People Are Talking About...Jill Scott
(Essence.com, 11/03/00) Who is she? Ten fast facts about this neo-soul sister.
The voice seemingly blasted onto the
scene from nowhere, soaring to piercing highs and dipping to rich lows,
making people repeat the question her album's title poses: Who is
Jill Scott? Check her out in the December issue of Essence.
Whether she is singing about long
walks through the park or warning you that you'll catch a beatdown for
chasing her man, she pumps new life into the tradition of sisters who
can sang. If you haven't yet heard her debut album--which
just went gold--or you simply want to know more about the soulful diva,
here are ten fast facts:
Illy Jilly from Philly
Jill hails from Philadelphia, a city known for its rich Black music
history. She's part of a current neo-soul/hip-hop renaissance,
along with fellow Philly artists like The Roots, Bahamadia, Eve,
Jazzyfatnastees, Bilal, DJ Jazzy Jeff and Musiq Soulchild.
It's in the genes, y'all
The only other person in Jill's family who sang was her grandmother--not
professionally, but in the tub every morning. She and other family
members would eavesdrop on her grandmother while she was warbling
praises to Jehovah for the magnificence of her hands and feet.
Jill credits her grandmother for her earthy style.
Lil' Miss Wordsmith
Jill wrote her first poem in the eighth grade, but because she aspired
to be a teacher, she didn't pick up her poet's pen again until her
twenties. At first, she wanted to keep her poems to herself, but
impressed friends weren't trying to hear it. They convinced her to
perform at poetry readings, and after an overwhelming response,
girlfriend was hooked!
A true calling
Jill studied English literature at Temple University, but dropped out
during her third year, in search of something closer to her heart.
Not long after leaving school in 1998, she landed a part in the Canadian
production of the hit Broadway musical Rent.
Her flavor tastes like...
Jill has been compared to contemporary artists like Lauryn Hill and
references to Billie Holiday, Stevie Wonder and Minnie Ripperton have
also popped up. But she flips her flow so many ways, it's obvious
Jill's got a style all her own.
Real love
When Jill sings about love, you'd best believe that it's for real.
One of the tracks on Who Is Jill Scott, "A Long Walk,"
is about her first date with fiancé, Lyzel Williams, a graphic
designer.
She's not hatin'
Although you hear Erykah Badu's distinctive vocals on The Roots' hit
single "You Got Me," it was Jill who co-penned and provided
the original vocal hook for the track. Initially upset that her
vocals weren't used, she quickly got over it when the song won a Grammy
for best rap performance (duo or group) in 1999.
Everyone's down with Jill
If Jill's soaring vocals sound familiar, it's because she's appeared
on a host of albums including The Roots' The Roots Come Alive, motion
picture and soundtracks for The Wood, In Too Deep and Wild
Wild West, Will Smith's Willennium and Common's Like Water
for Chocolate.
Can a sista get some love?
During the three months she toured with Rent in Vancouver,
Jill was baffled by the lack of love she received from some Canadian
brothers who, for some reason, wouldn't even say hello to her on the
street. She says that her song "Do You Remember?"
reflects on that experience.
Stay healthy, Jill
Jill was diagnosed in September with Sudden Deafness Syndrome.
Caused by strenuous physical activity or sudden changes in barometric
pressure (like air travel), the condition temporarily robbed her of 85
percent of her hearing in her right ear. But she's better now,
touring once again and sharing that amazing voice.
Vonetta
Booker is a freelance writer who lives in Brooklyn. She's also the
editor of urban lifestyle e-zine Triscene.com.
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