The Breakfast Club - INTERVIEW: Jill Scott On Divine Timing, Honesty, Healing + New Album 'To Whom This May Concern'

Episode Date: February 13, 2026

Today on The Breakfast Club, Jill Scott On Divine Timing, Honesty, Healing + New Album 'To Whom This May Concern'. Listen For More!  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BreakfastClubPower1051FMSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is an I-Heart podcast. Guaranteed human. In the middle of the night, Saskia awoke in a haze. Her husband, Mike, was on his laptop. What was on his screen would change Saskia's life forever. I said, I need you to tell me exactly what you're doing. And immediately, the mask came off. You're supposed to be safe.

That's your home. That's your husband. Listen to Betrayal Season 5 on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 1969, Malcolm and Martin are gone. America is in crisis. At a Morehouse college, the students make their move. These students, including a young Samuel L. Jackson, locked up the members of the Board of Trustees, including Martin Luther King's senior.

It's the true story of protests and rebellion in black American history that you'll never forget. I'm Hans Charles. I'm Minnick Lamumba. Listen to the A building on the I Heart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Over the last couple years, didn't we learn that the folding chair was invented by black people because of what happened in Alabama?

This Black History Month, the podcast, Selective Ignorance with Mandy B, unpacked black history and culture with comedy, clarity, and conversations that shake the status quo. The Crown Act in New York was signed in July of 2019, and that is a bill that was passed to prohibit discrimination based on hairstyles associated with race.

To hear this and more, listen to Selective Ignorance with Mandy B from the Black Effect Podcast Network on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. I'm Bowen-Yang. And I'm Matt Rogers. During this season of the Two Guys' Five Rings podcast,

in the lead-up to the Milan-Cortina-2026 winner Olympic Games, we've been joined by some of our friends. Hi, Bob, hi, how now. Hey, Elmo. Hey, Matt, hey, Bowen. Hi, Cookie. Hi. Now the Winter Olympic Games are underway, and we are in Italy to give you experiences from our hearts to your ears.

Listen to two guys, five rings on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Every day I wake up. You're all finished or y'all done? Morning, everybody is DJ Envi. Just hilarious. Salomein the guy. We are the breakfast club. Launlerosa's here.

And we got a special guest in the building. The legend, the icon, has returned to bless us with her presents once again. Ladies and gentlemen, Jill Scott. back welcome how you feeling thank you thank you how do you feel miss Jill excited mm-hmm excited first album in a decade 10 years that's what I hear to whom me make concern yes sir by the way I love the way you release music because it it feels like you release music when you feel like you want to when the spirit moves you how do you know when it's the right time to release me because I have

too much and then I it lets me relax when it's not finished I can keep tweaking, touching, touching, tweaking, finding new flavors, seasonings, musicians, producers. And when it's done, it leaves me alone. And then I can just listen. And I have so much that I could just listen to. I knew I was done. It's like, okay. Now I can create.

So people would assume that you stopped recording for a little bit and then you just started recording recently, but you've been recording this whole time. I mean, it doesn't stop. It's going to show up. I mean, what are you going to do? I do record, but I don't, I just go when I feel like it. Or for no intention, just because I have to get it out other than that. It's not like I'm thinking about an album until it's done.

Are you like a comedian? Like, you know, comedians always say they got to stop and live a little life before they get back on the stage. Are you like that? Absolutely. Yeah, yeah, I got to make dinner. I got to go grocery shopping. I got to see my mom.

I got to have her put me in my place a little bit, you know, raise my kids. Do stuff. Mm-hmm. Absolutely. Other than that, what are we talking about? I saw you talking about when you took the time off and how intentional you are with just being a mom in that time that you took off and then explaining to your son about like why you got to get back to work and teaching him that.

How has it been now that you're back out on the road and you're doing all these things and getting back into the swing of things? Well, he's 16 now. Mm-hmm. And I didn't have to explain anything to him. He knew. He was in the studio with me. You know, he's the one that suggested J.I.D.

He's the one that suggested Tierra whack, you know, he's been a part of the whole process. So you got him working. So he's an A&R. He is, he is an A&R. Absolutely. We'll see what else he can do. Right now he's a scuba diving,

cross-country, singing, writing person thus far. All of that. Yeah, thus far. I'm just watching to see, you know, what I could do. You know, how I can help out with the thing. Does he know how special his mom is and how powerful his mom is? Well, he loves me, you know?

like whether I do well or if I you know what I have or don't have he he loves me you know we love each other yeah you're special and powerful to him in ways that we would never understand you as mom I love him I appreciate him I respect him try to help him in any dream that he has and I don't even know what that don't even mean I don't know I don't care as long as he's happy and he can take care of himself financially that matters to us. I'm straight. Like, he's a good person.

