Jill Scott Kicks off Block Party Tour at Jones Beach

For a woman who has worked every job from construction to retail, success did not come easy for Jill Scott.  When she began making recordings, they weren't even songs; they were spoken word poetry. 

Scott will be kicking off her 16-city U.S. tour Thursday evening at in Wantagh.

Scott did poetry readings exclusively until she was discovered by the Roots, who gave her the big break she needed when they performed a song she co-wrote, "I Got You," with Erykah Badu in 2000.  After the song won a Grammy, Scott parlayed it into collaborations with Eric Benet, Will Smith, and Common.

That's when her career first took shape, but it is now, at the age of 39, that the newly svelte, Philadelphia born R & B singer seems to be transforming into a superstar.  Her new album, "The Light of the Sun," is her first to reach #1 on the billboard charts and her songs "Shame" and "So In Love" have been among the most commercially and critically successful singles of her career.

Along with the successful album comes an ambitious "Summer Block Party" tour, a concept she borrowed from comedian Dave Chappelle, whose "Block Party" movie included an appearance by her.  Scott will headline with "So In Love" collaborator Anthony Hamilton, 80's favorite Doug E. Fresh, former Will Smith running mate DJ Jazzy Jeff, and 90's R & B stars Mint Condition as supporting acts. 

For more info or to purchase tickets, visit livenation.com.