As part of ESSENCE's annual 'Black Music Month', the June issue of the renown magazine features R&B/Soul heavyweights Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige and Jill Scott on special edition covers. Each speaks to the magazine about their storied careers and how they've managed to stay relevant.

What do you think of the covers?

Labels: Alicia Keys, Jill Scott, Mary J. Blige

Soulful songstress Jill Scott released her CD/DVD combo 'Live From Paris' today in the US. This rendition of 'The Fact Is (I Need You)' is one many great performances to be enjoyed on the release. I'll be sure to pick this up whenever I can get my hands on it; Jill is such a rare talent in today's industry.

What do you think of the performance?

Labels: Jill Scott

In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald soulful singer Jill Scott detailed a recent incident where she was called a 'n*gger' and how she dealt with it:

“I was waiting outside for the valet to bring the car round, and these … I say kids, but they must have been 25, looking wealthy, five-o’clock-in-the-morning wasted. And this guy’s saying, ‘Step back nigger, step back nigger.’ He’s saying it like it’s a song, but there’s nobody out there but me. I was taken aback, and I said, ‘Excuse me?’

And he said, ‘Shut your mouth and don’t say a word when a white man is talking.’

“I’m not kidding. I started laughing, and I followed him and his cohorts through the parking lot laughing hysterically, and they became more and more uncomfortable. It was one of the best moments of outrageous laughter I’ve had. To think for one moment I could possibly fit into that box … I am so far from that word that it is funny. They looked so uncomfortable; I wanted to emasculate him, to make sure he was getting no nookie that night. The girls sobered up and were looking scared. It was something else - the first time in my life I’ve been called that. Wow. But I enjoyed it. You must fight back; it’s imperative. I like the fight in me now.”

I agree with her 'fight back' conclusion. It's baffling that even in today's society, racial discrimination still exists. SMH...

Any thoughts?

Labels: Jill Scott

Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4 / Part 5 / Part 6 / Part 7 / Part 8

It was a really great interview, with all of the cast coming across well. A tidbit for the Janet fans (and stans lol): it is rumored that the 'cheating fiance' situation she was talking about pretty much explains her broken friendship with former choreographer Tina Landon. Anyway, back to the film; it looks like it's going to be good. Be sure to check it out when comes to a theatre near you as from next week.

What do you think of the interview?

Labels: Janet Jackson, Jill Scott, Tyler Perry

After a brief hiatus, soul songstress Jill Scott is set to release her third full-length LP 'The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol 3' on September 25th. I'm liking the lead single 'Hate On Me' and feel it to be a true return to form for the critically acclaimed Scott. The video isn't all that great, but who cares? With Jill, it's the talent that's at the forefront.

What do you think of the song/video?

Labels: Jill Scott