Alrighty, I know calling this Afrobella of the Week is a total misnomer for two reasons.
1. I run out of gas by Friday or wind up too busy, so it really winds up being Afrobella of the Fortnight. But that doesn’t have the same ring to it, now does it?
and 2. Jill Scott ain’t a weekly phenom. She’s my Afrobella of the Decade. She’s my Miss Jenkins. Don’t you say nothing bad about Miss Jenkins!
I distinctly remember the first time I saw Jill, in the video for “Gettin In the Way.” It was a landmark moment for me, because I had never seen a sassy, thick, naturally beautiful woman on BET in a primo spot before. I mean, that video was on during the day, not relegated to Midnight Love hours.
Ever since then, I’ve loved Jilly from Philly. I’m a total stan. I own all of her albums, and Dave Chappelle’s Block Party was on repeat at our place for a while (because I love Jill, and Dead Prez, and The Roots, and Cody Chestnutt… but most of all because I MISS Dave Chappelle!!! Come back to your fans, Dave!).
To me, Jill Scott is the essence of soul.
Not to mention the fact that people tell me I look like her all the time.
I know that I don’t, not REALLY, but hey – it’s a much better compliment than “you look like Sybil.” (A brief aside – does ANYBODY remember Sybil? I KNOW Rich from Four Four does, he has to! I loved this song!)
Seriously, I had a lady come up to me at Publix to ask me if I was Jill Scott one time. I was so delighted I just about skipped out of the store.
Lordy, if I could interview Jill Scott I would probably make a babbling fool of myself. I’d wind up crying and telling her how much I love her music.
Even though Jill’s hair is straight and retro in her latest video, I had to name her Afrobella of the Week. She’s so amazing. I had a difficult time choosing a Jill Scott video – do I pick a live version of “You Got Me”, or “Golden,” which always lifts my spirits? Then there’s “Gimme,” which is guaranteed to get y’all dancing on this beautiful Friday? Or how about this incredible clip of her singing “Good Morning Heartache”? (Fresh, look out for LaMichael at the beginning!)
I even contemplated posting this audio-only clip of “The Thickness”, just because Jill so eloquently captures the essence of what Afrobella is all about. Seriously, if you’re a big beautiful black girl and you’ve never heard “The Thickness,” you owe it to yourself.
But I finally decided on “Daydreaming,” with Lupe Fiasco. Jill sounds perfect and looks absolutely gorgeous! I adore her makeup in this video. This is my JAM, y’all. Hope you enjoy it.
Congratulations, Jill – you’re Afrobella of the Week!
i’m a frequent reader of your site Bella and i give you permission to post the poem THE THICKNESS that i uploaded (yes i’m keenabuttah). i want ALL of the sistas and brothas to hear it. the part that moves me is towards the end when she keeps saying “she’s so biiig!!! she’s so BIG! she’s so big… she’s.. so … big” that part makes me cry cuz its like since i’m “SO” big, a man dont wanna reach out to me. iono.. cant explain it, but i mos def FEEL it
i just wanna hug jill scott whenever i see her. she got that soothing voice (like me) and her aura is just so bright and beautiful. when i went to her big and beautiful concert tour i couldve sworn she looked at me like “i see ya girlly! rock that flower in your ‘fro” and was singing JUST TO ME! felt like i was the only one in the room!
i played her album SO MANY TIMES but at the concert i its like, i got another perspective from her songs and lyrics. the sista is DEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!
again, i just want to hug her and for her to hold me. awkward but true
ok.. i need a hug! Lol
Keena, THANK YOU for posting “The Thickness” on YouTube! I know what you mean, and it doesn’t sound weird to me. Being a big girl myself, I know how you feel. I have never been lucky enough to see Jill live, but I definitely plan to someday. And sometimes we all need a hug, and to know that we are loved and beautiful. So, the best I can do is send you a mental hug.
**********
Got it? =)
Have a wonderful weekend, Keena!
Patrice AKA Afrobella
Yeah Jill is fantastic. I listened to her first CD so much it got all scratched up! She is beautful inside and out and that voice! Man that chick can sang! Great post Bella!
Jill is one of my alltime favorites. She is always flawless and beautiful everytime I see her. I took the boyfriend to see her in concert for his birthday and he is forever greatful (being a Philly guy himself) and you know she was on point.
