The neo soul diva gets candid about her new album, life as a single mother and being open to love.
Your new album, ‘Light of the Sun’, is so sexy…
Oh yeah, the more you listen, it gets all kinds of hot. The album was an idea first: I wanted it to be warm, revealing and refreshing – because when the light of the sun hits you, there is nowhere to hide; and I didn’t want to hide behind anything.
When you’re recording do you have a set way of doing things?
Well, I just learned my method. I never knew I had one, but I prefer to spend four or five months in the studio not knowing what to do, and I love to have musicians or a DJ or a drummer with me.
Do you vibe off the beats?
Yeah, I just vibe and the great musicians come with me, and they sometimes drive my music to one direction or sometimes I’ll lead them into another. DJs are fun, because every time they change a track, I come with a new style voice or attitude. I mean, writing is great and I can always come back and teak what I’ve done, and sometimes I do that, but I prefer now to get in front of the microphone, be as honest as possible, letting it happen.
Has having your son Jett changed you musically?
He’s changed me personally, and on a musical level. I felt after I had him I could pretty much do anything. My fear level has gone down dramatically. He’s made me brave.
Is he ever naughty?
Hmm, is he naughty? I guess I would say he is opinionated. If there is something he doesn’t like he will let you know. He’ll tell you! His vocabulary is big, he communicates really well I’m so proud.
How do you find balancing work and having a son?
The balance is the challenge overall, especially as being a single mother is hard. I hate leaving him when I travel; I don’t want to force travel on him, but I have to travel for work. So I have to leave him. I’m here in London and he is home in LA, and it’s a hard thing. I miss him, I’m missing out on wonderful things, but mummy has to work, mummy loves what she does and mummy has a work ethic. And I want him to too. I want him to love what he does.
What’s your favourite track on the new album?
‘Rolling Hills’ is my favourite song to perform. It’s about the power of the woman. The first line is: ‘Maybe you don’t recognise what’s between your thighs, come on, so I’m gonna set you right and I’m starting here tonight.’ I don’t know if we understand our worth in any society, that if we are not here, this race of beings does not continue. I wonder about us [women], about who we allow to stick their roots into us [sexually]. I’ve learned massively about my worth as a woman and my power of femininity. I like my curves, I like walking into a room and owning myself. This is a good feeling. I describe how great the ‘coochie’ is. There’s power in them rolling hills – ‘rolling hills’ include our physical shape and our mental brainwaves. With all this, we can change the world if we want to!
Would you say you’re a feminist?
Partially, but I enjoy being submissive. I love having a dominant male figure; I can’t submit to someone who isn’t strong. I have a saying: “If you can tell me what to do, you can tell me what to do. If you can’t tell me what to do, you can’t tell me what to do.” I need someone with character.
Is there someone special in your life right now?
I have decided, based on previous experience history, that I will keep my private life private. For a while I didn’t believe in love and it hurt, it was really painful. Because I have always believed in it. I believe in giving love and getting love, and I have seen some great relationships. And when I didn’t believe in love I felt like I was dying. But I’m open to it now.
‘Light of the Sun’ is out now
Follow Jill Scott on Twitter @MissJillScott and visit her website www.missjillscott.com
