Subsequently, she collaborated with Eric Benet, Will Smith, Lupe Fiasco, Common and broadened her performing experience by touring Canada in a production of the Broadway musical Rent. Signed to Steve McKeever's newly formed Hidden Beach Recordings label, she released her debut album Who Is Jill Scott: Words and Sounds Vol. 1 in July 2000. The following summer she released Experience:Jil Scott 826+ after she released the single "A Long Walk." Scott continued to gain more recognition, eventually earning a Grammy nomination in early 2003 for Best Female Vocal Performance for "A Long Walk". Jill Scott also won a Grammy award at the 2005 Grammy awards for Best R&B Solo Vocal Performance, Male or Female.
Jill Scott appears in David Chappelle's Block Party performing with The Roots and Erykah Badu.
Scott released a new album, entitled Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2 in 2004. Her book of poetry, The Moments, The Minutes, The Hours was released in April 2005.
Recently, Scott was prominently featured on hip-hop artist Lupe Fiasco's 2006 single "Daydreaming" which also appeared on a new Scott collection called Collaborations on January 30, 2007.
The Collaborations collection served as "an appetizer" for her next studio album, The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3 released September 25, 2007. A clip of the title track was released on a bonus disc from Hidden Beach Records and included with Collaborations. The lead single, "Hate on Me", gained airplay in May 2007 with a video released in mid-July. In advance of the album's release, Hidden Beach released a 17-minute album sampler through their forums. Interspersed between the dozen songs previewed on the sampler was a personal explanation from Jill for the inspiration behind some of her songs.
Jill Scott is also an accomplished actor, appearing as detective Precious Ramotswe in the BBC's dramatisation of Alexander McCall Smith's series of books: "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency". Scott also appeared as "Sheila" in the Tyler Perrry film, "Why Did I Get Married" (2007) and its sequel, "Why Did I Get Married Too" (2010) .
Brotha
Jill Scott Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You wanna tear we down, but you
Can't touch we
We ain't invincible
But Lord knows we're beautiful and
Blessed
Check the affirmative
(Oh yes)
Brotha, don't let nobody hold you
Back, no, no, no
Don't let nobody
Hold ya, control ya, or mold ya
Brotha, don't let nobody hold you
Back
Am I my brother's keeper?
Yes, I am
So many times you tried to burn we
You wanna break we down
(Use and discard)
We ain't invincible
But Lord knows we are magnificent
And blessed
Check for the positive
Brotha, don't let nobody hold you
Back, no, no, no
Don't let nobody hold you never, no
Brotha, don't let nobody hold you back
Don't let nobody hold you never, no
Brotha, don't let nobody hold you back, no, no, no
If nobody told ya, brotha
I'm here to let you know that
You're so wonderful
You're so marvelous
You're so beautiful
You're splendid
You're fabulous
Brilliantly blessed in every way
Y'all can't touch we
Brotha, don't let nobody hold you back
Jill Scott's song Brotha is a powerful anthem about empowerment, specifically for African American men. The lyrics urge men not to let anyone hold them back, control them, or mold them. Scott repeats the refrain "Brotha, don't let nobody hold you back" to emphasize the importance of individual strength and perseverance, despite the obstacles that may present themselves. She acknowledges that there have been attempts to tear down this community, but that they are still beautiful, blessed, and magnificent. The song is a call to action for men to take control of their own lives and not let anyone else dictate their path.
The repetition of the phrase "Brotha, don't let nobody hold you back" is not only a call to action, but also a reminder to the listener to believe in themselves and their own power. Scott's use of "we" rather than "I" throughout the song emphasizes the importance of community and solidarity. By saying "we ain't invincible, but Lord knows we're beautiful and blessed," she is showing that strength comes not just from individuals, but from the collective power of a community. Additionally, the use of the phrase "am I my brother's keeper? Yes, I am" shows that Scott is not just urging individual empowerment, but also a responsibility to help each other and lift each other up.
Line by Line Meaning
So many times you tried to cut we
We have faced many attempts to bring us down.
You wanna tear we down, but you
You desire to break us down, but you cannot succeed.
Can't touch we
You are unable to harm us.
We ain't invincible
We are not indestructible.
But Lord knows we're beautiful and
Despite our vulnerabilities, we are still stunning and amazing.
Blessed
We are favored by a higher power.
Check the affirmative
Focus on the positive aspects of our existence.
Brotha, don't let nobody hold you Back, no, no, no
Brother, do not allow anyone to hinder your progress.
Don't let nobody Hold ya, control ya, or mold ya
Don't let anyone manipulate or dominate you.
Am I my brother's keeper?
Do I have a responsibility to look out for my fellow humans?
Yes, I am
Yes, it is my duty to support my brothers and sisters.
So many times you tried to burn we
We have faced numerous attempts to harm us.
You wanna break we down
You desire to shatter us.
(Use and discard)
Treating us as disposable commodities.
But Lord knows we are magnificent
Despite the efforts to destroy us, we are still remarkable.
And blessed
We have been granted divine favor.
Check for the positive
Focus on the good things.
If nobody told ya, brotha
If no one has informed you, brother.
I'm here to let you know that
I am here to inform you that.
You're so wonderful
You are exceptional.
You're so marvelous
You are amazing.
You're so beautiful
You are incredibly attractive.
You're splendid
You are grand and impressive.
You're fabulous
You are remarkable.
Brilliantly blessed in every way
You have been abundantly blessed in all aspects of your life.
Y'all can't touch we
You are unable to hurt us.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JILL H SCOTT, ALLEN TOUSSAINT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind