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Charlamagne tha God
This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human pressure has a way of.
Angela Yee
Revealing what remains steady. In the latest Nissan campaign, the Nissan Rogue was tested to the extreme to demonstrate that it's built to last through durability and reliability challenges inspired by real tests conducted by Nissan engineers. Brutal potholes, a steady force of water, even a jet powered sandstorm. Each challenge inviting a deeper look at how quality, durability and reliability hold hold their ground in real world conditions. Every test was 100% real. No CG, no AI. To see how the Rogue held up, visit nissan-duordability.com we all come into January.
DJ Envy
With big resolutions, but February is usually when a lot of those dreams start to die. I'm partnering up with Shopify to help keep those dreams alive by making it easy to finally make them happen. If you've been thinking about starting a business, Shopify makes it simple. Whether you're just starting out or already running one, Shopify can handle anything you throw at it. A few products are a full catalog. It grows with you, it's easy to access, and that is what you want. When somebody is supporting your business, you want to make it as easy for them as possible. And Shopify does that. Don't let your dreams of being your own boss die with the rest of your 2026 goals. Let Shopify help you stay the course. It's time for you to invest in your own business, not someone else's for a change. Head on over to shopify.combreakfastclub and see what it feels like to be the one in control of your future.
Lauren London
You know, we joke all the time on our show and it seems like we hate on each other, but in real life, it's all love here and that's family. And that's why this message from the Blue Square Alliance Against Hate really, really matters. Because real hate isn't jokes, it's real people getting targeted. Like the kid who gets singled out at school in the commercial during the big game. But what stood out to me was someone choosing to show love instead of ignoring it. If you saw that Blue Square commercial, you know. And if you want to show support, sharing the Blue Square is one way you stand for love and not hate.
Charlamagne tha God
All right, now let me tell y' all something. Uncle Joe is back and this time he's got his own movie after stealing the show. In 12 Madea movies, Tyler Perry's most unfiltered no filter having character is hitting the road and a true R rated comedy. And nah, this one is not for the kids in Tyler Perry's Joe's College Road Trip. Joe takes young BJ on a cross country college road trip, dropping tough love, wild jokes and life lessons about black history and finding your roots just in time for Black History Month. Joe's College Road Trip premieres February 13th on Netflix.
Angela Yee
Hold up.
DJ Envy
Every day I wake up. Wake your ass up. The Breakfast Club.
Lauren London
Morning, everybody. It's DJ Envy. Just hilarious. Charlamagne the guy. We are the Breakfast Club. Lauren Laros is here and we got a special guest in the building.
DJ Envy
The legend, the icon has returned to bless us with her presence once again.
Lauren London
Ladies and gentlemen, Jill Scott is back. Welcome. How you feeling?
Jill Scott
Thank you. Thank you.
DJ Envy
How do you feel, Ms. Jill?
Jill Scott
Excited. Excited.
DJ Envy
First album in a decade.
Lauren London
Ten years.
Jill Scott
That's what I hear.
DJ Envy
To whom it may concern.
Jill Scott
Yes, sir.
DJ Envy
By the way, I love the way you release music because it feels like you release music when you feel like you want to. When the spirit moves you, how do you know when is the right time to release music?
Jill Scott
Because I have too much. And then it lets me relax. When it's not finished, I 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. I was like, okay, now I can create.
Lauren London
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.
Jill Scott
I mean, it doesn't stop. It's gonna show up. I mean, what are you gonna do? I do record, but I don't. I just go when I feel like it were for no intention, just because I have to get it out. Other than that, you know, it's not like I'm thinking about an album until it's done.
DJ Envy
Are you like a comedian? Like, you know, comedians always say they gotta stop and live a little life before they get back on the stage. Are you like that?
Jill Scott
Absolutely. Yeah. Yeah. I gotta. I gotta make dinner. I gotta go grocery shopping. I gotta see my mom. I gotta have her put me in my place a little bit, you know, raise my kid, do stuff.
DJ Envy
Absolutely.
Jill Scott
Other than that, what are we talking about?
Charlamagne tha God
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.
