Jill Scott is opening up about her decision to leave the traditional record label system. The R&B icon revealed on the House Guest podcast that her departure led to a $19 million lawsuit and a “smear campaign.”
Full story below…
She explained her frustration with the label system. Consequently, she decided to leave. She said:
“I left the record labels and all that a long time ago. I had to fight for it.”
She described the absurdity of needing to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to an executive’s relative to get radio support. She said:
“The music is good. Is there any way that you could support that?”
Then came the legal battle. She said:
“I left and got sued for $19 million. I was like, you made $19 million off of me?”
The dispute dates back to her break with Hidden Beach Recordings in 2010. The label sued her for allegedly failing to fulfill contractual obligations. Scott countersued, and both sides settled the case in February 2011.
Scott now releases music through her own Blues Babe Records. Her latest album, To Whom This May Concern, dropped through the label. Furthermore, she is reprising her role as Sheila in Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Again?
Watch the full podcast here:
