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Jill Scott Listens To…Jill Scott: Here Are 5 Of Her Songs She Says Mean The Most
Jill Scott is one of those timeless artists that we have to thank the ancestors for time and time again. She never goes out of style, her music always feels new, and to be honest, we probably don't deserve her. I remember the first time I head "The Way", it was so familiar even though it was the first time. That's the Jill Scott effect.
To date, Scott has made 12 projects, including studio albums, live albums, compilation albums, and even a remix album. And while Scott's music is what she has became the most known for, she also got bitten by the acting bug, starring in Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? and as Hazelle Rachelle in the BET+ series First Wives Club, which the second season premiered July 15.
And thankfully, sis knows just as much as we do, that her music is like that. So much so, that when asked by Glamour Magazine to pick her top five, she was like the rest of us, and had a hard time. And if you're like me, you know what time it is soon as you finish reading this one.
So grab your wine, sit back, and press play. Here are the five songs Jill Scott says means the most to her soul:
"The Way"
"The Way" is the third single from her debut album, Who Is Jill Scott? Scott co-wrote the song with songwriter and producer Andre Harris. "The Way" reached the top 20 of Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart.
"I was definitely in love. My boyfriend at the time was just so sweet to me and very kind and thoughtful and was real nice. I was being pretty literal in the song, talking about the day that I experienced waking up and making breakfast—like it was very, very literal. There really wasn't a lot of science to it…I was talking about the day. I even worked on Third Street, as the lyrics say."
She continued:
"Why was I so happy? I was questioning if it was the way he loves me. This mutual sweet love started with a friendship. That's what made it so different—it being mutual. That's what made me write about it in the first place. It was precious, you know?"
"Whenever You're Around"
"Whenever You're Around'' was the third single from Scott's 2007 album, The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3. Released in 2008, the song was cowritten by Scott and songwriter and producer JR Hutson. Although there was never an accompanying video, it did well on R&B charts and reached number 16 on Hot Adult R&B Airplay.
"'Whenever You're Around' is a song I wrote when things took a left. When the relationship wasn't as sweet anymore; we had been married, and it was time to part ways. I had this awesome rhythm that easily could have been like a party song. In fact, Musiq Soulchild asked me why didn't I make this a jam, and I said that's the story that came out of me when I heard the music. Because it was bittersweet, at least. That's the best way I can describe it—the hook of the song says, 'I'm lonely whenever you're around.'"
Yes, poetry! She then says:
"I tend to put my whole life into music. And then later on, I'm like, "Dammit, why did I say that? Why did I write that?" Now I have to either sing it or explain it. I think the challenge is that I have to relive it, you know? I have to keep reliving these things."
“Until Then (I Imagine)”
From Scott's fourth album, The Light of the Sun, the lyrics and sound of "Until Then (I Imagine)" epitomizes the sexy soulfulness that has been a signature for Scott. Though never a single on its own, the song was a big favorite among Scott's fans when the project came out in 2011. It was co-written by Scott alongside renowned writer and producer Warryn Campbell.
"I do enjoy my sexual music very much. This is my favorite one, and I think it's great writing too. I love this track. That ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding—I love that; it's soooo dirty. And it's so well written in my opinion. I'm not trying to get myself up, but I really think that if I didn't write it, I'd be like, 'Damn, that sounds good!'
"The song was about someone, but I'm not going to tell you who it is because he's long gone! But he was very confident in himself. He believed in the power of his energy and of his penis. We know what he was working with, and he was fully aware of how to work it. It's the confidence for me."
“One Is the Magic #”
"One Is the Magic #" is another track from Scott's debut album in which she worked with Vidal Harris, who co-wrote it. Since it wasn't released as a single, there isn't a video for the song either. But for Scott, the track showcases her lonesomeness. Growing up as an only child, Scott says she doesn't like to be around people much; at that time of her life, it was a testament to the necessity of self-love and self-reliance.
"I was really on this mindset at that time that there's nobody else that's gonna do it for me. They're not going to work for me, they're not going to try for me, they're not going to pray for me. They're not going to cry for me, you know? I was thinking life is really about what I do, and how I do it. I remember writing that and feeling free. Because as a young woman, you get this idea that some prince is going to come and save you from the big bad world. That is a fairy tale; that is a myth."