Jill Scott
Well, he's 16 now, 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 Jid. He's the one that suggested Tierra Whack. You know, he's been a part of the whole process.
Lauren London
So you got him working.
Charlamagne tha God
So he A and R. He is.
Jill Scott
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.
Lauren London
Thus all of that.
Jill Scott
Yeah. Thus far. I'm just watching to see, you know, what I could do, you know, how I could help out with the thing.
Lauren London
Does he know how special his mom is and how powerful his mom is?
Jill Scott
Well, he loves me, you know, like, whether I do well or if I, you know, what I have or don't have, he loves me. You know, we love each other.
DJ Envy
Yeah. You're special and powerful to him in ways that we would never understand. You, his mom.
Jill Scott
I love him, I appreciate him, I respect him. Try to help him in any dream that he has, and I. I don't even know what it. That'll 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. I'm straight. Like, he's a good person. He's so funny. He's cool. So I'm glad he suggested Jid. I. I was. We listened to him, you know, like, this is our music in the kitchen. This is what Jet and I do when we have time together. And he said, mom, why don't you call Jit? And I was like, I don't know him, Jet. And he's like, just DM him.
Lauren London
And that's what you did?
Jill Scott
Yeah. And it's like minutes later, he texted back, like, what's up, queen? What you want now? What you want to do? And I was like, huh? Well, he said, send it. And within 24 hours, he sent his verse back.
Lauren London
Wow.
Jill Scott
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 mcs that I love and the MCS 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. He painted brilliant. So proud of him and so happy that he's on my project.
DJ Envy
So what made you put absol on Old to Nikki, because I feel like Old to Nikki would have been such a personal record to you that you wanted to keep that to yourself. What made you reach out to Absol?
Jill Scott
Because Nikki Giovanni inspired writers. She inspired her inspired poets. And Absol is an ill mc.
DJ Envy
Absolutely.
Jill Scott
He's. 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 Ode to Nikki, she had just passed. Absol seemed like the right guy to me.
DJ Envy
I mean, no, he sounds great on it.
Jill Scott
He does sound great on it.
DJ Envy
I just wanted to know the meaning, because I'm like, you know, that's a big compliment for Absol because we spend.
Jill Scott
A lot of time talking. We clicked really easily. So we talked about the Celestine prophecy, 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.
Lauren London
You look so happy. Like, you look so glowing. I've been watching your rollout, right. I seen you with a demo, and I seen you doing a lot of pressing. You just look and feel like a positive vibe.
Jill Scott
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?
Lauren London
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's love to craft. You could tell when an artist has to do something for money or when an artist has to do something because the label is requiring it or management requiring it, then you could tell when.
DJ Envy
Somebody just loves putting albums every 10 years. She doesn't do anything because the label wants her to do it.
Lauren London
I know.
DJ Envy
That's what I'm saying.
Lauren London
You can tell the difference.
Charlamagne tha God
Even your rollout felt like a hug. Like, I saw you, you went from Gillian 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, like world of things.
Jill Scott
That was the plan. I have a new publicist. I think she's absolutely wonderful. Her name is 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, hold on. Was 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. That light up from the inside, you know, that. That Love. Love. Yeah, love. Love. That are again, financially respectful to their lives. Make sense. Okay. And so if that's the. If that's the intention is 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.
DJ Envy
That record that the church gonna be mad at you.
Charlamagne tha God
Oh yeah, possibly.
DJ Envy
That's like part two of Drewy skit.
Jill Scott
Possibly.
Charlamagne tha God
It's a church in the education system too though, right? Cuz you mentioned education in there as well.
Jill Scott
Yes. And the pharmaceutical industry.
Charlamagne tha God
Yes. Big pharma.
Jill Scott
Yeah.
DJ Envy
You ain't lie though.
Jill Scott
I know you didn't lie.
DJ Envy
And even just the choice to go get too short to come on there and describe pimping.
Jill Scott
The mentality of a pimp. What is it? So, 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 that. 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.
DJ Envy
Know, are those records easy or hard to create?
Angela Yee
Easy.
