Gliding regally, dressed in flattering black with a touch of subtle gold,
her wrap crowning her head, Jill Scott doesn't need to say nothing or do nothing - the crowd wastes no time in letting her know that she's in the company of true friends.
It's more like a long dance than 'A Long Walk', as she arrives bouncing deliciously, her British subjects bouncing back in approval. The big lady bops energetically, reeking with bad-ass attitude, head nodding to each beat, as in-between she shares meticulous metaphors concerning true love and sex and switches from unique vocal sounds to witty poetic lyrics with enviable ease. As she skats, be-bops and sings her heart out, she virtually blows the roof off, hitting those operatic high notes.
The orgasmic 'Love Rain', 'Surely Slowly', 'The Way', and 'It's Love' follow, with each transition flowing effortlessly. Her comfort with the stage and the environment is clear as she carries out strong miming actions to illustrate the music. Her "I'mma fuck you up" head-weaving and finger-shaking motions as she performs 'Getting In The Way' is so empowered that those on the balcony crane their necks to see who in the audience she's arguing with.
Highlight of the night, though, is the recital of 'The Thickness', a sassy poem about the exploitation of a young girl's body, which combines comedy, drama, passion and realism. It clearly touches a personal nerve as she wipes her eyes as it finishes, composing herself for the next song.
Although the show is jam-packed with artistic vibes, it's over all too quickly: a single encore of 'He Loves Me', which quickly progresses into a dance-infused number, and she's gone as poignantly as she had appeared.
Adenike Adenitira
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