Following her January announcement, Jill Scott has released her sixth studio album, To Whom This May Concern, on February 13, 2026—her first full-length project in nearly a decade. The 19-track set features live musicianship with bass on every song, collaborations including JID, Too $hort, and Tierra Whack, and draws from her life as a mother to her 16-year-old son.
Jill Scott, the three-time Grammy-winning singer, poet, and actress, dropped To Whom This May Concern on February 13, 2026, following the album's reveal last month. Building on the previously announced collaborations with artists like JID, Ab-Soul, DJ Premier, Too $hort, Tierra Whack, Om’Mas Keith, S1, Young RJ, Trombone Shorty, and Maha Adachi Earth, the project emphasizes emotional depth through live instrumentation, particularly bass on every track.
In a recent interview on The Rickey Smiley Morning Show, Scott discussed balancing the album's creation with raising her son: "I’ve been working on this album and raising my boy. He’s extraordinary. I love him to death and like him a lot too." She highlighted the bass's role: "It can really express emotion through the instrument, and I love that."
All 19 tracks, including the previously released “Lifting Me Up” and standout “Precious” (haunting, sexy, and empowering), were recorded in the last 18 months. Speaking to Billboard, Scott clarified her hiatus: “I did not have a creative block. I just took a creative break.” She shared mixed emotions about releasing it: “Initially, I felt pregnant and I felt tired of holding it... The idea of giving your baby to the world — it’s very scary.” The title provided relief: “It kind of released me... This is for the people it’s for.”
Scott also mentioned her acting, including emotional scenes in Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married? and a potential third installment, alongside a Valentine’s Day performance at Blue Note NYC on February 14 and upcoming tour plans. On her artistry: “I have to live life in order to write. That’s what art is — pouring humanity into music."
The album is available on major streaming platforms.
