Interview – Jill Scott

BBM’s Hannah Shakir speaks to the legendary soul singer, Jill Scott. Having scooped numerous awards as well as three Grammy’s and with six studio albums under her belt as well as some successful stints acting in films such as ‘Hounddog’ and ‘Why Did I Get Married?,’ it’s fair to say that the singer/poet/actress and mother is a very interesting person.

What have you been up to this/last week?

Jill: Well I went to the Soul Train Awards… and I won best R&B female artist which was really, really special. I saw all kinds of artists that I love: Cee Lo Green, Marsha Ambrosius, I got to dance with the legendary Julius Irving, who is Dr J for basketball fans out of The States. I had a really nice time. I’m trying to think of it all, there’s so many good things! I’ve had a really nice week.

You’re heading to the UK soon, are you looking forward to that?

Jill: of course, of course! Some of the best audiences I’ve ever had, love to be there, I cant wait to get my Nando’s fix!

Yeah Nandos is alright!

Jill: Yeah I do really enjoy them. I always have great audiences [in the UK], you guys have so much passion! And you yell so loud and you sing along and I’m like YES! That’s all an artist really wants is just to be appreciated and listened too. I feel heard, you know. That’s what I don’t get here in the United States, because I really, really do, but it’s just another intensity and passion, it’s like, I know you’ve heard that before!

Well that was my next question: how do we compare to the US crowds, but I guess you’ve answered that!

Jill: Really different, it’s the next level of excitement. I think in the states they get so used to seeing us. So I suppose they’re accustomed to us being here so… They come, and they support and they scream and they do all of it. I love performing in the United States as well, but there’s always and extra little something, something when I get to the UK.

Where are you off to after the UK? Are you going back to America or are you on anywhere else?

Jill: After the UK where am I going? I’m going to Oslo, yeah I’m going to Olso after I’ve been to Paris and Amsterdam and London and… Where else am I going? I can’t remember them all but I’m ending up in Olso to perform at the Nobel Peace Prize.

Wow, are you looking forward to that?

Jill: I know right!

That’s so cool!

Jill: I know, I know! I’ve heard about the Nobel Peace Prize, I’ve done reports on people who won the Nobel Peace Prize, you know when I was a kid, but to actually go there and be performing with I think a 60/30 piece orchestra! Bonkers! Love it.

So it’s been a good year for you so far!

Jill: It’s been the best year of my professional career. I’ve just enjoyed every aspect of it. My son’s healthy and strong and funny and cool to be around. The touring was great, I toured with Anthony Hamilton and Doug E Fresh and Mint Condition this year. I called it the Block Party and DJ Jazzy Jeff was the DJ… It was sooo extra cool! People danced and had a great time, so that was the touring and, you know, life other than that is just… It’s GOOOD! There’s a nice balance between working hard and playing hard and getting some rest in between. That’s what really matters!

Yeah! Obviously you released The Light of the Sun this year. What’s the response been to that? How’s that gone down?

Jill: So far it’s been incredible. The response to the record has been great, people really seem to understand it and appreciate it. It’s getting a lot of critical acclaim, which is always nice. And most importantly people are enjoying the music and that’s the best thing I could ask for, it feels good.

I really like that song ‘Quick,’ it’s really fun to listen to.

Jill: Me too. Thanks! It’s very alive. That’s the record. The record is alive and the musicianship is alive and the passion and the honesty is there. You know, really hard core. I went in, as you say.

And what was the thinking behind ‘Some Other Time’?

Jill: You know just being a single woman out in the world. Sometimes the press for intimacy is too strong, even from myself. It’s better just to take time to get to know someone. That’s if you want something more, you know. If you just want a physical relationship then have it. Protect yourself and have it but you know, if you want more, if you want a friend and a confidant and a partner in an existence then take your time, slow down. Why waste all that good lovin’ for somebody that isn’t worth it?

Yes it sounded very wise. You collaborated with Eve on ‘Shame’. How did that come about?

Jill: Eve is a silly girl, I’m a silly girl, and I just wanted to play so that’s why I called Eve. She’s alive and cool and free and you know I just called her to see what’s up and she though it was fun too so that’s what we did! I don’t take it all too seriously.

Obviously you’re a poet as well. Where do you look for inspiration when you’re writing poetry and lyrics?

Jill: Life. I listen to girlfriends, I try to catch the bus when I can, people have conversations on the bus out loud, so I can hear. You know it’s not intentionally, they don’t know I’m earballin’ but I am! Just from life, listening to what’s happening with people and looking at myself. I do a lot of self-evaluation. Seeing where I am right now.

What’s your favourite process with being an artist? Is it the writing or performing or the recording?

Jill: Hmm, that’s honestly a really hard question, because there’s stages to it and I really enjoy each one! I like those times when I’m in the studio until 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning. I enjoy that, being with great musicians and producers and vocalists, just enjoying ourselves. But I’m super blessed you know, I get to create and I love that. That’s the great part of it all, figuring it out and bursting into the studio and letting it pour out. And then, you know, there’s the preparation for touring and being with the musicians that I love and interpreting and reinterpreting. I love that! And then there’s always getting out on the stage and being in front of an audience that’s excited and animated and passionate. It’s all food, I just feel like I’m getting fed. As and artist and as a human being, it’s wonderful.

And I was going to ask you, do you know the band Metronomy?

Jill: I don’t.

They reference you in one of their songs. The lead singer says that you’re a friend of his and it’s quite a silly lyric but we were just wondering do you actually know Joseph Mount out of Metronomy?

Jill: His name’s what?

Joseph Mount

Jill: I don’t think so. What does he sing?

He just goes “Jill Scott’s a friend of mine,” because it rhymes with the lyric just before it!

Jill: Then I’m a friend of his, yep!

You’ll have to give them a listen!

Jill: I will, I will! I’m really excited about coming too because there’s so much new music that’s going on in the UK, I need you guys to hook me up!

Yeah it’s crazy here at the moment, we’re having new music, new artists are coming out every week and it’s really strong stuff as well so… It’s an exciting place at the moment. And when did you discover your actual talent for music? Was it really early on?

Jill: Umm, I don’t know, honestly. I don’t know it just all started happening. I knew that I loved to sing, I knew that it felt good, I knew that it moved people. Um, I just, how can I explain? I wasn’t the artist that always dreamed of being an artist. I was going to be a teacher. And that was my focus, and life happened. Life just happened and next thing I knew I was in a theatre company and working in that genre, learning Shakespeare and Sondheim and then I was in a Broadway production and… I don’t know! One thing lead to the next!

And you were very successful at it!

Jill: Yeah so far so good, I just really appreciate it all, it’s been a good ride.

Have you got any plans to go out to Australia?

Jill: I would love to go to Australia, except I hear that there’s a lot of cockroaches.

Haha. Um, not too many – if you stick to the right places!

Jill: But I do love the audience and I get messages from Australian folks on Twitter constantly and they’re asking me to come. Id love to come, just keep the cockroaches at bay! Please!

Well i’m sure they’d really like to see you so you have to let us know if you’re going out there.

Jill: I’d just have to get my fear in check!

I should let you get on Jill, thanks so much for speaking to us!

Jill: Pleasure

By Hannah Shakir