Jill Scott reflects on nearly 30 years of music, her 2026 R&B Hall of Fame honor, and the lessons that shaped her career — from touring with The Roots to building a live-instrumentation legacy.
In this Billboard panel, Scott also opens up about her new album ‘To Whom This May Concern,’ the gratitude behind her rollout, and why longevity still matters most.
Billboard staff writer Kyle Dennis sits down with the inimitable Jill Scott to talk: being named an R&B Hall of Fame inductee (2026), The Roots, “You Got Me,” and what she learned on the road, why she prioritizes live instrumentation and musicianship, her new era: To Whom This May Concern + “Pressure” hitting No. 1 (Adult R&B Airplay) and touring realities in the 2020s, community shows, and “paying it forward.”
Jill Scott Most of the time when artists are going on tour with another artist, the label or management or something pay the artist to take, their, the younger artist with them or their newer artist with them. I paid everybody because I remember what it was like to get paid. The Roots did that. They paid me.
Kyle Denis Wow.
Jill Scott I got $500 a night to sing a hook.
Kyle Denis Come on. [laughs]
Jill Scott At the time, it was more money than I had ever made per night. You know, my whole check would be the $500, and then after taxes, like, 278. You know, so I’d get that. But I wanted to continue that, and I’m really proud of it.
Kyle Denis My name is Kyle Dennis. I’m a staff writer at Billboard, and I’m here with the inimitable Miss Jill Scott.
Jill Scott Inimitable! [ cheers ] Very nice, very nice. Hello.
Kyle Denis How you feeling?
Jill Scott I feel good. I’m rushing a lot, but [ laughs ] I’m OK.
Kyle Denis We’re gonna take some time to breathe, slow down, and reflect-
Jill Scott Okay
Kyle Denis . . . on almost 30 years of R&B greatness. You are-
Jill Scott Thank you
Kyle Denis . . . our R&B Hall of Fame inductee for 2026.
Watch the full video above!