By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
It's official.
After months of rumors and speculation, The BV Newswire has confirmed that Jill Scott is headed to splitsville.
The two-time Grammy Award winning neo-soul powerhouse is "going through divorce proceedings" with her longtime lover and husband of five years Lyzel Williams, an insider confirmed.
The two were married in the fall of 2001 during a private Hawaiin ceremony during a vacation.
Williams, who, at the time, was a much an in-demand graphic artist and DJ, dated Scott for seven years before the nuptials took place.
"We went to the club, we hung out, we danced, we shook it up, we drank, we partied," she spoke of Williams in an interview with 'Launch' in 2001. "But we also went to carnivals, and we took long walks. I enjoyed his company so much. I'm glad I can say I'm such, so resoundingly blessed to have him in my life."
He was the source of inspiration for many of her compositions, notably the fan favorite 'He Loves Me (Lyzel In E Flat)' -- which has been reinterpreted by gospel powerhouse Karen Clark-Sheard, and sang onstage by Beyonce Knowles.
Scott concluded a two-night stint at "Verizon Presents Two Nights of Soul" at New York City's Radio City Music Hall last night. The bill also included Robin Thicke and Chaka Khan.
During her near 90-minute set, the newly svelte "legend in the making" (as the evening's emcee Mo'Nique called her) seemed to stuggle through material, skipping songs from the repertoire, and even not remembering the words to her breakout hit, 'Getting in the Way.' She changed the words to 'He Loves Me' to 'You Love Me,' which was performed with an operatic vibratto that sent the audience into a frenzy.
Considered her best friend, Williams became hands-on in Scott's career management, along with her then bodyguard Bill Brown.
Her bookings are being handled by the William Morris Agency, and she is reportedly self-managed.
The 35-year-old North Philadelphia native has a new song, the groovey, hip-hop-tinged manifesto 'Hate on Me,' that has surfaced online, and is expected to tell the story of her divorce in an upcoming cover story for 'Essence' magazine. Scott just wrapped filming Tyler Perry's upcoming movie 'Why Did I Get Married,' which will also star Janet Jackson.
Scott's current publicist Chris Chambers -- who also reps Usher -- said her new album should be expected by the fall.
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1. I'm sorry to hear about Jill divorce if anyone can get through this it's Jill scott. She is uplifting and positive soul. Jill has gotten me through many rough patches just by listening to her music. By the way Jill if you read this you tore the house down at radio city music hall Wednesday it was a great show as usual. This is my fourth time seeing you in concert, and I will be back for a fifth when you come back to NYC keep your head up Jill.
LISA at 1:31PM on Jun 15th 2007