Jill Scott, 'Hidden Beach Presents: The Original Jill Scott From the Vault Vol. 1'

When Jill Scott emerged on the scene in 2000 with Who Is Jill Scott? Words + Sounds, Vol. 1, a heavy sigh swept across the country. It was the collective exhaling of thousands of women who'd found a kindred spirit; a home girl who understood the depths of their passion, pain, self-determination and other life challenges, housed within a refreshing sanctuary of R&B/soul, hip-hop, gospel and jazz. Scott still has the touch: The Light of the Sun, her first album for Blues Babe/Warner Bros., debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in June. But fans are in for an added treat with this collection from her former label. Comprising new tracks, alternate versions and bonus material recorded during her tenure with the label, the project (available in standard and deluxe editions) transcends the thrown-together, unfinished feeling frequently associated with from-the-vault projects. Hand-picked by Scott and Hidden Beach, standouts include the moving "Wake Up Baby," the empowering "I'm Prettier" and Scott's revamp of the Bill Withers classic "Lovely Day." The raw emotion and range of Scott's voice and her remarkable gift for wordplay are consistent throughout. It's the evolution of a career artist in the making.

Ruby Dee Honored at BET's "Black Girls Rock!" Ceremony

By Joyce Lee

Ruby Dee, the actress who co-starred in the 1961 film adaption of "A Raisin in the Sun," was one of the many women honored at the 5th Annual "Black Girls Rock!" event, which aired Sunday on BET.

Dee, who is also known for being a political activist, journalist and poet, as well as an award-winning actress, was the receipt of this year's Living Legend Award.

"It's times like these that I come to understand and appreciate profoundly the empowerment and promise, the responsibility in being deemed a legend," Dee said in her acceptance speech, according to the press release.

The award show, which celebrated the power and influence of black women, also honored producer and rap artist Missy Elliot, who was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Teresa Clarke, the founder of Africa.com, who was given the Trailblazer Award.

Sunday's event, hosted by actress Nia Long, also featured musical performances by Keri Hilson, Ciara and Shontelle, but the show stopper was from Kelly Price, Marsha Ambrosius, Jill Scott & Ledisi.

Erykah Badu Window Seat Spoof by @SpokenReasons

On Wednesday, March 31, Erykah Badu released her video Window Seat and The Future posted the hit single's video.

However, the next day Erykah’s major record label Motown Records pulled all the videos posted on youtube and other players.

The kid @SpokenReasons redid Erykah’s video for Window Seat and I think I almost died watching this video. Hilarity at it’s finest. In the video you can see the comedian Spoken Reasons walking through what looks like a college campus taking off his clothes. He has on like 100 shirts and he's thinner than JJ Evans. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the girl in the back picking up the clothes. OMG!!!

Check out the video and the twist at the end. It’s the best thing on the internet right now.

Jill Scott is sued by her longtime record company

R&B star Jill Scott has been sued by her longtime record label, which has accused her of pulling out halfway through a six-album record contract.

By: BBC News

Industry paper The Hollywood Reporter said Hidden Beach Records is seeking damages for the money it would have made from the rest of the deal.

The complaint, filed at the Los Angeles Superior Court, said it was "shocked by her decision" to leave the label.

Ms Scott also stars in the HBO's original TV series The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.

In 2007 the Grammy award-winning star made her cinematic debut in the film Hounddog, before starring in Why Did I Get Married? later the same year.

She went on to win the lead role in The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.

'Incredibly talented'

The legal action states that Hidden Beach's founder, Steve McKeever, helped launch Ms Scott's career, but was dumped in October after more than 10 years of collaboration.

"Hidden Beach is shocked by her decision, not only because Scott has apparently chosen to leave the Hidden Beach family, but also because Scott is contractually required to deliver three more albums to Hidden Beach."

Since breaking onto the scene with the double-platinum selling Who Is Jill Scott? album in 2000, Ms Scott's studio albums have generated millions in revenue.

Hidden Beach's alleged damages remain unspecified, but under California law they could total several million dollars.

Mr McKeever said he paid Ms Scott generous advances when he was not required to, allowed her to keep merchandising revenue and paid a large sum of money to fund a concert DVD that the singer later asked not be released.

"Hidden Beach feels that Jill Scott is an incredibly talented artist," the company's lawyer, Lawrence Hinkle, said.

"No one regrets that this lawsuit had to be filed more than Hidden Beach, but its hands were tied and it had no other option."

Ms Scott was unavailable to comment.