Jill Scott and Brent Faiyaz Take Divergent Paths in R&B

Two albums released the same day offer opposing visions of artistic advancement in the genre.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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R&B artists Jill Scott and Brent Faiyaz have released new albums on the same day, showcasing contrasting approaches to serving their audiences. Jill Scott's "To Whom This May Concern" is the latest in her long-running exploration of self-improvement and personal growth, staying true to her established creative identity. In contrast, Brent Faiyaz's "ICON" represents a dramatic shift away from his previous persona as an R&B "pickup artist" towards a more polished, romantic sound in an attempt to broaden his appeal.

Why it matters

The divergent paths taken by these two R&B artists highlight the different ways musicians can evolve and connect with their fans. While Jill Scott has built a loyal following by staying true to her unique artistic vision, Brent Faiyaz's dramatic reinvention raises questions about the balance between creative growth and maintaining an authentic persona.

The details

Jill Scott's "To Whom This May Concern" is described as her most explicit self-help manifesto yet, continuing her career-long exploration of personal transformation and empowerment through soulful, poetic music. In contrast, Brent Faiyaz's "ICON" represents a stark departure from his previous style, as he enlists producer Raphael Saadiq to help him pivot towards a more polished, romantic R&B sound in an apparent attempt to broaden his appeal beyond his "toxic" persona.

  • Jill Scott's "To Whom This May Concern" and Brent Faiyaz's "ICON" were both released on the same day.
  • Brent Faiyaz recently turned 30 years old.

The players

Jill Scott

A neo-soul matriarch whose early spoken-word work was featured on collaborations with The Roots, Jill Scott has built a loyal following over a 25-year career by staying true to her unique creative identity and exploring themes of personal growth and empowerment.

Brent Faiyaz

A Maryland-based R&B singer who has earned a reputation in the 2020s for his blunt, dismissive lyrics and "pickup artist" persona, Brent Faiyaz has now dramatically reinvented his sound and image in an apparent attempt to become a more mainstream R&B "lover boy".

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What they’re saying

“I want it to feel like there's a void when it's over, where the silence is too loud and either you're going to get up and do something or you're going to start the record over. You're going to really think about where you are and if it's what you actually want.”

— Jill Scott, Artist (T magazine)

“This is probably the most disciplined I've ever been in my life, personally and creatively.”

— Brent Faiyaz (Flaunt magazine)

The takeaway

The contrasting approaches of Jill Scott and Brent Faiyaz demonstrate that artists can evolve and connect with audiences in different ways - either by staying true to an established creative identity or by dramatically reinventing their sound and persona. Both strategies have merits, and the success of each will depend on how well the artists are able to authentically engage with their fans.