Jill Scott
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Jill Scott | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 4 1972 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Genre(s) | R&B, soul, neo soul, jazz, quiet storm, spoken word soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, poet, actress |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Label(s) | Hidden Beach |
| Website | www.jillscott.com |
Jill Scott (born April 4 1972) is a Grammy award-winning American R&B, soul, and jazz singer, songwriter, actress and poet.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Early life
Scott grew up an only child in the North Philadelphia neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was raised by her mother, Joyce Scott, and her grandmother. She indicated in an interview with Jet Magazine that she had a happy childhood and was "very much a loved child".[1] Scott attended the Philadelphia High School for Girls and after graduating, attended Temple University while simultaneously working two jobs. She studied secondary education for three years and had planned on becoming a high school English teacher, but after spending time as a teacher's aide, Scott became disillusioned with the teaching profession and dropped out of school.[2]
Prior to her breakthrough in the music industry, Scott worked at a variety of jobs, including a number of retail positions and stints at a construction site and an ice cream parlor. She remains close to her mother and grandmother, nicknamed "Blue Babe", resides in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, and is divorcing her husband of five years, Lyzel Williams, who is a graphic artist and DJ, after twelve years together. (Scott wrote and recorded the song "He Loves Me (Lyzel in E Flat)" about Williams.)[citation needed]
[edit] Music career
Scott began her performing career as a spoken word artist, appearing at live poetry readings to perform her work. She was eventually discovered by Amir "?uestlove" Thompson of The Roots. Questlove invited her to join the band in the studio, and the collaboration resulted in a co-writing credit for Scott for the song, "You Got Me." In 2000, Erykah Badu and The Roots won the Grammy for best rap performance by a duo or group for "You Got Me".[3] Subsequently, Scott collaborated with Eric Benet, Will Smith, and Common, and broadened her performing experience by touring Canada in a production of the Broadway musical Rent.
Scott was the first artist signed to Steve McKeever's 'Hidden Beach Recordings' label. Her debut album, Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 was released in 2000. She experienced some chart success and notice with the single "A Long Walk", which eventually earned her a Grammy nomination in early 2003 for Best Female Vocal Performance. Scott lost that award, but won a 2005 Grammy for Best Urban/Alternative R&B Performance for "Cross My Mind." The live album, Experience:Jill Scott 826+, was released November 2001. Scott's second full-length album, Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2, followed in 2004.
Scott continues to write poetry; a compilation volume of her poems, The Moments, The Minutes, The Hours, was published and released by St. Martin's Press in April 2005.[4] Recently, Scott was prominently featured on hip-hop artist Lupe Fiasco's 2006 single "Daydreaming" which also appearred on a new Scott collection called Collaborations on January 30, 2007.[5][6]
The Collaborations collection served as "an appetizer" for her next studio album, The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3 released September 25, 2007.[7] A clip of the title track was released on a bonus disc from Hidden Beach Records and included with Collaborations. The lead single "Hate on Me", gained airplay in May 2007 with a video released in mid-July. In advance of the album's release, Hidden Beach released a 17-minute album sampler through their forums.[8] Interspersed between the dozen songs previewed on the sampler was a personal explanation from Jill for the inspiration behind some of her songs.
[edit] Film and television
On advice of her good friend, director Ozzie Jones, she began pursuing a career in acting in 2000.[9] She joined a fellowship at a theater company in Philadelphia. For two years, she took small, menial, jobs in exchange for acting lessons.
In 2004, Scott expanded her resume by appearing in several episodes of season four of UPN's "Girlfriends" playing Donna, a love interest to main character, William Dent. She also appeared in the Showtime movie Cavedwellers, starring Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick.[10] She will star as Precious Ramotswe in a movie version of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, currently in production.[11]
In 2007, Scott starred in Hounddog and in Tyler Perry's movie, Why Did I Get Married?.
[edit] Vocal profile
Scott is a vocalist who infused jazz, R&B, spoken word, and hip hop among other genres to create a distinct style that many refer to as neo soul. Her vocal capabilities are so rich that a reviewer on Pop Matter, referring to Scott's vocal ability stated, 'Scott draws on her upper register recalling the artistry of the late "songbird" Minnie Riperton and Deniece Williams'.[12] The same reviewer in another article stated, 'The song evokes the artistry of Minnie Riperton as Scott sings in the upper register that makes its only appearances on Who is Jill Scott? on the teasing "I Think It's Better" and "Show Me".[13] Scott has "a very rare facility to hit notes in the sixth and seventh octave, as displayed on songs such as 'Gimme' where she hits a D6, and on 'Spring Summer Feeling' where she hits a C7 note with full vibrato".[14]
[edit] Other appearances
Her live performance in 2004 with members of The Roots, which also included backing a performance by Erykah Badu, is featured in Dave Chappelle's 2006 concert film, Dave Chappelle's Block Party.
