that range from classical music to the compositions of R.D. Burman and A.R. Rahman. Vicious’s DJ background was apparent in the ubran feel of many of the songs. And Kashif’s song writing ability made you think about setting up a bubble bath, lighting some candles, and immersing yourself completely.
So check it out yourself: their album is out!
