What's the story behind them replacing Jill?
"When The Roots brought "You Got Me" to MCA in August 1998, the chorus featured the voice of a relatively unknown Philly spoken-word artist and singer named Jill Scott. She wrote the song along with songwriter Scott Storch, and when The Roots heard the result, they knew they had a hit. But The Roots claim MCA was stuck on Roots manager Rich Nichols earlier recommendation made before "You Got Me" was ever written that Badu sing vocals on a lead single. So, according to Trotter, the label "strongly, strongly suggested" that Scotts vocals be re-sung by Badu. The Roots complied, asking Badu to sing the part that Scott had written.
But after the revision, lyricist Trotter, drummer and producer Thompson and manager Nichols all agreed that Scotts version was far superior. "Erykahs my people, but theres no way she can even approximate Jills version, because Jill was the creator," says Trotter. "The record as you know it still doesnt compare to the original version with Jill singing."
The Roots wanted to release the original Jill Scott version, but they say that MCA insisted on using Badu for her star power, regardless of which version The Roots liked better. "We wanted to add some name value to it, to make it more successful," explains a current MCA employee who wishes to remain anonymous. "We wanted them to actually have a hit." Indeed, conventional wisdom at the time held that The Roots needed a hit to avoid being dropped from the label."
full story
Things Falling Apart?