[edit] Charity work & advocacy
Scott has established the Blues Babe Foundation, a program founded to help young minority students pay for university expenses. The Blues Babe Foundation offers financial assistance to students between the ages of sixteen to twenty-one, and targets students residing in Philadelphia, Camden, and the greater Delaware Valley. Scott donated USD$100,000 to help start the foundation. The foundation was named after Scott's grandmother, known as "Blue Babe" because of the bluish tint in her brown complexion.
On the foundation's website, it defines its mission statement as one where it "seeks to provide financial support and mentoring for those students who have shown the aptitude and commitment to their education, but whose families may not have the resources to ensure completion of their undergraduate degrees".[15]
In the spring of 2003, the Blues Babe Foundation made a donation of more than $60,000 to the graduating class of the Creative Arts School in Camden, New Jersey. Any student who maintained a 3.2 GPA received a yearly stipend for the next three years that was put toward his or her college education.
At the Essence Music Festival in July 2006, Scott spoke out about how women of color are portrayed in the lyrics of rap songs, and in rap music videos. Scott criticized the content for being "dirty, inappropriate, inadequate, unhealthy, and polluted" and urged the listening audience to "demand more".[16]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Year | Album | US | US R&B | UK | RIAA certification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 | 17 | 2 | 69 | 2x Platinum |
| 2001 | Experience: Jill Scott 826+ | 38 | 7 | — | Gold |
| 2004 | Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2 | 3 | 1 | 27 | Gold |
| 2007 | Collaborations | 11 | 3 | — | — |
| The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3 | 4 | 2 | — | Gold (397,642 copies so far)[17] |
[edit] Singles
| Year | Song | U.S | U.S R&B | UK | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | "Gettin' In the Way" | 115[18] | 28 | 30 | Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 |
| 2001 | "A Long Walk" | 43 | 9 | 54 | |
| "The Way" | 60 | 15 | — | ||
| "Shining Through" (Fredro Starr featuring Jill Scott) | — | — | — | ||
| 2002 | "He Loves Me (Lyzel In E Flat)" | 125[19] | 46 | — | |
| "Gimme" | — | 107 [20] | — | ||
| 2004 | "Golden" | 110[21] | 31 | 59 | |
| 2005 | "Whatever" | 112[22] | 34 | — | |
| "Cross My Mind" | — | 38 | — | ||
| "The Fact Is (I Need You)" | — | 63 | — | ||
| 2006 | "Daydreamin'" (Lupe Fiasco featuring Jill Scott) | — | 83 | 25 | |
| 2007 | "Hate on Me" | 107 | 24 | —1 | The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3 |
| "My Love'" | — | 101 | — |
1 notes that "Hate On Me" failed to chart in the official UK Singles Chart, but reached #16 on the Official UK R&B chart
[edit] Grammy Award history
| Category | Genre | Song | Year | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Urban/Alternative Performance | R&B | "Daydreamin'" (Lupe Fiasco featuring Jill Scott) | 2008 | Nominated |
| Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | R&B | "Hate On Me" | 2008 | Nominated |
| Best R&B Album | R&B | The Real Thing: Words & Sounds Vol. 3 | 2008 | Nominated |
| Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance | R&B | "God Bless The Child" (George Benson & Al Jarreau featuring Jill Scott) | 2007 | Won |
| Best R&B Album | R&B | Beautifully Human: Words & Sounds Vol. 2 | 2005 | Nominated |
| Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | R&B | "Whatever" | 2005 | Nominated |
| Best Urban/Alternative Performance | R&B | "Cross My Mind" | 2005 | Won |
| Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | R&B | "He Loves Me (Lyzel In E Flat) (Movement I, II, III)" | 2003 | Nominated |
| Best Female R&B Vocal Performance | R&B | "A Long Walk" | 2002 | Nominated |
| Best New Artist | General | n/a | 2001 | Nominated |
| Best R&B Female Vocal Performance | R&B | "Gettin' In the Way" | 2001 | Nominated |
| Best R&B Album | R&B | Who Is Jill Scott? Words & Sounds Vol. 1 | 2001 | Nominated |
[edit] Awards/nominations
- BET Awards
- 2005, Best Female R&B Artist[Nominated]
- 2001, Best Female R&B Artist [Nominated]
- 2001, Best New Artist [Nominated]
- Image Awards
- 2005, Outstanding Music Video: "Golden" [Nominated]
- 2005, Outstanding Song: "Golden" [Nominated]
- 2005, Outstanding Female Artist: Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2 [Nominated]
- 2002, Outstanding Duo or Group: "Kingdom Come Theme Song" [Nominated] w/ Kirk Franklin