He's so funny. He's cool. So I'm glad he suggested J.I.D. I was, we listened to him. You know, like this is our music in the kitchen. This is what Jett and I do when we have time together. And he said, Mom, why don't you call J.I.D? And I was like,

I don't know him, Jet. And he's like, just DM him. And that's what you did? Yeah. And minutes later, he texted back like, what's up, Queen? What you want? Not what you want to do? And I was like, well, he said, send it. And within 24 hours, he sent his verse back. And when I tell you, I asked him specifically, I said, I need you to paint a picture with words. This is what I require of the emcees that I love and the emcees that I put on my projects. I need you to paint pictures. Less than 24 hours. bars. You can see it, you could taste it. He painted. Brilliant. So proud of him and so happy that he's on my project. So what made you put Absol on O to Nicky? Because I feel like old to Nicky would have been such a personal record to you that you would want to keep that to yourself. What made you reach out to Ab Sol? Because Nikki Giovanni inspired writers. She inspired

poets. And Absol is an ill MC. Absolutely. He's so thought-provoking, I have to go back and listen again and again, and then I pull out books and, you know, I pick up Wikipedia or whatever, you know, to find out exactly what he's talking about because he's that thoughtful, he's that prolific. He's had quite a life experience, and it represents in his writing deeply. So when I did Ode to Nikki, she's the first poet that I ever found out about at school, black poet, black woman. And it was just awesome to see myself on paper like that. My people, my neighborhood, you know, my love on paper.

So when I did old to Nikki, she had just passed. Absol seemed like the right guy to me. I mean, no, he sounds great on it. He does sound great on it. I just wanted to know the meaning because I'm like, that's a big compliment for Absol. Because we spent a lot of time talking. We clicked really easily. So we talked about the Celestine Prize.

like within minutes of just talking to each other and moved on from from there. So yeah, he was the right person for me to choose. So you look so happy. Like you look so glowing. I've been watching your rollout, right? I've seen you with a demu and I seen you doing a lot of pressing. You just look and feel like a positive vibe. I feel good.

I did something that I really wanted to do and it means a lot to me. And I have an opportunity to share it and perform. it in front of people that will be looking at me like I look at them. And I get a chance to travel some more and make some money, you know. But you even like even when I see you do these interviews, you're blushing. It's like it's like you're overly loving. I love it. I love it.

Even when you got here this morning, you said, what time do you guys get here in the morning? But you was smiling and happy about it. Like I love it. And I love to see artists like that, that love the craft. You can tell when the artist has to do something for money or when an artist has to do something because the label is requiring it or management required. Then you can tell when somebody. he just loves putting out music.

Push out albums every 10 years. She doesn't do anything because the label wants her to do. I know. That's what I'm saying. You can tell the difference. Even your rollout felt like a hook. Yeah. Like, I saw you, you went from Gilly and Wallow,

then I saw you on Angie Martinez. Then eventually you started doing, like you were posting like the letters on your Instagram and kind of explaining the project. And I'm like, this just feels like I'm being ushered into like a whole new world of things. That was the plan. I have a new publicist.

I think she's absolutely wonderful. Her name was Erica Trucker. Tucker, forgive me. I think she's fantastic. But we had a whole other idea, like two days before we started doing the rollout. Two days before, I just was like, hold on, hold on, hold on, hold on. We're talking about beautiful people. If we're going to put beautiful people out as an introduction to the album.

Because really, that's who I'm calling. I'm calling the people that light up from the inside, you know, that love, love. Yeah, love, love, that are, again, financially respectful to their lives. Make sense? Okay. And so if that's the intention, this is the call out, well, let me represent the people that have been so beautiful in helping me with this project. You know, it's all been organic. I met a guy at a party.

He was like, I'm two shorts, engineer. And I was like, I believe you. That record, the church going to be mad at you. Oh, yeah, possibly. That's like part two, a Drusky skit. Possibly. It's the church in the education system, too, though, right? Could you mention education in there as well?

Yes, and the pharmaceutical. Yes, big pharma. Yeah. You ain't lied, though. I know. You didn't lie. And even just the choice to go get too short, to come on there and describe pimping.

The mentality of a pimp. What is it? So we're clear. I'm not saying anything. I'm not trying to be mean to you. What I want to be mean to somebody for it. That's not it. This is what it is.

Right. This is what it is. And I have a thoroughbred pimp to tell you so, to give you all the information that you need. And this has been brought to you by education. Because I want you to know. Are those records easy or hard to create? Easy.

Really easy. The musician's name is Kari Martine. I met him when he was like a kid at the studio. Now he played every instrument on that. Every instrument. Right. Right. Okay.

He gives me this music. It feels like it feels like the player's ball. It feels like it's pampy. It's a fela. It's like revolutionary at the same time. And I was like, yeah, okay, what am I going to talk about? This is what I want to say. I say, preacher, man, what you're trying to do?

Trying to get this money. Is that all you do? When mama ain't got squat, but you take that toe. And you ain't good for the people. I ain't moved. Where's the universities? Where's all the food for free? People can't pay the bells

But you're still riding around in the cooped veil Biggest pimp of the year Mm Mm-hmm So how, so when you look When you meet two shorts What do you say? You met as an engineer in the...

I met Too Short at something. He's just a part of me. I don't even know when I didn't know too short. He's in hip-hop's DNA. Yo, is that what that is? Absolutely. Like immediate breath through. Absolutely.

Okay, that's what it is. Okay, okay, I don't feel too crazy. But I met his engineer at a party. He said, I'm a producer, and I also engineered for too short. I just believed him. I just believed him. I just believed him. So I gave him my number.

We exchanged numbers. I called him. He sent me music. He sent me off of the back, and he sent me pressure. Wow. When I say organic, like just allowing the things to be what they are, I'm talking to David Banner. You know, that's my dude.

