A Star Reilluminated: Jill Scott’s Long-Awaited Return to Music

Stars, like energy, never dissipate; they are conserved and transformed. Jill Scott’s current project is perfect proof of this.

News of a new album from the iconic neo-soul artist is a long-awaited gift for her fans and supporters. It has been nearly a decade since the release of her last studio project, making the announcement of fresh, “eargasmic” content particularly thrilling. According to “Variety, this upcoming work will be her sixth studio album, slated for release just a month from now—a moment that has felt a long time coming.

Enter Jill Scott

Scott’s public music career began in the late 90s, though her landmark debut studio album, “Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1,” arrived in the early 2000s. It was an astronomical success, immediately establishing her as a formidable talent and a voice the industry had been missing. Her sultry, poetic vibe made the album—and its subsequent Volume 2—critically adored and commercially huge. As IMDB notes, the double-platinum debut earned Scott several Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist.

A Multi-industry Talent

She built on that success, but her artistry was never confined to music. Scott proved to be a natural on screen, delivering memorable performances in films like “Why Did I Get Married?,” “Steel Magnolias,” and “Get on Up,” as well as starring in the Peabody Award-winning series “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency,” directed by the late Oscar winner Anthony Minghella.

Parallel to her music and film work, Scott left her mark on the literary world, authoring multiple books, including a book of poetry that became a New York Times bestseller. Amidst this prolific creative output, she also spearheaded significant philanthropic efforts.

Jill Scott is Back

Given that her last musical project, the album “Woman,” dates back to 2015, fans have sorely missed her presence. The recent reveal of new material is therefore perfectly timed. As an early preview, Scott released the single “Beautiful People,” which has already amplified excitement and anticipation for the full record.

“To Whom It May Concern.”

In a recent interview with Variety, Scott spoke glowingly about the upcoming album, describing it as a revelatory piece with “a lot of living in it. The album, entitled “To Whom It May Concern,” is set for official release on February 13, 2026

Written by: Renae Richardson