Watch Jill Scott Accept Her Billboard R&B Hall of Fame Induction: ‘This Is a Testament to Yes’

Take it from Jill Scott : Her illustrious career, a multi-decade calling packed with hits, accolades and acclaim across the spectrum, boils down to one word: Yes.

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1 as ‘Pressha’ Rules Adult R&B Airplay Inducted into the Billboard R&B Hall of Fame on Wednesday (Sept.

9) by Trevor Anderson, Billboard ’s senior charts and data analyst for R&B/hip-hop, the award-winning singer-songwriter reflected to the audience at Ludlow House in New York City how her esteemed career began with a simple yet powerful decision: “This is a testament to yes,” she began.

“Many years ago, I had someone hurt my feelings.

I wrote a poem — it made me feel better.

I shared it, and my girlfriend said go read it at a poetry reading, and I said yes.” That final word evolved into a refrain throughout the superstar’s acceptance speech, an accompaniment for every step of her life’s work.

When she was invited to another poetry reading? Yes.

Her first offered acting gig? Yes.

And when Questlove asked her to write her first hook, despite no experience? Yes.

That moment, when Scott co-penned The Roots ‘ Grammy-winning single “You Got Me,” kickstarted the philosophy that has carried her through the years.

“Yes is scary, yes is thrilling and my precious career has proven to me, when the soul says yes, the juice is worth the squeeze.” And when it comes to R&B talent, to extend the metaphor, Scott’s cup runneth over.

In her career, the Grammy Award-winner has landed nine top 10 albums on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and placed 17 top 10s on the Adult R&B Airplay list — including five No.

1s.