And we're talking, he's been giving me music forever. He just keeps the inspiration churning, right? So he's, we're talking and I said, I got this track. I wanted to feel like, I wanted to feel like a marching band. I wanted to feel like HBCU marching band. That's what I want. That's what I want. He said, why don't you call Trombone Shorty?

You got his number? Yeah. Send it to him. me I called easy he went in and cut 480 tracks why would you do such a thing sir why would you do such a thing and he's just like I love you great intention so the way that is working I couldn't have planned it like even the day that it's you know come out it's it's uh February 13 13 13 yeah 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 One three.

No. February. 13th. Got it? I don't get it, but. Okay. On the 20, wait, 26th year, right? 26.

Nobody else in the room got it? Yes. Two, 13, 13 times? No. No. You ain't got it either. It's as simple as simple could be. I love, I call myself the queen of grand simple things.

two four one and three two and six wait two and six eight right

two four eight just as simple as can be these are the things that I look for just one things that's all that up basically I am after reading the Celestein prophecies I am driven.

I am driven. It's a path. I just follow it. Signs are obvious and evident. And I say yes. Whether I, you know, my number is four. Two is obviously. So I'm always looking for a four.

I'm looking for the right energy. And Friday the 13th kind of felt good to me. I don't know. And it's the day before Valentine's Day. I could have released it on Valentine's day. But I like this. I'm hoping people will listen and, and, like, have something to talk about. Most people would have stayed away from Friday to 13. Why? She's playing Jason. She's killing these holes. Listen. But when you talk about the Celestian prophecy, it's like, to me, I've always seen your aura. Like, when you talk about following the divine, like, You've always had that divine energy, that divine presence.

Like, that's why we've always gravitated towards you. It's a confirmation of what I already knew. Got you. Okay. It was a stamp. So when I'm not reading it, I'm listening to it, it's just a good story. Like, like any folklore, I would say, or Bible or Torah or Holy Quran, they're filled with stories that teach us how to live a life.

And obviously you get to choose how you do the thing. With the Celestine prophecy, it taught me that I'm already doing the things that I need to do. Like I always look for beauty, no matter what situation I'm in, where is the beauty? It's some. There's got to be some. And then you find it. The mud around your boot is rich. and it's kind of like mushy and something about it is a little satisfying so you step in the mud a little bit more

my boots are muddy but my spirit feels good so i follow these things there are nine uh insights the studio that i was working out of has i've worked there many times but it's been changed over and over again it's always closing down and starting again so i'm in the middle of celestine prophecy and I'm going to the studio because I've decided to take the month and just go every day, like, finish. And I'm walking up and I look, and they put that new sign on the studio

and it's I-N-C-I-I-T-E studios. I was like, Insight Studios, okay, I'm headed in the right direction. Don't give up. These are the things that I look for. Like little signs that are actually really big ones. And here I am with you.

That's been a while. So if everything's a sign, do you ever see a sign that says, I'm not going in that direction? I'm not going there. Or management, let's not do that because that does not feel right. It's not as easy. It's abrupt. It's harsh.

It's a jerk back. And I haven't really, I don't know how to, like, navigate that part yet. But I will get, I will get away. I will get away. I've learned that too. Then when the spirit says no, when your whole energy says no, what are you doing? Don't talk to this person. I remember talking to somebody at a party and I was like, why are you got?

Got COVID. All in my face. And I got COVID. I was like, see, girl, pay attention. Everything makes so much sense now because, you know, one of my favorite records on the album is pay you on. Tuesday, right? And it's so funny because my niece had put out a tweet yesterday and she put a few young black and gifted, get away from niggas and niggas shit ASAP, right? And I just thought that was hilarious. And then I heard pay you on Tuesday, but now I'm like, oh, she's staying away

from the poor me energy type. I mean, now that I hear you talk about the book so much, I'm like, oh, that's why she wrote that record. Part of it. Part of it, yeah. Part of it. And I know I keep saying financial, but I am really over us spending and buying things that we can't. afford for who for what it's so many things to do to taste to see places to be like I just

I'm what I just don't see how it profits us to you know I like nice stuff too I really do but I buy the stuff that I can afford and somebody else was like you can afford you don't know what I could afford and you don't know what I want but you at your wage

I do I do I do I do I think it's a wise decision. I save properly. I invest. I really want to switch out of this poverty mindset or the lacking mindset of some, you know, my family break away from these things. I'm not interested in doing that anymore.

I want to grow. And I want to make a whole lot of money. Like a whole lot. And I'm going to do great things with it. Enjoy it. I already do. Enjoy the money I have. I do dope shit on a regular.

I really do. It's been so nice. Oh, my God. You know, my son went to Tanzania to get his school for certification? Wow. That's amazing. That's so flying.

Tanzania is beautiful. I was like, ah! I've never been. I went to Zanzibar and Tanzania. Beautiful. I've never been, but he has, like, yes. But that's the most important thing, right? When we get to a place where it's like,

none of this matters, you just want your kids to be happy. Whatever it takes to be happy. Like I tell my daughter, my son, I don't care what you do. If you want to do nails, if you want to do hair, if you want to do sanitation, as long as you're happy.

Life is too short. Joyful. Happy is fleeting. Joyful. Joyful. Look for it. That's an insight as well. To constantly look for the joy.

