Fresh Air Best Of: Jill Scott / Riz Ahmed
Mar 28, 2026
Riz Ahmed, Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated actor and writer, talks about creating Bait and reimagining Hamlet with roots in his life. Jill Scott, Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and poet, reflects on her new album To Whom This May Concern and musical influences. They explore identity, performance, artistic origins, and the cultural threads that shape their work.
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One Afternoon Hook Became a Door
- Jill Scott wrote the hook for The Roots' You Got Me in one afternoon but later heard Erykah Badu singing her words.
- Instead of resenting it, Scott saw it as a door opening to touring and new opportunities despite not being the recorded voice.
Give Tasks To Earn Opportunities
- When someone asks for something, give them a task to prove you can do the work before asking for bigger opportunities.
- Jill Scott says she tests young artists by assigning tasks like learning an album or listening closely to measure discipline and commitment.
Aretha Tested Me With Two Hot Dogs
- Jill Scott met Aretha Franklin and was asked to fetch two hot dogs with cooked onions and mustard.
- Scott delivered the hot dogs while holding a number one album, learning that legends may test you to see if you earn your stripes.