Jill Scott
Really easy. The. The musician's name is Kari Martin. I met him when he was like a kid at the studio. Now he's. He played Every instrument on that. Every instrument.
DJ Envy
Wow.
Jill Scott
Right, Right. Okay. He gives me this music. It feels like. It feels like. Like the Players ball. It feels like it's pimpy. It's. It's fela. It's like revolutionary at the same time. And I was like, yeah, okay, what am I gonna talk about? This is what I want to say. I say, preacher man, what you trying to do? Trying to get this money? Is that all you do when mama ain't got squat, but you take that toe when he 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 bills, but you're still riding around in the Cooperville biggest pimp of the year, huh?
DJ Envy
So when you look. When somebody. When you meet Two Shorts, what'd you say you met his engineer?
Jill Scott
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.
DJ Envy
Even Hip hop DNA, yo.
Jill Scott
Is that what that is? Like immediate brethren. 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. I engineer for Too Short. I just believed him. I just believed him.
Lauren London
I just believed him.
Jill Scott
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. I. 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 now we're talking. He's been giving me music forever. He just keeps. Keeps the inspiration churning, right? So he's. We're talking and I said, I got this track. I. I want it to feel like. I want it to feel like a marching band. I want it 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 me. I called Easy. He went in and cut 480 tracks.
Lauren London
Jesus.
Jill Scott
Why would you do such a thing, sir? Why would you do such a thing? And he's just like, I love you.
DJ Envy
That's a great intention.
Jill Scott
So listen, the way that it's working, I couldn't have planned it. Like, even the day that it's, you know, come out. It's. It's February 3rd. 13th. 13th.
Charlamagne tha God
Yeah.
Lauren London
2, 3, 2, 1, 3, no.
Jill Scott
February 13th. Got it.
Lauren London
I don't get it.
Jill Scott
But okay. On the 20.
Charlamagne tha God
Wait.
Jill Scott
26Th year, right? 26.
Lauren London
Nobody else in the room. Got it?
DJ Envy
Yes. Oh, two. 13. 13 times. No, no, hold on. You ain't got anybody.
Jill Scott
It's as simple as simple could be. I love. I, I, I call myself the queen of grand simple things. 2, 4. 1 and 3. 2 and 6. Wait. 2 and 6. 8. Right? 2, 4, 8. Just as simple as can be. These are the things that I look for.
DJ Envy
Just for things that all add up.
Jill Scott
Basically, I am. After reading the Celestine prophecies, I am driven. I am. I'm driven. It's a path. I just, I just follow it. Signs are obvious and evident. And I say yes, whether, 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.
Lauren London
Most people would have stayed away from Friday the 13th.
DJ Envy
Why? She playing Jason? She killing these hoes. Listen. But no, 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 always had that divine energy, that divine presence. Like, that's why we've always gravitated towards you.
Jill Scott
It's a confirmation of what I already knew.
DJ Envy
Got you. Okay.
Jill Scott
It was a, it was a stamp. So when I'm not reading it, I'm listening to it. It's just a good story. Like, 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, 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. You know, 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, the, the mud around your boot is, is rich and it's kind of, like, mushy and, 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. They're nine insights. The studio that I was Working out of has I've worked in 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, okay. I'm headed in the right direction. Don't give up. Just. It's. These are the things that I look for, like, little. Little signs that are actually really big ones. And here I am with you. It's been a while.
Lauren London
It's been a while. So if everything's a sign, do you ever feel. See a sign that says, I'm not going in that direction or I'm not going there, or management, let's not do that, because that does not feel right.
Jill Scott
It's. It. It's not as easy. It's abrupt. It's harsh. It's a. It's a jerk back. And I. I haven't really. No. I don't know how to, like, navigate that part yet, but I will. 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. That's right. 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 talking? Got Covid all in my face and I got covet. I was like, see, girl.
DJ Envy
Everything makes so much sense now. Because, you know, one of my favorite records on the album is Pay youy on Tuesday, right? And it's so funny because my niece had put out a tweet yesterday, and she put, if you 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 youy 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.
Jill Scott
Part of it.
DJ Envy
Part of it.