Taste of food. Taste it. Feel the water. It's nice. And it sparks creativity. But I can't afford to eat that, Jill, and I can't afford to go there to swim in that water. So can you loan me something?

Let me get tips out of it real quick. I've learned this. If someone wants to borrow something from you, give them a job. Word. If they do the job and do the job well, then you're showing me something. I'm going to give you a small reimbursement contract.

I'm going to say, $25 a month. Fair? Yes. You don't pay the $25. I don't know how when it's going to stop. It's going to stop if you're consistent. If you're consistent.

If you're not consistent, you never have to worry about me again. You never have to ask me anything again. Because this was a contract. It didn't have any interest. This was respect. So I enjoy helping people. but I have to see what they want I have to see what they're doing

I got to see something you got to show me something you can't just tell me a dream okay when did you get to that point in your life because I saw you talking to Angie Martinez about that right and setting these boundaries but then I also hear you talk a lot about like

you carry so much for your family for a long time because you were trying to like y'all were trying to get out of the situations that you guys were in and I think that there's like a sometimes there's like this tug of war of like I'm able to help so I want to help but at the same time I got to set these boundaries. When did Jill Scott say, I didn't did enough. I got to stop this.

Now. Now. Something had to happen. I turned 50. And the light popped on again. Yeah. That's what happened. Time creates wisdom. You know, if you're paying attention. If you're not paying attention, it just creates age. But yeah, I've been paying attention. And I know that That doesn't make me feel good to watch people do things that are outside of their particular space, financial space. Like going on a cruise, okay? You're going on a cruise, but you didn't pay the mortgage. I can't help you with that. And the fact that you would ask me to is ridiculous.

You made a choice. That is your choice. It wasn't like something happened. Like, you know, the car broke down or, you know, the tuition is behind or it's nothing like that. And even if tuition is behind, how are them grades? How are they doing? What activities are they in? Because it's mine.

And I can share with you as I seem fit and deem fit. It might seem harsh, but I don't know. It feels right to me. I feel better. I don't feel way down by people's stuff. I don't think that's harsh. And also, what about when you give somebody money for mortgage, but then you go see them on a cruise after they just ask you from me.

I didn't get invited to the crew. What is nigger blues to you? That's his favorite song, by the way. It's called Pay You on Tuesday. I have a lot of favorite songs. I got a lot of favorite record, but that record was hit for me yesterday in a real way. I got a lot of favorite record on that, but that one really would be. music is medicinal

it'll hit you when you need it so what do you mean by like what does it do for you man for me it just put things in perspective based off what you're saying because you're saying a lot of that throughout the song as you're singing

but it's also it's like I don't want no more nigger blues stop putting your problems on me I can wake up in the morning and be good and then by the end of the week I'm feeling way down and then when you realize why you're way down it's because you're trying to help everybody else with day shit

I don't want no more think of it's exhausting it's exhausting I love to inspire I want people to do better but if they don't want it what am I supposed to do just keep pouring into an empty well I can't do it the things that you do

don't benefit you so why do I have to damn that's a bar it is it's really mentally heavy too especially depending I didn't know where you come from.

Like I've, your song with a Tierra Wack is so Philly. It's so like arts, Philly. And I love Tierra Wack. But just hearing you say that makes me think about like,

a lot of people who come from like particular neighborhoods, families, whatever, that mental weight, we never, some of us never let that go. Like I used to I turned 50. Right.

I got family number 65 and plus that are like literally aging themselves because they're still holding on to that. I got to do everything for everybody. Yes. It's not benefiting us. It's like, what are we being loyal to? That line, you know, all skin folk and kinfolk.

Not all people are your people. That's right. You got to search out for your people and weed them out respectfully. Or disrespectfully. They just have to go. They can't stay. They're taking up space. A girlfriend of mine had asked me about,

what to do. She said she wanted a man. And I was like, hmm, maybe make some space for one. A physical manifestation of a, of a dream or an idea that you want, it becomes real.

Make room in your closet. Take the lamp down on the other side of your bed and take the stuff out of it. It might sound crazy. To some, try it. Make space in your life for what it is that you want. And you'll see it every day, the fact that there's a space. And watch, just watch.

Just trust I'm sorry. I love you. Okay? Well, I'm going to make space in my bank account. And I'm manifest. I lost space of money. If that money come in. Get another account.

Get another account. Did your friend ever get the man? Hmm They're very happy Oh good At this stage in your life What does honesty and music require That it didn't demand from you

When you was in like your 20s and 30 What is it require now I don't know what it requires I know what I require What do you require? I require a certain amount of rest I want to be in the best venues It has the best sound

I like a two bedroom or definitely a two bathroom hotel suite time with my people like my people they've known them forever they're like friends they're the best of friends time with them

and then I love to do my job so it's not even like I feel like I'm required to do anything by anyone. I set my space. You know, I said it before. I'll say it again. You work hard in your 20s. You work smart in your 30s. You work how you want to in your 40s. You work when you want to in your 50s.

And you work if you want to in your 60s. And I'm in my how I want to phase of my life. So how I want to is more than likely I will be having residencies instead of running all over the country. Come to me. Canadian women are looking for more. More to themselves, their businesses, their elected leaders, and the world are out of them.

