Since she appeared on the music scene back at the turn of the century, Jill Scott has released 5 top-selling albums and appeared in 4 major motion pictures. She’s also appeared on several television shows and even in her own TV series, “The #1 Ladies’ Detective Agency,” in which she starred on HBO.
Scott has had featured songs on a multitude of movie soundtracks, been married and divorced and has a son. JETT HAMILTON ROBERTS was born at 4:20pm in the afternoon on April 20th, 2009 – “or maybe we can roll a tree”… can’t help but come to mind from her hit song “A Long Walk,” given that little factoid ;-).
Now Jill is hitting the road for her “Block Party Tour” in celebration and promotion of her latest album “The Light of the Sun.” Below is an interview she did with the media outlet “Metro,” which was provided by her publicist, The Chambers Group:
This show is more than just a concert. It feels like a big event.
It’s a whole bunch of fun with live musicians and great vocalists. I wanted to hear Stokely (of opening act Mint Condition) and Anthony Hamilton sing every night. Also I really enjoy hip-hop and nobody is better than DJ Jazzy Jeff. I reached out to him and that’s so full circle. He’s the one who was instrumental in putting me out in the first place. And then who’s better to keep the party live than Dougie Fresh?
Why did you go with the Block Party concept?
A block party is always a good time. Not a lot of pretense at a typical block party. You’re going to come. You’re going to see the people in your community and have fun. I like that kind of energy.
What do you think the tone of this new record is?
Freedom. We didn’t know what we were going to do. It just happened. It’s been the best time of my career. I have a template now. I know how I really enjoy creating. I don’t want to be in an environment where its “Let’s make hits.” What’s that? That’s work. That’s an agenda. This is music.
A lot has changed for you over the past couple years. I’ve read that taking over the reins of your recording career with your new label deal and a 60-pound weight loss were all parts of a plan to set a good example for your toddler.
I want to be around for him. There’s something about having a son particularly that put another level of fire under my bones. I just want to show him how to do the best you can. That’s a good early lesson for him from me. I want him to be proud of me.
Jill Scott plays the Bank of America Pavilion in Boston TONIGHT!; the Nikon at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York on July 28th and at the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, New Jersey on August 6th. Camden is just outside of Scott’s hometown of Philadelphia. Host of radio show “DriveTime Live” Lady K had this to say: “I wish Beyonce understood the importance and spiritual bond ENDINGS make in music and commit to beautiful and delicate conclusions to her work. Her recordings are okay but they lack maturity in this regard. At times the overdone endings are shrill and ruin her work outright. Otherwise, I enjoyed her new album. JILL SCOTT on the other hand?! Every track and lyric grows on you & when it all comes together, you start hanging out in certain neighhborhoods on the album. Currently, Im residing on tracks 3,5 and 15. The movements and musicality on # 5 are stellar. Her vocal range evokes a young Diana Ross and at times, Anita Baker mixed with her own grown woman.. fu*king brilliant!” DRIVETIME LIVE! is a bi-weekly radio program focused on Spirituality and Relationship topics. It broadcasts live every other Wednesday from 3:30-4 pm ET on WHCR-90.3 FM. Listen in at www.whcr.org and even join in on the discussion at 212.491.4685. You can visit DriveTime at www.facebook.com/drivetimelive.
The music of Jill Scott includes the CDs: Words and Sounds, Volumes 1-3 — Who Is Jill Scott?; Beautifully Human; and The Real Thing, respectively. She’s also got two LIVE releases out there titled Experience: Jill Scott 826+, that includes what were new tracks at the time AND Live in Paris+, which includes a DVD. Additionally, Jill dropped an album called Collaborations, that features duets with rappers like Will Smith, Common, Lupe Fiasco, Will.I.Am and Mos Def, as well as singers and musicians such as Al Jarreau, George Benson, Chris Botti, Darius Rucker and Sergio Mendes. As her current album The Light of the Sun continues to soar, on August 30th Jill will drop her eighth record, The Original Jill Scott From The Vault, Volume 1. The project will also be sold as a “Deluxe Edition,” for her hardcore friends and fans.
for the LOVE of Jill Scott
c-dub