Jill Scott
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. I buy the stuff that I can afford, and somebody else was like, but you can afford. You don't know what I could afford, and you don't know what I want.
DJ Envy
But you act your wage.
Jill Scott
I do, I do. I do. I think it's a wise decision. I. I save properly. I. I invest. I. 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. It's been so nice. Oh, my God. You know, my son went to Tanzania to get his scuba certification.
Lauren London
Wow, that's amazing.
Jill Scott
That's so fly.
DJ Envy
Tanzania is beautiful.
Charlamagne tha God
I was like, I've never been.
DJ Envy
Oh, I went to Zanzibar, Tanzania. I went to Zanzibar and Tanzania. Beautiful.
Jill Scott
I've never been. But he has, like.
Lauren London
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.
Jill Scott
Joyful. Happy is fleeting. Joyful, joyful, look for it. That's an insight as well, to constantly look for the joy. Taste the food. Taste it. Feel the water. It's nice and it sparks creativity.
DJ Envy
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? 10,000 real quick.
Jill Scott
I've learned this. If someone wants to borrow something from you, you give them a job word. If they do the job and do the job well, then that you're showing me something, I'm going to give you a small reimbursement contract. I'm going to say 25amonth. 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. 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 gotta see something. You gotta show me something. Can't just tell me a dream. Okay.
Charlamagne tha God
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 gotta set these boundaries. When did Jill Scott say, I done did enough. I gotta stop this now.
Jill Scott
Now.
Lauren London
Something had to happen.
Jill Scott
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. If you're not paying attention, it just creates age. But, yeah, I've been paying attention, and I know that, that, that doesn't make me feel good to watch people do things that are outside of their. Their particular space, financial space, like going on a cruise. Okay, you going on a cruise, but you didn't pay the mortgage. I can't help you with that. I can't. And the fact that you had asked 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. The tuition is behind or it's not. It's nothing like that. And even if tuition is behind, how them grades, how they doing, what activities are they in? Because it's mine and I can share with you as I seem fit and deemed fit. It might seem harsh, but I. I don't know, it feels right to me. I feel better. I don't feel weighed down by people's stuff.
DJ Envy
I don't think that's harsh. And then also, what about when you give somebody money for mortgage, but then you go see them on a cruise after you. After they just ask you for money?
Jill Scott
I didn't get invited to the cruise.
DJ Envy
What is blues to you?
Lauren London
That's his favorite song, by the way.
Jill Scott
That's one of his favorite songs.
DJ Envy
No, I got a lot of favorite records, but that record was hitting hit for me yesterday in A real way. I got a lot of favorite records on that, but that one really was okay.
Jill Scott
Music is medicinal. It'll hit you when you need it. So what do you mean by, like, what. What does it do for you, man?
DJ Envy
For me, it. 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 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 they. I don't want no more, nigga.
Jill Scott
It's exhausting. Yes, 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.
Lauren London
Mm.
Jill Scott
It is. That's.
Charlamagne tha God
It's really mentally heavy, too, especially depending on where you come from. Like, I've. I've. Your song with a tier whack is so Philly. It's so, like, arts Philly. I love Tierra Whack, 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 how you said I turned 50, right? I got family members, 65 and plus, that are, like, literally aging themselves because they're still holding on to that. I got to do everything for everybody.
Jill Scott
Yes. It's not benefiting us. It's like, what are we being loyal to? That line, you know, all. All skin folk and kin folk. Not all people are your people.
DJ Envy
That's right.
Jill Scott
You gotta search out for your people and weed them out respectfully, you know, 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, 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. 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 auntie. I love you. Okay.
Lauren London
Well, I'll make space in my bank account and I'm manifesting if that money come in.
Jill Scott
Get another account. Get another account.
Lauren London
Did your friend ever get the man?
Jill Scott
They're very happy.
Lauren London
Oh, good.
DJ Envy
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 30s?
Jill Scott
What does it require now? I don't know what it requires. I know what I require.
DJ Envy
What do you require?