And that's why we're thrilled to introduce the Honest Talk podcast. I'm Jennifer Stewart. And I'm Catherine Clark. And in this podcast, we interview Canada's most inspiring women. Entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, politicians, and newsmakers, all at different stages of their journey. So if you're looking to connect,

then we hope you'll join us. Listen to the Honest Talk podcast on IHeart Radio or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Welcome to the A building. I'm Hans Charles. I'm Inalek Lamoma. It's 1969. Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr.

had both been assassinated. And Black America was out of breaking point. Writing and protests broke out on an unprecedented scale. In Atlanta, Georgia, at Martin's Almermata, Morehouse College, the students had their own protest. It featured two prominent figures in black history, Martin Luther King's senior,

and a young student. Samuel L. Jackson. To be in what we really thought was a revolution. I mean, people would die. 1968, the murder of Dr. King, which traumatized everyone. The FBI had a role

in the murder of a Black Panther leader in Chicago. This story is about protest. It echoes in today's world far more than it should, and it will blow your mind. Listen to the A building on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

In the middle of the night, Sasquia awoke in a haze. Her husband, Mike, was on his laptop. What was on his screen would change Saskia's life forever. I said, I need you to tell me exactly what you're doing. And immediately, the mask came off. You're supposed to be safe. That's your home. That's your husband.

So keep this secret for so many years. He's like a seasoned pro. This is a story about the end of a marriage. But it's also the story of one woman who was done living in the dark. You're a dangerous person who prays unvulnerable and trusting people. You're creditor, Michael Levin Good. Listen to Betrayal Season 5 on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcast. or wherever you get your podcasts.

What do you do in the headlines don't explain what's happening inside of you? I'm Ben Higgins. And if you can hear me, is where culture meets the soul, a place for real conversation. Each episode, I sit down with people from all walks of life, celebrities, thinkers, and everyday folks. And we go deeper than the polished story. We talk about what drives us, what shapes us, and what gives us hope. We get honest about the big stuff.

identity when you don't recognize yourself anymore, loss that changes you, purpose when success isn't enough, peace when your mind won't slow down, faith when it's complicated. Some guests have answers. Most are still figuring it out. If you've ever felt like there has to be more to the story, this show is for you. Listen to if you can hear me on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Come to me, let me give you a stage that I've created. that I don't have to pick up and move from space to space.

You know, and just come see me. I'll let you know in plenty of time, you know, so that you can come and I'll create based off of the space that I'm in. This is where I am now. This is what I require. And then I would love listening ears. People that actually listen to what's being said and the musicianship of the album.

you know that part like i hope to inspire bass players like crazy i hope to inspire mcs like crazy to start i don't know telling stories painting pictures um in in big grand scopes you know so to whom this may concern requires these things and that's where i am at this point The title feels like a, like a boundary and a release in a way. Why did you come up with that title? For whom it may concern? Because it's to whom this may concern. It is to whom this may concern.

You'll know if it's for you. You'll know. And then I thought about this because I thought maybe that was limiting. I thought about this the other day that I didn't understand Billy Holiday when I was young. I didn't understand the tone of her voice. I didn't understand the things that she was talking about. I didn't get it. It's like, why I didn't make such a big deal about this lady

until I got my feelings hurt? And then I played Billy Holiday, and I was like, oh, that's what this is. And you're relating to me in this space. So it could be the same thing for a lot of people. I don't know. But to whom this may concern is for to whom this may concern. We'll know.

I can't wait to see your faces. That makes so much sense because like, you know, I even, I think about like, you know, older records of yours like blessed, right? And when you first heard it, it's a good record. But when you're actually in that space, oh, later in life, oh, my God. It just hits different. It just hits different. You get to that point, you're like, and I know what I know. Do you think about that when you're creating?

Like, I want to make sure that people understand it when they're at their lowest moment, at their highest moment at that moment? I don't know if I could do that to myself. I try my best to be as clear as possible, and I know that I speak in poet, but I try my best, and then I just, you know, have to release the baby. Go ahead out in the world and see what happens.

You know, I put a lot of good intentions, a lot of prayer, a lot of love, a lot of hours, lots into the project. so this baby's been loved. I think you can hear that. I know. I can hear it. And we'll see who gravitates towards it.

I'm excited to see them. I really am. I was going to say that's the, on the start of the album, you talk about you can't wait to see the people. Just now when you said it before this last time, you kind of got emotional when you said you can't wait to see people's faces.

What is that feeling that I'm like, since as you say, you can't wait to see the people show out for this? It's a dream. It's a dream. I've seen it. I've seen it every time I sing beautiful people. I just see,

I see thousands and thousands of people. And they're up, and they're up there too, as far as I can see. And I get to see these faces looking back at me. I don't know how I'm going to make it through that, but I'll do my best. and I don't know how I'm going to make it through A Shea either.

She hit so different. Me and one of our producers was talking about that record earlier. She was asked me one of my favorite records on the album. She said, A Shea, A Shea. I was crying during the recording. Andre Harris sent me the music and I was like, this is a prayer. This is a prayer. Now, what shall I say?