She continues:
"So 'One is the Magic #' was that moment when I felt like I had come into another level of my womanhood. I said, 'You're going to have to figure this out on your own, and it's okay because you can.' The math that the world is using may not be right for you, how they're adding up life may not suit or fit your spirit—that was the metaphor of it all at the time."
"Rolling Hills"
Taken from Scott's The Light of the Sun album, "Rolling Hills" was the final song of the first rendition of the album (prior to an iTunes deluxe edition). Scott wrote and produced the album with Adam Blackstone, Randy Bowland, George "Spanky" McCurdy, and Eric Wortham.
"That song came up in the middle of the night. I was minding my business, asleep, and that thing jumped out of my spirit so hard and came out in one complete thought.
"I woke up—I was in a hotel in L.A.—and I was scrambling, trying to write it all down. It came out fluidly. I love when that happens. That's my favorite part of being a vessel—when it all just comes out like that. Because you know better, I know better.
"I know I was there—nobody else was there. I wrote it; I put this in my handwriting. But I know I didn't write it. Does that make sense? It's so beyond me. I love that, feeling that level of communication. I do feel like the Creator was speaking exactly through me, I really do. Being able to catch those things, I shout myself out in these moments because it's like you have to really be obedient to it. It comes and it is not a guarantee, those thoughts, those pictures. That voice will leave you if you don't get up and write it down. It's a gift, not a given."
Thank you for sharing your words with us, sis!
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Featured image by John Shearer/WireImage
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Charmin Michelle is a southern native and creative spirit who works as a content marketer and events manager in Chicago. She enjoys traveling, #SummertimeChi, and the journey of mastering womanhood. Connect with her on Instagram @charminmichelle.
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
Blair Underwood Initially Turned Down 'Sex And The City' Because 'It Was About How Samantha Was Fascinated By Dating A Black Man’
Actor and heartthrob Blair Underwood is opening up about why he turned down Sex and the City the first time he was offered a role. Many fans of the HBO series may recall Blair's time on the show in which his character was dating Miranda (Cynthia Nixon). However, he was previously offered another role where his character would date Samantha (Kim Cattrall).
During his interview with AV Club, the Set It Off star revealed that he was uncomfortable with the initial offer due to the character's fascination with him being a Black man.
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But that didn't stop them from reaching out again. This time he was offered to play Dr. Robert Leeds, the love interest to Miranda and he decided to go for it. "So they were nice enough to call about a year later, and I said, 'Well, is it gonna be about race?' And they said, 'No, no, no, we’re not even gonna mention race!' And I think it really did only come up maybe once," he recalled.
"It did five episodes, and I think Samantha mentioned it once, saying something about 'a Black doctor' that Miranda was dating. And that’s really been a consistent thing in my career: not wanting to be boxed as 'the Black guy.'
"I’ve had that conversation with many producers along the way, and they were so great. They said, 'No, he’s just a doctor who Miranda meets in the elevator, and they have a nice little fling.' And it was amazing."
Blair has had a wide-ranging career playing everything from a lawyer on L.A. Law to playing Madame CJ Walker's husband on Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madame CJ Walker. And during his interview, he revealed another role that he initially turned down, Set It Off. The movie, which is considered a classic in Black culture, stars Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Vivica A. Fox, and Kimberly Elise. Blair's character, Keith, played a banker and love interest to Jada's character, Stony.
He explained why he said no at first and eventually accepted the offer. "I had initially said “no” to that. Because I was playing this historic, iconic African-American historical figure in Jackie Robinson, and the time, y’know, there was Boyz N The Hood, and Menace II Society was out there, and I’d finished playing this noble Negro… [Laughs]," he said.
"And I’m reading the script, and there’s a scene where Jada Pinkett’s character—Jada Pinkett-Smith now—was going to sell her body so she could make some money to send her brother to college. And I remember, honestly, I threw the script across the room. I was, like, “I don’t want to do this. I want to do something uplifting for the Black culture and Black characters, and I don’t know if I want to see this.”
After a conversation with the movie's director F. Gary Gray and the actor's manager encouraging him to finish reading the script, Blair had a change of heart. What he first thought about the movie turned out to be totally different.
"So I finished the script, and I saw that the character they were asking me to play was really the love story in the midst of all of this turmoil of all of these characters, the four ladies: Queen Latifah, Vivica Fox, Kimberly Elise, and Jada," he explained.
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