- 2002, Outstanding Album: Jill Scott-The Experience [Nominated]
- 2002, Outstanding Song: "He Loves Me" [Nominated]
- 2002, Outstanding Female Artist: Jill Scott- The Experience [Nominated]
- 2001, Outstanding New Artist: Who is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 [Nominated]
- 2001, Outstanding Song: "Gettin' In the Way" [Nominated]
- 2001, Outstanding Female Artist: Who is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 [Nominated]
- 2001, Outstanding Album: [[Who is Jill Scott? Words nnd Sounds Vol. 1 [Nominated]
- Lady of Soul Awards
- 2005, Best R&B/Soul Album, Solo: Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2 [Nominated]
- 2001, Best R&B/Soul Single, Solo: "A Long Walk" (Winner)
- 2001, Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist: "A Long Walk" (Winner)
- 2001, Best R&B/Soul Album, Solo: Who is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 (Winner)
- MTV Video Music Awards
- 2001, Best R&B Video: "Gettin' In the Way" [Nominated]
- Soul Train Awards
- 2005, Best R&B/Soul Female Single: "Golden" [Nominated]
- 2005, Best R&B/Soul Female Album: Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2 [Nominated]
- 2001, Best R&B/Soul Female Single: "Gettin' In the Way" [Nominated]
- 2001, Best R&B/Soul or Rap New Artist: "Gettin' In the Way" (Nominated)
- 2001, Best R&B/Soul Female Album: Who is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 [Winner]
- Vibe Awards
- 2004, R&B Voice of the Year [Nominated]
[edit] References
- ^ Jill Scott: SINGER KEEPS IT REAL WITH SOULFUL, DOWN-HOME SOUND - Interview. Jet (August 20, 2001).
- ^ Touré (April 26, 2001). Soul Sister Number One. Rolling Stone.
- ^ http://www.inkblotmagazine.com/rev-archive/Jill_Scott.htm
- ^ Who is Jill Scott? Now she's a poet too. NPR (April 27, 2005).
- ^ Cohen, Jonathan (December 26, 2006). Hidden Beach Rounds Up Jill Scott's 'Collaborations'.
- ^ Jill Scott. Hidden Beach Recordings.
- ^ http://www.chartattack.com/damn/2007/01/0210.cfm
- ^ http://family.hiddenbeach.com/index.php?automodule=downloads&showfile=10
- ^ Jill Scott on Acting, Singing, and Divorce. Retrieved October 15, 2007.
- ^ http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1264/is_4_35/ai_n6132452
- ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/23/movies/23wines.html
- ^ http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/s/scottjill-experience.shtml
- ^ Neal, Mark Anthony. The Isley Brothers Featuring Ronald Isley aka Mr. Biggs: 'Eternal' (DreamWorks). Pop Matters.
- ^ Book Jill Scott. 1-800-4ENTERTAINMENT. Retrieved on January 2, 2007.
- ^ http://www.bluesbabefoundation.org/
- ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/5149498.stm
- ^ http://pulsemusic.proboards48.com/index.cgi?board=gmn&action=display&thread=1196868234&page=2
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=344&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Bubbling+Under+Hot+100+Singles&ci=3039712&cdi=7646678&cid=11%2F04%2F2000
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=344&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Bubbling+Under+Hot+100+Singles&ci=3044145&cdi=7807919&cid=01%2F12%2F2002
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=345&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Bubbling+Under+R%26amp%3BB%2FHip-Hop+Singles&ci=3045599&cdi=7860396&cid=05%2F25%2F2002
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=344&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Bubbling+Under+Hot+100+Singles&ci=3055248&cdi=8204390&cid=09%2F11%2F2004
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/esearch/chart_display.jsp?cfi=344&cfgn=Singles&cfn=Bubbling+Under+Hot+100+Singles&ci=3057161&cdi=8274696&cid=02%2F12%2F2005
Movies 2007 Film "Why Did I Get Married"
[edit] External links
- Official Jill Scott website
- Jill Scott Corporate Booking Agent
- Jill Scott on Myspace
- Blues Babe Foundation website
- Harris, Isoul (2004). "Beatifically Human" www.alternet.org (accessed August 7, 2006)
- [1] 'Hate On Me' on Soundfires.comde:Jill Scott
es:Jill Scott fr:Jill Scott pl:Jill Scott sk:Jill Scott
Categories: All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements since December 2007 | 1972 births | African-American actors | African-American singer-songwriters | American female singers | American jazz singers | American rhythm and blues singers | American soul singers | English-language singers | Former Jehovah's Witnesses | Grammy Award winners | Living people | Neo soul singers | Pennsylvania musicians | People from Philadelphia | Spoken Word Soul | Women in jazz
