Jill Scott needs no introduction around these parts, as we’ve shown our respect and adoration for the songstress many times over the years. The Philadelphia native found herself trending on social media this week after footage of her singing a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” went wide with plenty of approval from Black Twitter.
The 2023 Essence Fest was another star-studded gathering of popular Black artists and entertainers, with fans from all over the country visiting New Orleans to take in the festivities. Among the top acts, Jill Scott delivered a packed set last Saturday (July 1), and the footage of her remix of the National Anthem, reportedly written when she was just 19, added to Scott’s lasting legacy as a vocalist.
Given the political climate of the United States and in the wake of the latest SCOTUS decision on affirmative action, Scott’s song came at a perfect time to address the tensions among Black folks across the nation.
The song opened with, “Oh say can you see by the blood in the streets” and as evidenced by the videos we’ll share below, the moment was one to behold. With the same expert ease she’s shown over two decades and more, Scott proved that her powerful voice is also a necessary one in these times.
Of course, that previously mentioned political climate will decry Scott’s right to express herself and represent the concerns of her people on terms that benefit us all will be met with criticism from certain individuals but we’re not centering them in this piece.
Across Twitter, fans are reacting to Jill Scott and her remix of “The Star-Spangled Banner” positively as one can imagine. We’ve got those reactions below.
The beautiful and talented Jill Scott has a different version of the Star Spangled Banner that #BlackAmericans can definitely relate to. She did the daggone thing and it's tight but it's right.@missjillscott #4thofJuly
drdebonair pic.twitter.com/dS75RbOhHj
— Unapologetically Black & Positive (@KimWrites4U) July 4, 2023
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Photo: Josh Brasted / Getty
1.
Jill Scott remixing that anthem gave me chills. pic.twitter.com/nQUZCKXpDZ
— Waiting To Oxtail (@ThatDudeMCFLY) July 5, 2023
2.
What Jill Scott say? "I can stand nun of you bitches. I happen to love my sisters."
More of this, less of these new bitches.
Real QUEENS STAND SHAKE THE ROOM & Change the whole courseREAL LOVE DOES EXIST. From women like this
pic.twitter.com/OcvrRJ2aEl
— QUEEN WATER
(@QueenWater_) July 4, 2023
3.
don’t jump me, but Jill Scott is openly Black as fuck and doesn’t downplay it even slightly for any audiences. seeing a Black woman from Philly use the National Anthem to call out what the country is, in a sold out arena is not something i take lightly. that’s a risk and she dgaf https://t.co/PgHiT9vV6E
— The Morally Corrupt Anne Resnick. (@il0vetotour) July 5, 2023
4.
When they ask Jill Scott about her rendition of the national anthem… pic.twitter.com/UjIB8rfXdH
— Brooklyn (@BrooklynBoyB) July 5, 2023
5.
Aye, man….. protect Jill Scott at all cost!! They gon be on her head after this…. Holy fuck. #GangstaTears #EssenceFest pic.twitter.com/SofcKmut0R
— Habitual Linestepper® (@Griffen) July 5, 2023
6.
"Fuck the anti-Black propaganda. Fuck em all' – Jill Scott pic.twitter.com/gcXtQzD1pY
— ghetto intellectual
(@kzshabazz) July 4, 2023
7.
Jill Scott seems to be the only neo soul lady who is not an annoying ass pick me weirdo. Lord. The allegations sticking for alot of them other ladies – real bae
— Tittygate 2023 (@jiggyjayy2) July 5, 2023
8.
Jill Scott, Missy Elliot, Janelle Monae and Megan did they thing at Essence fest
Let the women/nonbinary do them
There is no discourse when men are sexual on stage its just acceptedLet the ppl be
— HotT
(@hottiehive) July 5, 2023
10.
idk if i said this before but i need a jill scott tiny desk
— sammy⁷ is celebrating festa (@woozidancntrl) June 30, 2023