To my beautiful people. Man, I don't know how I'm going to ever get through that song. They'll probably have to sing it for me. I just don't know I don't know I've seen you do some amazing singing when you were crying I remember years years

this is 20 plus years ago I've seen you in Charlotte North Carolina at the Sugarwater Festival you hit a high note so crazy like literally a tear came down your face like Denzel in glory it just sat there for a second and you didn't miss a beat

so I don't think you'll miss a beat we'll see how this goes on the hook of a be great you say I'm gonna go ahead and be great yeah do you have times but you feel like you're not great already it's internal

and it's not for anybody else's it's not for anybody else you're great my great it's all great yeah I'm saying but I'm gonna do my great I'm gonna you know yeah do I have do I have what was a question like do you ever feel like

you have moments where you feel like you're not great already like I don't know because I can't imagine Joe Scott having imposter syndrome ever oh thank you I'm sure I feel insecure and scared and all the things that human beings feel. I mean, I know I do. Was there a time I didn't think I was being great?

I don't remember. When you say, I'm going to go ahead and be great. You're just talking about everything and all the things. You know, I said all my life, I wanted to do good. I wanted to be good. I wanted to feel free of a history that made me cry and stump my stride. So I changed my mind. I double down on believing that the opinions of other people couldn't like my life

or deter my sight, nor wrong my rights, or delay my flight. I'm flying high now up above on the clarity of love. I only get what I put into it. I spend my sweet time where I deemed fit. I got one life. I'm going to let my glow show. Baby, look at this. The embodiment of soul glow, I admit.

Paint my own pictures. Gifts on gifts on gifts. Let the load lift. Let the words shift. I ain't here to live in fear or just plain old exists. I'm going to go ahead and be great. So I want people to play before they go in their audition. I want them to play before they go in their job interview

I want them to play it before they propose Before they take their test Before they take their test So much affirmations here Like the whole Like it felt like Like I feel like living my life Like it's golden

It's like a song that you play when you want to feel good too Like that's like my go-to like easy affirmation song But when I was listening to this I'm like You got like the first three songs First two songs are just straight out the back And then you're just going off with affirmations And other things Is that what it is?

It felt, I don't know if it, like, it's kind of like, so the opening song, what is it? A dope shit. That kind of felt like a, like when you, how you was like, just listening to Auntie, right? I felt like I was sitting down and somebody was like, I'm tired of you, come here, come have a conversation. Let's really talk because what's going on.

It felt like that. And then when we go into the second song, Be Great, it's like, it's already there and I don't have told you. And I'm not going to tell you again. And then beautiful people is like, the people have finally got it. And now they like all come together and it's just this big march and push back against like this. I just,

like it's like a world phenomenon. Like everything's switching. You can see it. Yes. Like it just continues and continues and continues. Oh yes. Yes. So maybe it's more of a movement,

not affirmations. Ooh, I'll take it. I'll take it. It's, it's, I was made an auntie for a reason. And I'm going to do my job.

Period. No, I wonder when you do records like pressure, when you do records like, me for is that when you do the actual record is that

when the closure comes or do you have closure before in order to do the record? I've never thought about it. I don't know if I'm looking for closure necessarily.

I need to say it. I need to say it. It is true. I need to blah. Get it out. I think that's how I feel about that. Yeah.

And then when I listen to it, it becomes an affirmation for me. because I've said it. And I was like, yeah, you said that. Because that's what it is. That's exactly what it is. Yeah.

You ever went too far and was like, let me take this out. Man, many, many times. Really? Many times. Many times. I typically write the thing before I get into the studio so I can find how it feels when I get in there. Or I already know how it feels. It wasn't something.

I don't. I don't know if I necessarily went too far. Let me be clear. I just said some shit I probably shouldn't have said. That might be too far. I don't know. It was the right thing. And when I listened to it, I'm like, yep, that's right.

You know, that was real there. But I probably shouldn't have shared it. You went hard on this album. Oh, yeah, I did. You say you married a bitch. Yeah. That's like, that's pretty. That's a little far.

I wasn't the word. I got pretty self-explanatory. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I think I just needed to get stuff out, too. You know, music is healing for the artist as well, supposed to be. What's the moral compass with that? Is it yourself saying now? Is it your son?

Is it your homies? I haven't had that. It didn't come up. Nobody said anything. You know, and my son listens to everything. And we talk about everything. Yeah, so it didn't come. Nobody said, hey, you probably shouldn't say that.

Nobody did. And I don't know if I would agree or disagree about it. You just see how everybody's going crazy about squeezing my meat? It's a song called Don't Play. Yeah, but I didn't see people going crazy about it. Oh, boy, I did. They were like, squeeze my meat. And I was like, she said, squeeze my meat.

She was going, screams, my. And I was like, I did. They're not used to that from you yet at this point? It's a new generation of people who just be on Twitter. I'm just, I'm just confused. Maybe you all can help me out here, because I would love to know. I've heard lyrics that. Oh, way worse.

Lob on my knob, like corn on the cob. They're singing about eating ass now, Jill. I heard. I heard. Yes, I heard. I heard. I listened to a lot of music. And because I listened to a lot of music,

I was just like, what exactly is so radical about squeeze my meat? They're not real Jill Scott fans. But besides being a fan or not, like, what's radical about that? I just thought I'm missing something. Probably the way you sung it. When you sing it with such, you know,

because it sounds amazing. So you might be just randomly finding yourself singing it, even as a guy. You know what I mean? I also think it's too, like with the new generation, they get it different. ways. Like, I never said it.

