It looks like a tax bill and the threat of imprisonment has put the fire under Ms. Lauryn Hill's tush and finally got her releasing music. This isn't just speculation on my part; she's pretty much said so on her Tumblr page;
Hello All:Oh well, at least she's also managed to get her own label, Observe Creation Music, out of the new deal with Sony. One that will ultimately see the record label help to pay her tax bill on the promise she delivers a new album- notably, her first since 2002's troubled but brilliant MTV Unplugged set. With her track record of releasing music, I'm not holding my breath that this will end well.
Here is a link to a piece that I was ‘required’ to release immediately, by virtue of the impending legal deadline. I love being able to reach people directly, but in an ideal scenario, I would not have to rush the release of new music… but the message is still there. In light of Wednesday’s tragic loss (of former label mate Chris Kelly), I am even more pressed to YELL this to a multitude that may not understand the cost of allowing today’s unhealthy paradigms to remain unchecked!
- MLH
The track itself is a compelling one, with the Fugees songstress spitting her unique brand of socio-political rhymes over an unconventional (for her), and weaker by comparison to its content, electronic beat. The song is probably not going to grab anyone with the production or structure- missing a hook, or bridge- but for the more dedicated a listener, the lyric and Lauryn's (slightly paranoid) conviction makes for riveting listening.
Even though Ms. Hill is putting out music against her will, or at least before feeling it's ready, I have to say that the timing of this return couldn't be better. As of right now the top 40 female emcees are representing a style of rap that focuses more on image and sales than lyrical content; offering a distorted picture, to the young'uns especially, of what a female rapper can and should be. If Lauryn can get herself together, embracing the bind she's in, there's every chance she could offer a viable alternative to this, ever so slightly soul-crushing, archetype.
God knows we need it! Check out Neurotic Society (Compulsory Mix) below.
And some "classic" Lauryn!
Thoughts?
As the biggest Lauryn Hill fan on the fzceofthis earth, I'm glad she is back, even if it is against her will. This woman has been through a lot and she has no issue conveying the message. The instrumentation and the rapping didn't mesh well at all which is that Lauryn Hill flare. I just wish she could have layed down some of those mezzo-soprano vocals...
ReplyDeleteBut then again, some of her coachella performances shows that her voice has deteriated quite a bit. However in others it sounds as if she has darkened and sweetened with age. I wish her dark period would end. And lawd please let her bring back k r&b, meaningful rap, and most important, reggae fusion..
She has a message to portray and this is what I'm so excited about. I hope for some real music from her. I Aldo need to state that although I like the message of the song, I don't like the song itself. Too bad they rushed her to get it out.
Saw this woman in concert once over a decade ago. Walked out middle of the third song. Would have walked out after the first tune but was with someone who wanted to give her a little more leeway. But she too had enough by that third song.
ReplyDeleteNo real connection with her audience whasoever. Just strutted across the stage with an ''I'm All That'' attitude. Didn't seem to put much of an effort into her vocals and didn't even know what city she was in.
UGH! I hope no artist takes her as an example. Give me honest superficiality over that kind of attitude anyday.
I remember when she lost it on stage. I was devastated. She then release a horrible album and fell off the map. I hope these 10 plus years have done her a favor but I still have a feeling that her story will alienate and disconnect her from her long waited fans... I'm just worried. I still have high hopes though.
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt in my mind that she is talented, but my main issue with her was how naively she fell into colt life. Got all mixed up and hated the world for no apparently valid reason apart from what a fool stated to her. I was just confused as to how a woman who writes intricate and brilliant raps was so naive to fall for the colt life.
Well, her recent interviews suggest that she has changed but she just seems paranoid and crazy on them. I don't know what to say for her. Lol.
You lost me...what's "colt life''?
ReplyDeleteI just looked her up on Wikipedia as I was wondering what you were referring to with her ''going through a lot'' but didn't see any particular hardship ther.
