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Jill Scott is No. 1 in ‘The Sun’ – Metro US

Jill Scott is No. 1 in ‘The Sun’

Jill Scott credits old-fashioned home training with keeping her ego in check.

“My grandmother Blue taught me very early to not get involved in that mentality where you are put on a pedestal,” she says. “Because people on pedestals fall and fall hard.”

After her own successful HBO series and starring in a Tyler Perry movie or two, the Grammy winner might be putting those skills to use more than ever now. She’s back to her first love, music, scoring her first No. 1 album with her new set, “Light Of The Sun.” Now as the headliner of The Jill Scott Block Party she’s bringing her soulful sound to a venue near you this summer.

This show is more than just a concert. It feels like a big event.

It’s a whole bunch of fun with live musicians and great vocalists. I wanted to hear Stokely (of opening act Mint Condition) and Anthony Hamilton sing every night. Also I really enjoy hip-hop and nobody is better than DJ Jazzy Jeff. I reached out to him and that’s so full circle. He’s the one who was instrumental in putting me out in the first place. And then who’s better to keep the party live than Dougie Fresh?

Why did you go with the Block Party concept?

A block party is always a good time. Not a lot of pretense at a typical block party. You’re going to come. You’re going to see the people in your community and have fun. I like that kind of energy.

What do you think the tone of this new record is?

Freedom. We didn’t know what we were going to do. It just happened. It’s been the best time of my career. I have a template now. I know how I really enjoy creating. I don’t want to be in an environment where its “Let’s make hits.” What’s that? That’s work. That’s an agenda. This is music.

A lot has changed for you over the past couple years. I’ve read that taking over the reins of your recording career with your new label deal and a 60-pound weight loss were all parts of a plan to set a good example for your toddler.

I want to be around for him. There’s something about having a son particularly that put another level of fire under my bones. I just want to show him how to do the best you can. That’s a good early lesson for him from me. I want him to be proud of me.

Jill Scott plays the Bank of America Pavilion in Boston on July 26th, Nikon at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York on July 28th and at the Susquehanna Bank Center in Camden, New Jersey on August 6th.