Jill Scott
I require a certain amount of rest. I, I want to be in the best venues, that has the best sound. I, I like a two bedroom or a definitely a two bathroom hotel suite. Time with my people, like, my people, they. I've known them forever. They're like friends. They're not like friends, they're the best of friends. Time with them. And then I, 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. I, 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.
Charlamagne tha God
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Jill Scott
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 in, you know, if I 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 in big grand scopes, you know. So To Whom this May Concern requires these things and that's where I am at this point.
DJ Envy
The title feels like a like, like, like a boundary and a release in a way. Why'd you come up with that title to whom It May Concern?
Jill Scott
Because it's To Whom this May Concern.
DJ Envy
Casting a wide net.
Jill Scott
It is To Whom this May Concern. I'll 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 Billie 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 did he make such a big deal about this lady? Until I got my feelings hurt. And then I played Billie Holiday, and I was like, oh, that's what this is. And you're relating to me in this space. Oh, 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.
DJ Envy
That makes so much sense because, like, you know, I can't wait. I think about, like, you know, older records of yours, like, Blessed, right? And when you first heard it, it's. 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.
Jill Scott
You get to that point, you're like. And I know what I know.
Lauren London
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.
Jill Scott
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 poetry, 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.
DJ Envy
I really am on the hook. Okay.
Charlamagne tha God
I was gonna 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, sensing, as you say, you can't wait to see the people show out for this.
Jill Scott
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, like, is. And they're up. And they're up there, too, as far as I can see. And I. And I get to see these faces Looking back at me, I don't know how I'm going to make it through that. I'll do my best. And I don't know how I'm going to make it through Ashe either.
DJ Envy
They hit so different. Me and one of our producers was talking about that record earlier because she was asking me what was one of my favorite records on the album. And she said, ashe, Ashe.
Jill Scott
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 ever get through that song. And they'll probably have to sing it for me. I just don't know. I don't know.
DJ Envy
I've seen you do some amazing singing when you was crying. I remember years, years. This is 20 plus years ago. I seen you in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Sugar Water Festival. You hit a high note so crazy, like, literally a tear came down your face like in Denzel and 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.
Jill Scott
We'll see how this goes.
DJ Envy
On the hook of be great, you say, I'm gonna go ahead and be great.
Jill Scott
Yeah.
DJ Envy
Do you have times where you feel like you're. You're not great already?
Jill Scott
It's internal, it's. And it's not for anybody else's. It's not for anybody else. You're great. My great. It's all great. You know what I'm saying? But I'm gonna do my great. I'm. You know. Yeah. Do I have. Do I have. What was the question?
DJ Envy
Like, do you ever feel like you're. You have moments where you feel like you're not great already? Like, I don't know, because I can't. I can't imagine Jill Scott having imposter syndrome ever.
Jill Scott
Oh, thank you. I'm sure. I feel insecure and scared and. 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.
DJ Envy
When you say I'm gonna go ahead and be great, you're just talking about.
Jill Scott
Everything and all the things, you know what 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 doubled down on believing that the opinions of other people couldn't light 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 kidding what I put into it I spend my sweet time where I deem fit I got one life Imma 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 live Let the words shift I ain't here to live in fear or just plain old exist I' ma go ahead and be great. Why not? 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 when, before they propose.
Lauren London
Before they take their test.
Jill Scott
Before they take their test.
Charlamagne tha God
So much affirmations here.
Jill Scott
Yes.
Charlamagne tha God
Like the whole, like, it felt like, like, I feel like living my life like it's golden is 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, you just going off.
Jill Scott
With the affirmations and other things. Is that what it is?
Charlamagne tha God
It felt. I don't know if I like. It's kind of like. So the opening song, what is it? Dope shit. That kind of felt like a. Like how you was like, just listen 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 done 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.
Jill Scott
You can see it.
Charlamagne tha God
Yes. Like, it. It just continues and continues and continues.
Jill Scott
Yes, yes.
Charlamagne tha God
So maybe it's more of a movement, not affirmations.
Jill Scott
Woo. 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.
DJ Envy
You know, I wonder when you do records like pressure, when you do records like Me 4, 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?
