Photo Credit: GGD x Marcellous Lovelace x Blues Babe
A series exploring the visual art tied to music
The woman is exposed, totally unaware of who faces her. She’s naked, but covered in thoughts, ideas, and beliefs. The phrases inscribed across her face and body are proclamations. Mantras like “I’m Free,” “Your rules are nothing,” and “I am my own body,” shield her like armor.
“Don’t look to be expected” is scratched along the rim of her earrings, a set of never-ending loops hanging heavy—representing spiritual weights she no longer has to carry. “We fight” is etched again and again across her gold collarbone necklace.
In an interview with Sway in the Morning, Jill Scott disclosed, “She represents how I see myself on the inside.”
The cover for To Whom This May Concern was painted by Marcellous Lovelace, a visual artist and muralist based in Chicago. Scott mentioned that she had been searching for the right album visual for a long time. She found Lovelace’s work on Instagram and reached out via DM.
Scott told Sway, “The album… it’s free in so many ways. I wanted to express what that looked like. And I looked for representatives… I saw the work and I was like, ‘There she is! There she is!’… I was so happy to see her.”
Photo Credit: GGD x Marcellous Lovelace x Blues Babe
The interesting thing about the cover’s text is that it’s written in all caps; demanding and affirming what’s hers. And it’s also not obvious. Most of the statements require you to lean in, to be willing to notice. You have to truly care. You have to want to pay attention to her in a genuine way.
And if not? Keep it moving. She won’t mind.
Lovelace has described the intention behind his artwork, stating, “My works are always about something building positivity and what’s important, because the world we live is so negative and unimportant. Coming from a world of police brutality and racism stands a Man who is not afraid to be exactly who he is all the time regardless of who it affects. If it is Political or Reality I’m going to paint it just as it is. My imagination allows me the freedom to live in Actual Facts.”
Based on her facial expression, the woman Lovelace has created is living in freedom, and sits in joy. She is not weak, just willing to be vulnerable. She’s gazing to the left, focused on whatever has caught her attention, unbothered by who is looking at her directly, now or later, or even why. Careful, but not scared. She knows she’s spiritually covered.
The album’s title, To Whom This May Concern, floats above her like a halo, hovering, crowning, addressing whoever feels entitled to judge. It doesn’t actually matter who’s looking or even why. She’s worthy. She is enough.
In 2000, her mysterious debut album cover asked,”Who Is Jill Scott?” Fast forward to 2026, and she’s still here, telling us there’s more to discover. Reminding us that joy is a kind of resistance. That it’s your birthright.
She’s not contorting herself to fit harmful standards. She’s not adjusting according to who or what is watching. When you’re authentic and living brave enough to be yourself, the seasons may change, the audience may shift, but you don’t have to. Not unless you want to.
Like “Pressha,” a song on the album with it’s own amazing artwork, suggests: you can relax. You don’t have to be agreeable. You don’t have to operate out of performative kindness or a constant need to please.
At the bottom of the album cover is greenery, grass, leaves, maybe even the stalks of a flower. If the halo-like title signals her worth, and how worthy we all are, the greenery symbolizes growth. This woman is constantly evolving, exploring.
To Whom This May Concern is Scott’s first studio album in over a decade. “I think music is medicinal,” Scott told the JBP Podcast. Pouring into herself is the real wealth. It’s how she expands, heals, and stays rooted, standing tall in her own garden.
And we all can.
Even if you don’t end up listening to a single track or watch her glorious Tiny Desk concert, the visual art for To Whom This May Concern invites you to invite yourself into a life of freedom and authenticity.
Cover Story is a series highlighting artwork tied to music. What album visuals would you like to learn about next?
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