Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, and Jill Scott individually cover Essence magazine’s June “Black Music Month” issue. The magazine not only photographed all three singers, but also interviewed all of the ladies together:
Essence: Have you ever regretted folding to pressure from record labels?
Alicia Keys: In the beginning, I didn’t understand the concept of boundaries. I wanted to make sure the music was heard, but there’s a price you pay for that. I did everything and anything to promote my first album, like flying from New York to Los Angeles and back on the same day, which was a bit excessive.
Essence: Have you figured out the ingredients for the perfect song?
Mary: Yes, but I won’t tell. [Laughs] For me, it’s about being real and honest. And the lyrics have to be relatable.
Jill: Oh, I wish I knew. I think Ne-Yo knows. I think Carvin Haggins, who does a lot of writing for Musiq Soulchild, has the ingredients, too. My songs are mostly about life experiences, about being human and falling and getting back up. About loving and losing. READ MORE
jill scott needs to get rid of those oreos boxes she keeps with her
All 3 covers are beautiful and vibrant, though Jill takes up the whole damn page.
And when are magazines gonna return to using models on their covers? Geez.
Will I get my official 1st?
Ladies in all shades and sizes. Gotta love Essence.
One downer…Mary, PLEASE change your hair color girl. I still love you though
They all look HOT!!! Jill Scott especially, I’m not used to seeing her so dolled up
I love it, I love it. Although I know these women are likely loaded with makeup…Essence is one magazine where I feel that they make women look the most natural…even with makeup…
they don’t have the makeup overkill where models look like cheap hookers or bubble gum clowns!
All the ladies look HOT! Glad to see it, since we been looking at HAM’s recently on the loop (Remy, ghetto prom girl etc) That green dress is fire for real…Hail to the Queen!…
they all look fly…..
3 beautiful African queens reppin’ to the fullest. I have nothing but respect and admiration for them. Jill lookng madd good fasho. Alot of us like a woman we can hold onto at night lol.
All of them look gorgeous.
love a.keys and jill looks beautiful..mary j does too but she is WAYYY OVERRATED..somebody can get butt hurt all they want
I won’t even respond to that ignorant mess Natural Mystique wrote b/c I know somebody done chewed him/her a new hole by now….
I think all ladies are beautiful…love the fact they were interviewed together…but why not a fourth cover together????
All of these sisters look fly. I’m so tired of people talking shit about Jill Scott. Everyone wants to see a size 0 or a size 2 or a white woman on the damn magazine cover. Get over it people.
SweetThang 729, I agree w/ your comment especially about some of the ignorant bloggers on this page. Also, I agree, the fourth cover should have had all of them together on on page.
I really like them, this artical, and the fact that these women represent positive ideas in music. I think all 3 are truly passionate about what they do and they are genuwine because they dont try to put on a front about things in their lives and music!
Wow, #11. Out of 10 comments, you actually chose to comment on mine. Thanks!
Did I touch a nerve? My opinion is just that–MY opinion.
Alicia looks ok
Mary’s dress looks great but her face not so much
Jill’s face and hair look great but that dress is horrible
that was rather ignorant….
all 3 look beautiful, jill looks GORGEOUS!!
Jill looks lovely.
WTF is wrong with people that they are talking about Jilly???? Leave the oreos alone??? WTF!!! Has it ever occurred to you ignoramus that everyone is not supposed to be thin? Oh wait, the first one was left by ignorant a$$ pete. Figures. They all look beautiful! I can’t wait to see which one I get and to read the interview!
Jill is representing for the thick and beautiful who aren’t afraid to love themselves and their bodies : )
All 3 women lookin sexy and reppin to the fulliest!!!!
Jill is a great artisit her music is so real aswel as mary and alicia
her weight is none of your business who cares how many stones she is
people,they come in different races and different sizes
dont be so damn ignorant
but as they say ignorance is bliss *smdh*
Nice but Do. Not. Want.
First of all, Mary J. Blige and Alcia Keys are both so deeply rooted in white media acceptance and corporatism (not hating on them, just sayin’) that to constantly parade them out as some sort of black female heroines is insulting. Their success stems from more white acceptance and Essence wouldn’t even THINK about putting them on the cover if they hadn’t been huge selling artists.
Jill is a little more independent but still, she’s not the only full-figured woman out there worth repping.
There are so many other black female artists that deserve covers and since Essence is mainly subscription based and not a lot of people are buying it off teh newstand, they can afford to think outside the box.
I’m also certain that most of the content of this “black women rule” issue will be out how we DONT rule when it comes to men/relationships but are so damn successful in our careers.
Nice try but it’s Essence so I won’t hold my breath.
Isn’t it amazing how people are always saying that bigger women should be represented, but then the moment one does represent, a stupid comment is made. They all look beautiful.
Is this out yet?? They look amazing!!
How U gonna hate on Jill? Come on now…really! That’s just wrong. Like ain’t no big people in y’all family.
