JILL SCOTT – BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE
Jill Scott returns after nearly a decade with “Beautiful People”, the lead single from her sixth album “To Whom This May Concern”, dropping February 13th via Blues Babe Records/Human Re Sources/The Orchard. Her last full-length was 2015’s “Woman”.
“Beautiful People” opens with Scott speaking directly to listeners, telling them to listen to every word so they’ll be singing along at the first show. The track gradually builds with a hypnotic funk bassline before settling into classic R&B territory. Her vocals sit atop ’70s-tinged instrumentals with shimmering keys, gluey bass, and layered backing vocals. Production stays relaxed yet fresh, allowing her to range from spoken-word delivery to soaring soul phrasing.
Lyrically, Scott focuses on connection and togetherness. She sings about love being bigger than time or race, about resonating in every space. The chorus makes it personal: wanting to be genuine, loving souls, shining like stars together. It’s an homage to the people who supported her during her time away from music.
The album features Ab-Soul, J.I.D., Tierra Whack, and Too $hort, with production from DJ Premier, Adam Blackstone, Om’Mas Keith, Darhyl Camper, Andre Harris, Seige Montracity, Trombone Shorty, Eric Wortham, DW Wright, and VT Tolan. Scott describes the record as having “life, revelation, and a full musical spectrum”, with 19 tracks weaving soul, hip-hop, jazz, and spoken word together.
The single’s artwork features her mother, Joyce Alice. Scott wrote that she gave her creativity like handing someone a coloured napkin, taught her how to hold flowers and feel music, and shared her imagination.
With three Grammy Awards and multiple Number One albums behind her, Scott positions herself not as a nostalgic returnee but as an artist resharpening her voice while connecting to what made her iconic in the first place.