Yeah, go ahead. Go ahead. Go ahead. I'm sure I will at some point. At the end of the spirit of more meat, I'll just be coming around the corner. Squeeze my meat. You better never sing that if you're in the bathroom with me, bro. I'm just telling you that right now.

I'm just saying it might can happen. That's all. I think it's the fact that you got to say squeeze. Like I think they said it was, they was demon the big ariola music. I heard that too. Yeah. I was like, the big aerial music. Yeah.

They said because basically if you don't know what to do with it, don't come over here. that's the conversation and I think it's just right now in music you either get stuff like that very straightforward to the point where it's not sensual and that has always been you to be able to communicate those type of things in a very

unique way right but there is a new generation of like creators and artists who are listening to this and discovering your ability for the first time and they just think it's so powerful and forward and I'm like welcome that's what I'm talking about people like that Like, I hate people that I don't want to have to,

I don't want to catch up with you, okay? Like, we over here celebrating Jill Scott because of who Jill Scott always has been. I don't have time to explain to you the greatness of Jill Scott. You know, catch up in your own time. Fair enough. They'll get there. Catch up in your own time.

Right. I ain't got to explain it. They'll get there. Life will happen. And then there I'll be. You're loving 90 with so many stories to tell. So many life experiences to share. So many lessons learned.

So much music. There was a skit on here, too. I forget where it, like, comes in that. You're, like, talking to someone, and then it goes into a song. And I was hoping that we would get more of that type of thing. Kind of like what Jasmine Sullivan did, hotels. Just because of what you said, like, we know so much about you, but I know that there's a lot more to hear.

And I don't know I'm older. I just was like, I wonder if she'll ever do that, where we just get to hear her talk through her, like, experiences of things. And then we go back to the music after that. well I don't know I did listen to Viola Davis's book and just my God I can listen to that woman that story was so powerful so impactful I think if I were going to do that it'd probably be a book you know I have a lot of dreams does that mean a book is in the works or something I know a publisher if you need one Thank you.

You know, he's so interesting. You mentioned David Banner a lot. To me, I don't know, y'all have similar spirits. I don't know, like sometimes I hear you talking, I hear David Banner, and then now I'm hearing David Banner. Sometimes I hear him just got, but I never thought about that until I've heard you mention him in the last couple of, I heard you mentioned him in the last couple of years.

I heard you mention him in an Angie Martinez interview, and you mentioned him here now, and I'm like, they're the same person kind of energy-wise. Thank you. We click. You want to expound? Oh. What would I say?

say about David Banner um hmm he is really like I said this earlier but he's really really kept me inspired sending me music sending me music from other people

as well not just himself like not just trying to get on the album like sending me other musicians stuff like that that's a lot that's a lack of id okay like love that um

and he's amazing for resources as well. We buckheads often, and I tell him I'm not scared of you, David Bannon. You know, and he likes that. So that's my brother from another mother. Yep. I can see that. And I think he's beautiful.

Do you think healing is louder or quieter at 50? quieter internally, but very vocal outside. Gotcha. It shows up into music. Yeah. Gotcha. Yeah. How are you?

47. That's it. Yeah, be 48 this year. Born in 1978. Baby. Right there. But I feel the same way you feel. I like being, I like just growing.

Like, you know, feeling, you feel more unapologetic about who you are every day. And you realize how much more it is for you to learn and how much that you have to unlearn. The unlearning part Practice, practice, practice, practice, practice Practice practice What did you have to unlearn that was so difficult? I had to unlearn doubting myself I had to

I had to learn to trust the process I think for the last few albums I had been like trying my best Like trying, trying, trying Like you don't have to try You don't have to try All you got to do is realize shout out to Bilau, but that's all you got to do.

And that is like, this freed me. And I have so much, I have so much music, y'all. It's not even funny. In so many different categories, which is exciting to me. And I don't know, you know, this one, I'm here. See? I got to stay right here because there's so many things. and I'm excited about them all,

but I have to stay right here with to whom this may concern. I put a lot of love in this thing. I cannot wait for people to listen with their listening ears. I actually think about the words and have conversations, and I don't know.

By the time they get to, to be honest, I really hope that they're in full swing. That was my intention. Is there a song on this album that represents a boundary that you used to ignore, but now you protect it no matter what? I'd have to look at the song list.

Can you think of one? Let me see. You got dope shit, be great, beautiful people, off the back, north side, disclaimer, pay you on Tuesday pressure. Me for the math or universe lifting me up. Don't play. To be honest, right here right now, I say sincerely do. Probably me for it, right? No.

Maybe pressure? No. I love all my life. Everything gets you where you're going. if I change something then what would happen? Who would I be? You know, I am literally baby mama number four.

Four is my favorite fucking number. I'm always going to find it. The silver lining, the joy, the beauty, and the thing. You know, but you go through stuff and that's life. And you just, you know, I'm on the other side of everything, which is good. Now the job is to get myself inside of everything to tell the story properly on stage. That's what you're looking forward to the most.

I'm looking forward to it. It's therapeutic. It's terrifying. So scary. Oh, I'm coming to see you on Valentine's Day. I would be right there, me and the wife. Nice. Absolutely.

