To Whom This May Concern: Where Soul Meets Hip-Hop
Jill Scott -
To Whom It May Concern (2026)
Overview
Jill Scott — where soul, funk, and Hip-Hop soul meet.
Jill Scott’s anticipated album To Whom This May Concern (2026) is here, and she brings her soul, healing energy, affirmations, and more to this project. You can tell that throughout her 11-year hiatus, she was pouring everything into this album. We’re getting a refreshed style from Jill Scott, and it shows. She carries her classic Jill Scott demeanor while adding touches of Hip-Hop funk into several tracks. Some songs blend soul, blues, funk, and Hip-Hop — everything in between — in a way that makes you want to close your eyes and take it all in.
This is where Jill Scott solidifies her place in the industry, reminding us that she still has it — and even better.
Soul music and Hip-Hop are like siblings. They align naturally — Hip-Hop delivers the words and the gut punches, while soul lives in the beats, the melodies, and the feeling. And Jill Scott brings that dynamic beautifully to this album. From the first few songs, I felt grounded and at peace. Honestly, it felt healing. I even found myself aligning with the music, especially in this current season of my life — being still, having faith, and working on myself in every form. These songs inspire you to step fully into your higher self
She speaks on societal standards, expectations from others — especially men — and not allowing those pressures to interfere with her truest self. Many of us can relate, and that’s where the music creates connection.
“Ooh, I guess I wasn't the aesthetic. I guess I get it. So much pressure to appear just like them… I find it so pathetic, I know you gon’ regret it…”
— Jill Scott, Pressha
She uplifts us, reminding us not to let the voices or opinions of others deter us from our lives:
“I doubled down on believin’ that the opinions of other people couldn't light my light, nor deter my sight… nor wrong my rights, nor guide my life… or delay my flight, I’m flying high now… Let the load lift, let the words shift, I ain’t here to live in fear or just plain ol’ exist… I’ma go head and be great, why not?”
— Jill Scott, Be Great
And she reminds us not to repeat past mistakes:
“You don’t think it could happen to you, anything’s possible. You learn from your mistakes, you try not to do the same dumb shit. I ain’t going, I ain't going backwards — reverse. Don’t do the same dumb shit…”
— Jill Scott, Me 4
I think y’all get it. She added different elements to this album and did so with grace. This album couldn’t have come at a better time.
Where Soul Meets Hip-Hop
Jill Scott brought some legendary Hip-Hop icons onto this project — artists I personally listen to and was excited to hear — including Ab-Soul, JID, Tierra Whack, Too $hort, and DJ Premier. Each artist contributed beautifully, and their placements on each track made sense for their personality and artistry.
Norf Side
Dope! Jill blended her soulful vocals with confident rhymes, shouting out her hometown of Philadelphia — and I was genuinely impressed. The Philly in her definitely came out. Tierra Whack added her distinctive flair to both the chorus and her verse. They carried the track effortlessly, and DJ Premier’s signature New York production style aligned perfectly with Jill’s energy.
BPOTY
This track feels like Philly meets L.A. The melody Jill presents makes the song feel like it came straight out of a fly ‘70s pimp film — maybe that was the intention. The chorus speaks for itself. Too $hort adds his L.A. flavor, bringing his smooth flow and funky storytelling.
Ode to Nikki
Pays homage to the late Nikki Giovanni. Jill and Ab-Soul deliver their verses almost like spoken poetry, which aligns beautifully with who Nikki Giovanni was. The lyrics are liberating, vibrant, moving, and uplifting. Ab-Soul’s raw lyricism and wordplay made him the perfect choice for this track — it almost felt effortless for him.
To Be Honest
This was the perfect track for JID, especially from the moment the beat and chorus came in. JID slid on this song with pure ease, bringing his Atlanta swag, impeccable cadence, and smooth flow that meshed perfectly with Jill’s vocals. He even incorporated subtle singing notes that blended organically with her harmonies.
Jill curated an incredible roster for this album — truly where soul meets Hip-Hop. The entire project is beautifully written, uplifting, soulful, healing, funky, and makes you want to dance and just vibe out.