We are so divide, not better to do than hate.
They all look nice.
Damn #23, why don’t you tell us how you really feel? I honestly don’t know too many white folks who listen to Mary (and I know a lot of white folks). And what other full figured singers are out now???? The subject of the article is “Taking Over the Charts”. Who else is selling music these days? Why can’t you just be happy for black folks? Why we always trying to bring each other down? Name me some other black female artists taking over the charts right now (other than E. Badu, who had her cover a few months ago)?
I’m loving every one of the covers. Especially Ms. Jill.
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i love jilly from philly she is like the only truly positive singers i can think of thats out today she just deplays elegance and class of what a woman should be excellent role model for little girls coming up, but of course it’ll get overlooked because people are always bagging on her size its just sad
Jill looks the best and naturally beautiful, not to mention she is the best singer and songwriter of the 3
Mary needs to kill that wig and Alicia has been air brushed beyond recognition
This is going to be a HOTTTT piece. I cant wait to read!!!
*displays
and i thought usher was suppose to be on the cover or something
The dresses they chose are gorgeous but Jill is just soooooooooooo gorgeous. That should be the official cover. She looks other-worldly in that color!
go head JILL SCOTT, Mary was on the list last time, wth her, Beyonce& Janet, I aint madd @ her, she still doin it up 4real….Alicia is hott too…gta chek this out…I do miss Beyonce & Janet tho/haha…
Jill cover is stunning love the blue.
Mary hair is stale I love her tho but it’s time for a change.
Alicia nice cover
THREE BEAUTIFUL STRONG WOMEN!!!!!
All the ladies look radiant! Some people need to stop hatin’ on Ms Jill Scott, she’s an excellent artist/actress/entertainer; I can’t wait to see her in concert on July 18th.
I think all the women look great! theyre so talented and its great that Essence are celebrating every shade and type of black beauty (light, medium, thick, slim etc)
Thats not something you see on magazine covers everyday.
Im not even going to dignify comments 1 & 2 with a response because they don’t deserve it.
And Jill is the prettiest of them all (naturally and with makeup); she may be plus sized but shes gawjuss! Skinny doesnt equal beautiful
Jill Scott is the TRUTH!!!! I absolutely love her…SEE HER LIVE TRUE TALENT…Not a cracked note and very entertaining….LOVE HER!!!!
Wow Jill is stunning!!!!!! Gorgeous!!!
Love all 3 covers! Altthough I love me some Alicia, I have to admit that Jill Scott is killing it in the look department! I’m proud of all these talented women!
#1 & #2: you illin, son! LOL
jill is lookin F-L-Y!!!
i love these ladies. wonder what cover i’ll be getting in the mail…
Question: does Essence mag think there are only 5 famous black women? Cause I swear they feature the same people over and over (Mary J, Jill Scott, Alicia Keys, Beyonce, & Queen Latifah) with a sprinkle of Nia Long.
Why is Jill Scott so freakin’ pretty? Not only, but she can sing! All up and through the ipod. I always be a Alicia fan since the Fallin’ days.
listening to “a long walk now” …
listening to “a long walk” now …
Nice.
Guess anyone past a size 4 is not allowed on the cover of magazines.
Tsk.
JILL LOOKS GREAT.
Everyone looks great, with the exception of Jill Scott. She need to lose some damn weight . Her face is beautiful but she’s put on a lot of pounds in the past two years. I love you Jill but I have to be truthful . Nothing is sexy about being big and greasy.
lol natural mystique is prolly the biggest or ugliest person ever an have the nerve to talk about sumbodyelse i like all the covers to b honest…i jus wanna kno why they let essence b known wit jill an not the otha 3 nothin big but jus wodnerin!!!
i meant 2
love all 3 ladies! they’re so real n i love their music. Respectable women who dont have to sell out n put out to make it. Talented, is all i have to say.
I’m so sick of hearing “Mary needs to change her wig”. What the fuck does your hair look like? And all three of these women are gorgeous and talented. Get the fuck over it.
Now those r some pretty woman. I love when they use the “PRETTY” black woman to represent our race.
Mary needs a new hairdo! Shes my fav of the 3 but not feeling her look. And ppl can talkall they want about Jill being “BIG” because she looks the best out of the 3 on the cover. And Alicia is always gorgeous!
All of the covers… I wish they were on one because they are all my favorite signers. And Boo to the girl talkin ish about Jill.
..As a brotha who’s been reading Essesnce for over 10 years, and an avid magazine collector, I gotta say I hate the multiple cover bit. A triple gatecover cover would have been kewl.
Picked up my ishs on Sunday…
All three looked hot, and Jilly, well, that’s my baby mama, so…. stop hatin….
I’ll take the Jill.
>>>>I understand it’s Black Music MOnth, but I’m sick to death of Mary on the cover of Essence. I subscribe to the mag and I think she has been on it like 30times. There are other black women doing things and going through things. Geesh!