Jill Scott Age, Height, Ex-Husband & Biography

Jill Scott is an American singer-songwriter, poet and actress who rose to fame as one of the leading voices of the neo-soul movement. Born in Philadelphia in 1972, she began her career as a spoken word artist before releasing her debut album, Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1, in 2000. She has won three Grammy Awards and has also built a successful acting career, starring in films and on television.

Quick Facts

Who Is Jill Scott?

Jill Scott is an American singer, songwriter, poet and actress known for her soulful voice and her poetic lyrics. She came to prominence with her debut album, Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1, in 2000, and her best-known songs include A Long Walk, Golden, Cross My Mind and Hate on Me. She has won three Grammy Awards and has topped the Billboard 200 with her 2015 album Woman.

Scott has also built a successful acting career, starring as Sheila in Tyler Perry’s film Why Did I Get Married? in 2007 and as Mma Ramotswe in the HBO series The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, which ran from 2008 to 2009. She is known for her powerful performances and her ability to move between music, poetry and acting.

Early Life & Background

Jill Scott was born on 4 April 1972 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She grew up in North Philadelphia and began writing poetry at a young age, performing spoken word at local clubs and open mic nights. She attended the Philadelphia High School for Girls and later studied at Temple University, where she worked as a teacher’s aide while pursuing her writing.

Scott was discovered by Questlove of The Roots, who invited her to join the band on tour and to co-write their song You Got Me, which was released in 1999 and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. The song’s success brought her to the attention of record labels, and she signed to Hidden Beach Recordings.

Career

Scott released her debut album, Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1, in 2000, and it became a critical and commercial success, reaching the top 20 in the United States. The album featured the singles Gettin’ in the Way, A Long Walk and The Way, and established her as one of the leading voices of the neo-soul movement alongside Erykah Badu and D’Angelo.

Her second album, Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2, arrived in 2004 and featured the hit Golden, which became one of her signature songs. The album reached number three on the Billboard 200, and the single Cross My Mind won the Grammy Award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance in 2005. She followed it with The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3 in 2007, featuring Hate on Me.

Scott released The Light of the Sun in 2011, featuring the single So in Love with Anthony Hamilton, and then Woman in 2015, which became her first album to top the Billboard 200. She has continued to record and tour, and she has kept acting, appearing in Tyler Perry’s films and in television series. She is the mother of a son, Jett, who was born in 2009, and she remains one of the most respected voices in neo-soul.

Facts About Jill Scott

• She was discovered by Questlove of The Roots and co-wrote their song You Got Me.
• Her 2015 album Woman was her first to top the Billboard 200.
• She has won three Grammy Awards.
• She played Mma Ramotswe in the HBO series The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.
• She began her career as a spoken word poet in Philadelphia.

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