Lol at makeup girl, because I did the same thing! I had to burn another copy of Who is Jill Scott? a few months ago because I played the original so much. And Beautifully Human is AMAZING. I can’t get over “Spring Summer Feeling.” This is a great pick for Afrobella of the Week. Every time I see or hear Jill Scott I get happy. I would love to see her live one day.
jill holds a special place in my heart! i’ve seen her in concert twice and probably would’ve seen her 2 more times had i not been broke. “its love” gets played at least 3 times a day on my iPod. i love the fact that she takes breaks between albums and isnt all up in our face year after year like other artists are these days. i think i’m going to go play her live cd now.
oh yeah, love the site!
Hi Afrobella. I agree with you on this one. Jill Scott is ALL THAT and a bag of chips. Plus, I remember Sybil. You don’t look like Sybil.
HottieHottie took the words right out of my mouth!
Thank you so much for naming Jill Scott as Afrobella of the DECADE. I think I’m ’bout as much of a stan as you are! I loooooooooooooooooooove Jill!!!! I think she is just so talented and so beautiful! And I love how she is herself, she’s a thick sista, but no one can deny her beauty. I just watched that Lupe Fiasco video and I love her voice, anything she touches turns to gold. Ok, I’m going to stop because I’m starting to get repetitive with the “I love…” so. Yeah. Good call.
Oh! As far as people saying you look like Jill Scott, that is a wonderful compliment. This summer I was in Italy with my sister, and we got the “compliment” of us looking like Venus and Serena Williams… That’s all I’m going to say about that.
Hey Bella! You hit the nail right on the head with this pick for Afrobella of the Week! Not only is Jill beautiful, but she is soooo talented and a positive role model for everyone. She’s great, and Daydream is my SONG!!! IMO she’s kinda channeling Billie Holiday in “Strange Fruit”. Her voice is so melodic and haunting.
Oh, and btw: I just wanted to write you and Coffy(and everyone else I guess) a few words about Garnier Fructis Style Brilliant Crème Gel. I followed the directions, applying the product when my hair was semi damp. I really didn’t know how much to apply since I have SOOO much hair. I then dried my hair using the hair dryer (because I was in a rush, but next time I’m gonna air dry it to see what happens), and I have to say I liked it. My hair was very wavy, but it had a lot of volume. It was bordering on frizzy! Lol I tried finger curling, like you said Bella, and it did work for the top part of my hair which lies flat. I would most likely repurchase because I was able to touch my hair, and reshape it various times. I received compliments on it so I was happy. Thanks Afrobella and Coffy!
Another Jill Scott Devotee here! Oh, and I love Sybill, too 😉 One thing I love about Jill, which I’ve talked about on my own blog, is that she doesn’t let her size define her . . . she is just Jill . . . makes no apologies or explanations . . . she just gets on with it and goes about her business!
I’m a HUGE Jill Scott fan and at least two or three times a week people are chasing me down for an autograph. They think I’m her!!! I love the “Daydreamin” video and have been on a serious quest to find out what lipstick she’s wearing. I’ve come pretty close to recreating it: I use two lip liners that I blend-MAC’s “Cushy” which is one of the creme liners and “Nightmoth” with the new lip varnish in “Warning.” It’s a deep, brick, chocolaty, burgandy, brown red. No blue like a lot of reds tend to have. Oh, and I remember Sybil-“Don’t make me over, now that you’re mine, how I adore you…”
Love Jill Scott my fav song from her has to be a long walk, brings back so many good memories, and i think she is just stunning.
and i hate to be thick here but what is a “stan”
This is the perfect picture of Jill Scott she is beautiful
Oh god the thickness brought tears to my eyes because it’s just so true how people view women especially women who are not considered what society considers a woman to look like, jill scott is the truth, I love your blog because you speak the truth. This is the first time i’ve heard this song, I always ask my mom why is it so hard for guys to reach out i’m alway smiling so I don’t see why they wouldn’t reach out you know and she says your time will come you will find someone who will love you for who for who you are baby just be patient. much love Stacey.
Never heard Daydreaming until I read this post last week & now it is one of my favorites.
J-I-l-l is hot, I love her work & her person. Her rendition of Good Morning Heartache is just awesome!
I know what you mean.I listened to her first album so much that one day it just snapped it had gotten so thin I took it out of my cd player and it was like it just dissolved into my hand. I cried like a baby. I know what you mean about interviewing her too because I think I’d just break down right there and she’d be looking at me like I was crazy. Love this blog, keep it nice. I’m a true Afrobella myself rocking it natural and black. Stay up my sister.
I like your writing styyle. I think you did a good job. As I’m sure you can tell from my articles, I write exactly the same way I speak. My work sounds more like a conversation with a friend than a formal writing project. I think that’s what your work sounds like as well and I like it. Not only are you my favorite photographer but now you are also a favorite writer!I still get compliments on the headshots you took for me. Thank you!
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