Jill Scott
I never thought about it. I don't know if that I'm looking for closure necessarily. I need to say it.
Charlamagne tha God
I need.
Jill Scott
I need it. I need to say it. It is true. I need to 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. That's what it is. That's exactly what it is. Yeah.
Lauren London
You ever went too far and was like, let me take this out, man.
Jill Scott
Many, many times. Really many times. Many times. I. 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 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. But 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. That was real there. But I probably shouldn't have shared it.
DJ Envy
You went hard on this album. I mean.
Jill Scott
Oh, yeah, I.
DJ Envy
Did you say you married a. Yeah, that's pretty.
Lauren London
That's what I said.
DJ Envy
That's a little far. I wouldn't know what went further than that. That's pretty self explanatory.
Jill Scott
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I think I just needed to get the. Get stuff out too. You know, music is healing for. For the artist as well. Supposed to be.
Lauren London
What's the moral compass with that? Is it yourself saying now? Is it your son? Is it your homies?
Jill Scott
Be like, 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. Right? Nobody did not. I don't know if I would agree or disagree about it. Shit. Did you see how everybody's going crazy about Squeezing My Meat? It's a song called Don't Play.
DJ Envy
Yeah, right. But I ain't seen. I didn't see people going crazy about it.
Jill Scott
Oh, boy. I did. They were like, squeeze my meat. And I was like, she said, squeeze my meat. She was like, squeeze my meat. And I was like, I did.
DJ Envy
They're not used to that from you yet at this point.
Charlamagne tha God
It's a new generation of people who just be on Twitter.
Jill Scott
I'm just confused. Maybe you all can help me out here because I would love to know. I've heard lyrics that.
DJ Envy
Oh, way worse. Slob on my knob like corn on the cob. They singing about eating ass now, Jill.
Jill Scott
I heard, 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?
DJ Envy
They're not real Jill Scott fans then.
Jill Scott
No, but what. But besides being a fan or not, like what's radical about that? I just don't. I'm missing something.
DJ Envy
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?
Charlamagne tha God
I also think it's. I think it's too like with the new generation, they get it different ways.
DJ Envy
I'm sure I will at some point the spirit of more me and I'll just be coming around the corner. Squeeze My Meat.
Lauren London
You better never sing that if you're in the bathroom with me, bro.
DJ Envy
I'm just telling you it might can happen, that's all.
Jill Scott
I think it's the fact that you gotta say squeeze.
Charlamagne tha God
They said it was. They was demon. The big areola music.
Jill Scott
I heard that too.
Charlamagne tha God
Yeah.
Lauren London
I was like to pick Ariola music.
Charlamagne tha God
Yeah. 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 straight forward 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.
DJ Envy
I don't talk to people though like that. Like people like that. It's like. Like I hate people that I don't want to have to. Don't. 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.
Lauren London
They'll get there.
DJ Envy
The greatness of Jill Scott, you know, Catch up in your own time.
Jill Scott
Fair enough.
Lauren London
They'll get there.
DJ Envy
Catch up in your own time.
Jill Scott
Right.
Lauren London
I gotta explain it. They'll get there.
Jill Scott
Life will happen. And then there I'll be you're loving auntie with so many stories to tell, so many life experiences to share, so many lessons learned, so much music.
Charlamagne tha God
There was a skit on here too. I forget where. Where it like comes in at. 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 on Hotels. Just because of what you said. Like, I. I know we know so much about you, but I know that there's a lot more to hear. And now that 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.
Jill Scott
Well, I don't know. I did listen to Viola Davis book and just. My God, I could 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. I have a lot of dreams.
Charlamagne tha God
Does that mean a book is in the works or something?
Lauren London
I know a publisher if you need one.
Jill Scott
Thank you.
DJ Envy
You know, it's so interesting. You mentioned David Banner a lot to me. Y', all. 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 heal Jill Scott, but I never thought about that until I've heard you mention him in the last couple. I heard you mentioned him in Angie Martinez interview and you mentioned him here now. And I'm like, they the same person kind of energy wise.
Jill Scott
Thank you. We. We click.
DJ Envy
You want to expound?
