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.
Exclusive: Melanie Fiona On Making High-Vibrational Music & Saying Yes To Partnership
Melanie Fiona is back! After taking a little more than a decade-long hiatus, she has officially made her return to music and blessed us with two singles, “Say Yes” and “I Choose You.” While both singles are very different from each other, they both reflect who she is today and the type of music she wants to make. In our conversation, the mom of two expressed what she learned during her time away.
“It's interesting, even when I said it is like coming back, I don't ever feel like I really left because I was always still performing. I've still been public. It's not like I went into being this recluse person or version of myself, but the thing that I really learned in this process is that I think things take time,” Melanie says in a xoNecole exclusive.
“I think often we're so caught up in it, being on the timing of demand or popularity, or, like, striking while the iron is hot and the thing that I've learned is that everything is on God's time. That's it. Every time I thought I would have been ready, or, like, things were taking too long, I had to reship some things, personally, professionally, in my life. I also gave myself permission to make a living, not just make a living, but make a life for myself.”
Making a life for herself included getting married to Grammy-nominated songwriter Jared Cotter, starting a family, and embracing new landscapes, such as podcasting as a co-host of The Mama’s Den podcast. She also began doing more spiritual work and self-care practices like meditation, sound healing, Reiki, acupuncture, and boundary setting, which allowed her to get in touch with her inner voice.
“I wasn't putting out music, and I wasn't experiencing a number one record, but I was being a number one mom,” she says.
“I was experiencing things that were allowing me to heal and get in touch with myself so that I could make new music from a space of joy and freedom, and excitement again because I definitely feel like I did lose some excitement because of just politics and industry and what it can do to your mental health and even your physical health. So giving myself the space to really just say, ‘Hey, it's okay. Everything's right on time.’”
The joy and excitement are felt in one of two new singles, “I Choose You,” which is more of a lovers rock vibe, a tribute to Melanie’s Caribbean roots. While the Grammy award-winner is known for ballads like “It Kills Me” and “Fool For You,” she is becoming more intentional about the music she makes, calling it high-vibrational music. She says her music is a “reflection of my life,” as it captures every facet, from hanging out with friends to riding around in her car.
“Say Yes” has the classic R&B vibe Melanie is known for. However, both songs are inspired by her relationship. Melanie and Jared got married in December 2020, and the Toronto-bred artist dished on their relationship. Fun fact: he is featured in the “Say Yes” music video.
“When we first started dating, I had come into that relationship post a lot of self-work. I had gotten out of a long-term relationship, I had a year and a half to date and be by myself and do a lot of work on myself alone. And when we met, I remember feeling like this has to be my person because I feel it,” she says.
“And so when we went into that relationship, and we started dating, I was very clear. I was like, I know what I want. I'm very clear on what I need, and I'm not going to withhold my truth about myself in this process because of pride or fear of rejection. I know you love me, but I'm coming with my heart in my hand to let you know that if we're gonna get there, we have to put fear aside and say yes. So that was kind of like my open letter to him, which is why the video is us having a conversation.”
Melanie also shares that saying yes to her partner has empowered her in many ways, including motherhood and showing up for herself. Her new EP, also titled Say Yes, will be available at the top of 2025.
Check out the full interview below.
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Entertaining Like Ayesha Curry: Expert Advice For Holidays Done Right
Be prepared to wow the crowd.
It’s officially the holiday season, which means parties and gatherings galore. Between Friendsgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Eve celebrations, many of us are preparing to host loved ones in our homes one or two times between now and the end of the year. No matter the occasion or season, hosting for family and friends is a labor of love. But we can also agree that entertaining can be overwhelming, especially for first-time hosts.
As a seasoned host and entertainer, Ayesha Curry knows something about creating a memorable event for loved ones. Whether preparing for an intimate dinner with your immediate family or hosting a larger crowd, your guests will think you are a pro this holiday season with her tips on everything from welcoming guests to setting a beautiful table.
Q: What is your top tip for hosting?
Ayesha Curry:Part of being a great host is spending time with your guests, which means you can’t be stuck in the kitchen. Prep is key! I usually serve wine with the meal, but a cocktail or mocktail is a great way to greet guests. I prep the garnish the night before and batch the drink just before guests arrive. When the party begins, I pull everything out of the fridge and am ready to serve.
Writer Note: If you would like to offer non-alcoholic beverages for your sober or sober-curious guests, I love Saint Viviana Cab. It maintains full-body cabernet and flavor; no one will ever guess it’s alcohol-free. You can easily create a signature mocktail using Bittermilk’s Smoked Honey Whiskey Sour mix.
Q: Do you suggest any prep for serving or cooking?
AC:I lay out all my serving dishes and utensils the night before with little post-it notes saying what goes where. That way, I’m not digging around for anything. For more elaborate menus, I lay out quarter sheet pans and label them with tape according to the dish. I prep and measure everything for each recipe and then load each sheet pan with everything needed to make the dish. I wrap each tray in saran or foil, stack them, and place them in the fridge. Pull out the sheet pan you need when cooking, and everything is ready. It’s something I learned at the restaurant that saves so much time.
Q: What’s one item that should always be on a dinner party menu?
AC: Bread or roll with butter is excellent for holding guests over if the kitchen is delayed.
Q: What’s one non-menu item you should always have on hand?
AC: For a non-menu item, wine!
Q: How do you decide on a theme or menu for a gathering?
AC: It all starts with the occasion and the guest list. If it’s a group that doesn’t know each other very well, I may get more elaborate with the theme to help break the ice. For a group of friends or family who don’t get to see each other very often, I usually keep it simple so the evening can be all about catching up. A great playlist, good wine, and a family-style menu are all you need.
Q: Should attendees be expected to bring a gift?
AC: If I’m hosting, I’m not expecting gifts. The gift is taking time to come over and enjoy a meal with me! But bringing something to enjoy at the gathering, like a bottle of wine, is always appreciated.
Q: What are three affordable gifts that guests can give a host?
AC:A bag of excellent coffee is a beautiful gift for a host. Sweet July’s House Blend Coffee is sourced from all-female co-ops, so it’s a gift I love to give to the women in my life. Whether it’s being served after dinner or just for the host to enjoy on their own, you can’t go wrong with a bag of high-end coffee.
Fresh flowers are great if you have a host who likes total control over the food and beverage menu. Go for something neutral in color that can work with any décor.
The Sweet July Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar set is my go-to host gift. Bottled in Napa, it’s a gift any foodie will appreciate - and use!
Q: What are some creative tablescape or decor ideas that you love?
AC: I like to keep my dinnerware neutral and classic (like this ceramic collection in nutmeg) and infuse color and texture through linens. For centerpieces, I want to use what I have in my yard. If it’s summer, it might be flowers or greenery, but interesting branches can also look architectural in tall, clear vases next to tapered candles in the colder months. There’s no need to spend a ton of money on flowers.
With Ayesha’s tips, you can create a holiday gathering that your family and friends will cherish forever.
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