No, I'm feeling stuff out. So you're coming to a feel out. Okay. My last question, when it's all said and done, what does peace look like for Jill Scott? And did this album bring you closer for whatever that is? Life is bringing me closer to my piece. And my kid doing well for himself.

And my mother living so comfortably. And she's happy. um my my private my personal life is solid i love my home i love my friends i have beautiful friends y'all you would fuck with them anybody would like they're so dope so many levels of it there's not a lot of them but they're powerful i'm i'm i'm you know i say you say you're happy You say it joyful and people get upset about it. I feel sorry for that for you. People get upset about you saying that?

People are upset about other people feeling joy and being happy. Yes, they do it all the time. I see it. Yes. Yeah. I don't know what it is. I don't care what it is. It's not my bag to carry.

I'm going to let this little light of mine shine. And that light going to irritate some demons and others. You see what I'm, that's what I'm saying. That's what I'm saying. I have a force field. I put it on. It goes under my feet above my head. Anytime I think about it or I just put my force field on and I walk through my life.

We're superheroes. We can do really anything we want, anything we can imagine. You just need the power to do it. The power is love. The power is sincere friendships. The power is. is guidance. My mentor is outside somewhere. Like having that is and anybody can attain it.

Anybody at any time in any state of their life can get all of the things. My mentor sometimes life will be a little stressful. She'll come in swinging, swinging. Like boys in the hood is swinging. She'll kick. It's a physical manifestation. of a spiritual thing. She's fighting off whatever can't happen.

And then she says, who! And I love that. I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm, I'm like, damn, I'm really like, got everything I ask. Praise God. Amen. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Everything. Wow.

It's okay, feel that. That's what I've been feeling all interview. I'm like something, she, there's a feeling here. I just don't know what it is, but I'm so glad that you in this space. You deserve it. You worked hard. Ma'am. For a long time.

You've been literally like the Jill Scott my whole life on 34. I just want you to know what you mean to so many people. Like I hope you know that we really love you and we value you. We appreciate you. And even you putting out new music means so much. Like this is an event. Like, oh my God, Jill Scott. putting out new music.

Like that matters. Like a lot of people that put out music, I can take it to leave it. Some people put out music, the world stops for me. That's right. And that is what you're doing, to whom they make a sign. I hate to be redundant.

But I'm going to say it again. That in the time when Marvin Gaye was the highest, there were albums that hit number one and stayed number one for weeks. and the time with Shaka Khan I love you

wherever you are Shaka Khan so much had number five on some chart there was some one two, three and four that were doing way better than that but who do we remember? Who do we talk about?

Who do we still go see? It's you know this thing is all secular you're going to get a bunch of other things in the water as well. But sometimes, sometimes you get a prince. Sometimes you get a Michael Jackson.

Sometimes you get a teddy pendergrass and a Stephanie Mills and a Phyllis Hyman. Oh, Lord, the list. And we remember them and we carry them and we play their music in our house and we live by it. And we reference it. And that's what my goal was. I wanted to have a career like Frankie Beverly and Maze. And somebody else would be like, well, what do you mean, Frankie Beverly and Maze? Not everybody knows them.

What Frankie Beverly and Mace could do 25 years without having an album is sell out an arena. And everybody's going to show up in white and everybody's going to sing with all of their hearts, arms in the air. That's what I wanted for myself. And I had. Yes, you do. I might have to take a nap. Ladies and gentlemen, Jill Scott. Alvin is out today.

Make sure you buy it and you screen it. We appreciate you so much. I hope you get that nap. Yes, that's divine. Go get that nap. You deserve it. Your soul deserves it. Oh, my goodness.

Here we go. All right. It's Jill Scott. It's the Breakfast Club. Good morning. Hold up. Every day I wake up. Wake your ass up.

You're finished or y'all done. In the middle of the night, Sasquia awoke in a haze. Her husband, Mike, was on his laptop. What was on his screen would change Saskia's life forever. I said, I need you to tell me exactly what you're doing. And immediately, the mask came off. You're supposed to be safe. That's your home.

That's your husband. Listen to Betrayal Season 5 on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 1969, Malcolm and Martin are gone. America is in crisis. And at Morehouse College, the students make their move. These students, including a young Samuel L. Jackson, locked up the members of the Board of Trustees,

including Martin Luther King Sr. It's the true story of protests and rebellion in black American history that you'll never forget. I'm Hans Charles. I'm in aiklamo. Listen to the A building on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Over the last couple years, didn't we learn that the folding chair was invented by black people because of what happened in Alabama? This Black History Month, the podcast Selective Ignorance with Mandy B, unpacked Black History and Culture with comedy, clarity, and conversations

that shake the status quo. The Crown Act in New York was signed in July of 2019, and that is a bill that was passed to prohibit discrimination based on hairstyles associated with race. To hear this and more, listen to Selective Ignorance with Mandy B

from the Black. Black-up Beck Podcast Network on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. I'm Bowen-Yin. And I'm Matt Rogers. During this season of the Two Guys Five Rings podcast, in the lead-up to the Milan-Cortina-2020 Winter Olympic Games, we've been joined by some of our friends. Hi, Bob, my! Hey, Elmo. Hey, Matt, hey, Bowen.

Hi, Kirkie. Hi. Now, the Winter Olympic Games are underway, and we are in Italy to give you experiences from our hearts to your ears. Listen to Two Guys Five Rings on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed human.