Jill Scott
What would I say about david ban? 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. And he's. He's amazing for resources as well. We, we buckheads often. And I tell him, I'm not scared of you, David Banner, you know, and he likes that. So we're. That's my brother from another mother.
DJ Envy
Yep, I can see that.
Jill Scott
And I think he's beautiful. That part too.
DJ Envy
Do you think healing is. Is louder or quieter at 50?
Jill Scott
Quieter internally, but very vocal outside.
DJ Envy
Gotcha. It shows up in the music.
Jill Scott
Yeah, gotcha. Yeah.
DJ Envy
How old are you 47?
Jill Scott
That's it.
DJ Envy
Yeah, I'll 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 it. That you have to unlearn.
Jill Scott
The unlearning part. Practice, practice, practice, practice, practice.
Lauren London
What did you have to unlearn that was so difficult?
Jill Scott
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, like. You don't have to try. You don't have to try. All you got to do is realize. Shout out to Bilal. But that's all you got to do. And that is, like, this freed me. And I. I have so much. I have so much music, y'. All. It's not even funny with. With in so many different categories, which is exciting to me. I don't know. I. You know, this one. I'm. I'm here. See, I gotta 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, like, 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.
DJ Envy
Is there a song on this album that represents a boundary that you used to ignore, but now you protect it no matter what?
Jill Scott
I'd have to look at the song list. Can you think of one?
DJ Envy
Let me see. You got dope. Be great. Beautiful people off the back north side. Disclaimer. Pay you on Tuesday. Pressure me forward the math or universe lifting me up don't play. To be honest, right here, right now, I say sincerely.
Jill Scott
Do.
DJ Envy
Probably me for right.
Jill Scott
No.
DJ Envy
Maybe pressure.
Jill Scott
No, 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. I am literally baby mama number four. Four is my favorite fucking number. I'm always gonna find it. I'm 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 in inside of everything, to tell the story properly on stage.
DJ Envy
That's what you're looking forward to the most.
Jill Scott
I'm looking forward to it. It's therapeutic. Is terrifying. So scary.
DJ Envy
Oh, we. I'm coming to see you on Valentine's Day. I will be right there. Me and the wife.
Jill Scott
Nice.
DJ Envy
Absolutely.
Jill Scott
No, I'm. I'm feeling stuff out, so you're coming to a feel out.
DJ Envy
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 to whatever that is?
Jill Scott
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. My. My private. My personal life is solid. I love my home. I love my friends. I have beautiful friends, y'.
Charlamagne tha God
All.
Jill Scott
You will fuck with them. Anybody would like. They're so dope, so many levels of it. It's not a lot of them, but they're powerful. I'm. I'm. I'm. You know, I'd say you say you're happy, you say you're joyful, and people get upset about it. I feel sorry for that for you.
Charlamagne tha God
People being upset about you saying it.
Jill Scott
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.
DJ Envy
And that light gonna irritate some demons and others.
Jill Scott
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 for 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. Is love. The power is sincere friendships. The power is guidance. My mentor is outside somewhere. Like, having that is. 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 stressy. Stressful. She'll come in swinging, swinging like boys in the hood 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, whoa. And I love that. I want to, you know, I'm like, damn. I really like to. Got everything I asked for. I got everything I asked for.
DJ Envy
Praise God.
Lauren London
Amen.
Jill Scott
Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
Charlamagne tha God
Everything.
Jill Scott
Wow.
Charlamagne tha God
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.
Jill Scott
Ma'. Am.
Charlamagne tha God
You've been literally like the Jill Scott my whole life. I'm 34.
DJ Envy
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. 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 up. Putting out new music. Like, that matters. Like a lot of people that put out music, I can take it or leave it. Some people put out music. The world stops for me. That's right. And that. That is what you're doing with. To whom it may concern.
