"I was just thinking about you, wondering what you doing, I mean what you've been up to . . . "
-- Jill Scott, "Cross My Mind"

I was just thinking about Jill Scott.

The soulful songbird reportedly is in the midst of a divorce from her husband, Lyzel Williams, after five years of marriage. The couple dated for seven years before they got married in 2001. Ironically, Jill just recently finished work on Tyler Perry's next movie, Why Did I Get Married?, in which she plays an abused wife married to a tormenting husband. "I believed in that film so much; I took time off from recording my album just to be in it," Jill told the Metro newspaper. "I'm not good at doing five or 10 things at one time. Whatever project I'm working on, that becomes my main focus."

The two-time Grammy award-winning songstress is expected to her release her third studio effort, tentatively titled The Real Thing, in the fall. Jill also plans to talk about her separation in an upcoming issue of Essence magazine.

But that's not what crossed my mind about Jill.

About two months ago, while I was food shopping at the Super Fresh supermarket in the Philadelphia area, I saw pure beauty in the frozen food section. As I was putting frozen pizzas in my food cart, I looked up and saw the one and only Jill Scott. She was alone -- no bodyguard, no husband, no publicist, just her and a shopping cart. I thought to myself, "what the hell is she doing at the supermarket?" I stalked watched her as she was looking at various frozen Lean Cuisine dinners.

We were alone -- just Jill and I. I wanted to give her a big hug and a kiss. Her music has been such an inspiration to me through the years. But I decided not to bother her for an autograph. I figured I leave her in peace in the frozen food section.

Aw, who am I kidding . . . I chickened out.

I didn't want to cause a ruckus at the supermarket and draw attention to the fact that I was stalking Jill in the frozen food aisle.

As I walked by, Jill looked up at me and then saw that I had a piece of paper in my hand (it was my shopping list). She then smiled at me.

"Hi," I said.
Jill replied back with a quick "Hello."

She then continue to push her shopping cart through the aisle.

I turned around and looked back at Jill -- her svelte figure looked even more scrumptious from behind.

But what crossed my mind was how beautifully human Jill Scott really is.

And the next time I see Jill at the supermarket again, I'm going to holla at her . . . and pay for her groceries. LOL!

Jill Scott -- "Cross My Mind" (music video)

Jill Scott -- "Hate On Me" (new single)

Jill Scott in concert at Radio City Music Hall (concert review)

Holla!

Happy Father's Day to all of the dads out there who are holding it down and taking care of their children.

Young, Black and Fabolous gives props to the hip-hop dads.

Ed OG & Da Bulldogs -- "Be a Father to Your Child" (music video)

Holla!

I didn't like "Can't Tell Me Nothing."

I sorta like "Stronger."

But I'm definitely diggin' his newly leaked joint, "Bittersweet."

Kanye West (featuring John Mayer) -- "Bittersweet"

Okay, now I'm on the Kanye bandwagon.

Rhymefest, Common, Kanye and Twista -- all dropping hot CDs this year.

It looks like 2007 is going to be a banner year for Chicago MCs.

[EDIT 6/17]: Analog Giant posted a Diplo-produced remix of "Stronger" without Kanye's vocals. Not bad.

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The Graduates

Holla!

Can we please have a moment of silence . . .

For Freddie Scott (1933-2007), a mostly unknown soul crooner of the 1960's who passed away on June 4 at the age of 74. According to Soul Source, Freddie died after suffering a heart attack. His funeral service were reportedly held on June 10 in New York.

If you are a rap fan, you might be familiar with one of Freddie's songs. In 1968, Freddie recorded the ballad "(You) Got What I Need." That song was later used by Biz Markie for his ditty "Just a Friend" in 1989, which was produced by Marley Marl, who is recuiperating after suffering a heart attack.

See the connection? It's a small world after all.

But the main reason why I'm doing a tribute to Freddie Scott is after listening to this wonderful musical tribute to him, I was amazed by Freddie's powerful voice and body of work. Freddie was a gifted crooner who should have been more famous. He was known as "Mr. Heartache" because his ballads were so mournful or heartbreaking, and rightfully so.

Despite never reaching the success of his fellow R&B peers, Freddie does have a few hits in his discography. His melancholic ballad "Hey Girl" became a R&B chart-topper in 1963, as well as his remake of Ray Charles' "I Got a Woman." In 1966, Freddie signed with Shout Records and recorded "Are You Lonely For Me?," which stayed atop of the Billboard R&B chart for 4 weeks in 1967.

Freddie's singing career soon faded after that. In his later years, he wrote advertising jingles and appeared in a couple of movies.

But you should listen to this fantastic musical tribute to Freddie Scott and hear why he was such a great singer.

Rest In Power Freddie . . .

Holla!

Rhymefest (featuring Marsha Ambrosia) -- "I Came Home"

Rhymefest (featuring Lil Jon) -- "Angry Black Man On The Elevator"

Saucy Dame Dizzle's least favorite rapper Rhymefest has leaked two hot joints from his second disc, El Che. The tracks "I Came Home" and "Angry Black Man on the Elevator" sounds better than any of the songs featured on his disappointing debut effort, Blue Collar. It looks like Rhymefest is out to prove that his hidden Grammy win for "Jesus Walks" wasn't a fluke after-all and that he's a legitimate rhyme-spitter.

My favorite out of the two is "I Came Home," which is produced by Kanye West. It's a big beat, acoustic-guitar driven track with an inspiring chorus from hook queen Marsha Ambrosia. On the song, 'Fest relays an introspective message of "home is where the heart is" and vowing to never forget where he came from -- the city of Chicago. "I love my mama/ And when I get home, I'ma hug my mama/ and tell her that I understand/ She can see that her little boy became a man," he spits.

Rhymefest on a Lil Jon track may sound like a disaster waiting to happened, but surprisingly, "Angry Black Man on the Elevator," is b-b-b-banging.

Whuuaat?!?

On the marching drum and synth driven banger, the Chi-City MC spits politically-charged lyrics about society's fascination with dead celebrities and not caring enough about the war in Iraq. "America, get on down/ we calling the war/ when Anna Nicole died we all cried for a whore," he raps bluntly on the track. "El che I'm a rebel to America/ fuck the club, tear it up!" Rhymefest sounds like a rebellious Chuck D., which is absolutely refreshing to hear. Skip the punchline rhymes -- give me the hardcore shit.

Yeeeaaa-uh!

Let's just hope that Rhymefest stays focused and continues to bring more incredible joints to his disc, El Che, which is due out sometime this year. I can't wait to hear it.

You can also listen to both of these tunes on Rhymefest's MySpace page, as well.

Holla!