R&B superstar Jill Scott shows the world just how much amazing talent can come out of Philadelphia. Raised in North Philly by her mom and grandmother, Scott stuck close to home and attended Temple University for secondary education. After landing a teaching job, she faced obstacles in the form of complaints about her non-traditional teaching methods that involved using song and melody to help with memorization. Though she did not have much intent on becoming a full time musician, she’d had enough. Scott quit her teaching job and joined a local theater troupe.
This was the beginning of her career in music as Scott’s theater appearances and poetry readings led her to form friendships with local music celebrities such as DJ Jazzy Jeff and Questlove, who encouraged her to continue writing and exploring her musical talents. During the summer of 1999, Scott wrote several songs over the course of three days, penning “You Got Me,” which would go on to win a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by Erykah Badu and The Roots.Following the Grammy win, DJ Jazzy Jeff burned 100 CDs of Scott material and marketed the singer. In 2000, she would sign with Steve McKeever’s Hidden Beach Recording, a new label at the time. That summer, Scott released her debut, “Who is Jill Scott? Words & Sounds, Vol. 1” and solidified her popularity across all age groups as one of hip hop and R&B’s rising stars.
Scott’s fifth and most recent studio album, 2011’s “The Light of the Sun,” allowed her to celebrate another milestone as it became her first studio effort to reach number one on the Billboard 200 chart. “The Light of the Sun” debuted with 135,000 copies sold according to Nielson Soundscan. More recently, Scott was confirmed along with Mary J. Blige, A$AP Rocky and Rick Ross as the first wave of performers scheduled for the BET Experience to be held at the Staples Center this summer in Los Angeles.
Scott has not only dominated music sphere, she has multiple acting credits to her name as well, including roles in the movie Steel Magnolias, television series Girlfriends, and a spot of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Scott also played a lead role in the BBC/HBO comedy-drama TV series, The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.
The singer has also made an effort in going back to help the community she grew up in. Her brainchild, Blues Babe Foundation, helps college-bound students in under-served communities who have shown they have the talent and skills but may not have the finances to go to college. The foundation’s services are geared towards students, ages 9-21 in North Philly and Camden, NJ. Blues Babe provides mentoring and financial scholarships, while also teaching kids leadership skills through programs like Camp Jill Scott and Clean Up Your Neighborhood.
Despite her rise to fame, Jill Scott has not forgotten her roots. Her music and efforts are truly reflective of her upbringing. For her talent, integrity, and generosity, she is most definitely deserving of some woman-crushing.