Jill Scott
I hate to be redundant, but I'm gonna say it again. That in the time when Marvin Gaye was the highest, there were albums that hit number one and stay number one for weeks. In the time with Shaka Khan, I love you wherever you are. Shaka Khan so much had number five on. On some chart. There was some 1, 2, 3, and 4 that were doing way better than that. But who do we remember? That's right. Who do we talk about? Who do we still go see? It's. You know, this thing is. Is all secular. You're gonna get. You're gonna 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. We live by it and we reference it and. And that's what I. My goal was. I wanted to have a career like Frankie Beverly and Ma. And somebody else would be like, well, what do you mean? Frankie Beverly and Maze. Not everybody knows them. What Frankie Beverly and ma 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. And I. I have it. Yes, you do. I might have to take a nap.
DJ Envy
Ladies and gentlemen.
Lauren London
The album is out today.
DJ Envy
Make sure you buy. We appreciate you so much. I hope you get that nap. No, that's. That's divine. Go get that nap. You deserve it. Your soul deserves it.
Jill Scott
Oh, my goodness. Here we go. All right.
DJ Envy
It's Jill Scott.
Lauren London
It's the Breakfast Club.
DJ Envy
Good morning.
Angela Yee
Hold up.
DJ Envy
Every day I wake up. Wake your ass up. The Breakfast Club. Y' all finished or y' all done?
Lauren London
That's right. It's DJ Envy.
Angela Yee
It's your girl, Jess.
Jill Scott
Hilarious.
DJ Envy
And I go by the name of Charlamagne, the God. And we are the world's most dangerous morning show, the Breakfast Club. You just finished listening to, you know, our podcast for today.
Lauren London
That's right.
DJ Envy
And. And we want you to go watch the visuals on Netflix. You know, we. We're still on YouTube, but it's the clips on YouTube. But if you want to watch the Breakfast Club in full, if you want to see what you just listened to, go to Netflix.
Jill Scott
That's right. Find us on Netflix. Sure.
Charlamagne tha God
This is an Iheart podcast, guaranteed.
Episode: INTERVIEW: Jill Scott On Divine Timing, Honesty, Healing + New Album 'To Whom This May Concern'
Date: February 13, 2026
Host(s): DJ Envy, Lauren London, Charlamagne tha God, Jess Hilarious
Guest: Jill Scott
This powerful interview with Jill Scott marks her return with her first album in a decade, "To Whom This May Concern." The conversation dives deep into Jill’s creative process, spiritual journey, visions for healing, personal boundaries, and the wisdom she’s gained at 50. With her signature authenticity and irreverence, Jill shares the inspirations behind her music, talks family and legacy, and delivers affirmations for both herself and her listeners.
| Time | Segment/Topic | |--------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:04 | Jill on divine timing and releasing music | | 04:38 | Discussing her son’s involvement and support | | 06:55 | How Ab-Soul fit the "Ode to Nikki" record | | 09:22 | Rollout as an intimate “hug” | | 11:17 | Working with Too Short and social critique in music | | 15:37 | Spiritual guidance and numerology | | 19:41 | "Pay You on Tuesday," boundaries, and poverty mindset | | 23:51 | Turning 50, wisdom, and financial boundaries | | 27:09 | Letting go of unhealthy loyalty/boundaries | | 33:37 | Meaning and intent behind "To Whom This May Concern" | | 39:33 | Affirmations and the “Be Great” anthem | | 42:38 | On music as healing and the tension of honest lyrics | | 52:24 | Peace and what happiness looks like at this stage in life | | 56:14 | Jill’s reflection on her legacy and aspirations |
The conversation is deeply personal, spiritual, and honest, punctuated by laughter, rapport, and moments of raw vulnerability. Jill radiates joy, wisdom, and playfulness throughout, while The Breakfast Club hosts offer genuine admiration, humor, and insightful prompts.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration on artistry, wellness, boundaries, and the journey toward self-acceptance. Jill Scott isn’t just celebrating her new music—she’s imparting life lessons on healing, loving, setting boundaries, and growing older with grace. Listeners walk away with a sense of affirmation, motivation, and the realization that divine timing, honesty, and self-respect are at the core of both her music and her life.
Recommended Next Steps:
– Listen to Jill Scott’s "To Whom This May Concern"
– Reflect on your personal boundaries and affirmations
– Embrace joy and practice gratitude in each stage of life