Got the impression she comes from middle class normal home and got succesful in what she was desiring to be succesfull at rather young and easily.
But I guess we all have our own definitions of such matters. :-)
I've always found Lauryn a bit overrated, but I do like her cover of "Killing Me Softly With His Song"
ReplyDeleteWhen Lauryn became dissatisfied with her label, she began going to a church where she studied the bible 5 days a week. The thing that didn't ad up to me was that her behavior was so inexplicably disorderly from someone who studies the bible. Not to say living s bible life, means one must act angelic, but she fellowshiped with a christian leader who was a bit eccentric in his teachings. It was more colt like than anything. Not to try and justify Lauryn's actions, but he was an influence to her behavior. She failed under her own poor judgment.
ReplyDeleteAnd indeed, she came from an upper of middle echelon income family of nothing but raw talent. Your points are beyond valid and I understand why you have a distaste for her. I hope she has learned some hard lessons. My issue with her is that, she can't justify being mad at the world when the world was the same prior to her being born. I wonder does she struggle accepting the fact that this is a harsh reality she lives in.
She is a hard to please person who wants what she wants when she wants, how she wants, and no one should question how she wants it. I don't see her as humble tbh. I believe that is why she and the music industry clashed the way she did. Lol I could talk about that all day. I think Lauryn Hill's story is an interesting one.
Did I state too much to just to state I agree with you?
Not too much at all. All info is good. :-)
ReplyDeleteThough this info maybe 'good' only in the general sense. Not in regards to improving my idea of Hill. Rather the opposite.
Certainly being mad at the world seem hard to justify. She needs a reality check if that's how she feels.
But I can see the interesting aspect of someone with outwardly little reason for anger, resentment and dissatisfaction to never the less feel like that. It does make one wonder wtf is going on there?
Anyway, interesting read as your post was...still unclear what ''colt'' means/refers to? ;-D
I'll go and check it out. :-)
ReplyDeleteA link for your convenience http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KpeCk6NyZU :)
ReplyDeleteLol too late! Just listened to thatt one. Gave my opinion above with a link for your convenience as well.
ReplyDeleteHere's the other link to ''The Voice'' singing the same song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAiUHV_Fs0k&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Found the answer..it's definitely Como singing.
ReplyDeleteI agree, I do "like" it, but like is a broad ranging term for me. I'd give it a 6 or 7 as well, it pales to the other renditions you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteI hope the rest of her album is better than this, I really like her old works.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, she lives 30 minutes from me! I have a friend who actually knows her and he says she's quite a smart woman.
Yes, she may be talented but her attitude leaves a lot to be desired. For example having been sentenced to jail for refusing to pay her taxes she compares her situation to that of slavery....personally I think that is just crass, on the lowest possible level! She needs to get her over-inflated ego in check..
ReplyDeletehttp://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a479082/lauryn-hill-given-three-months-in-prison-for-tax-evasion.html
I'm convinced Lauryn is suffering from a mental illness and I say that with all seriousness. It's almost as if she's likening tax evasion to some form of civil disobedience.
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly!
ReplyDelete@ Mel @ Stuey don't know enough about her to say what is really the issue but she displays some of the hallmarks of narcissistic personality disorder.
ReplyDeleteThe over inflated ego. That idea of not paying taxes being some kind of grandios battle. The display of that sense of entitlement.
But ...if you've seen the behavior and heard the rant of Michelle Shocked recently...Lauryn seems a positive paragon of sanity lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL-8kSj7TtY&feature=youtube_gdata_player
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/02/michelle-shocked-anti-gay-rant-_n_2999756.html
I have never heard of Michelle Shocked before but she is clearly screwed up. I mean how the hell can you spout all that tripe then claim to not be homophobic! Clearly fame and fortune clouds the judgement of some to the point they think they are untouchable...
ReplyDeleteIf you find it throw it in my direction! :)
ReplyDeleteI found it on her myspace but it won't play on my tablet. Maybe it will for you though. It's the one called Prodigal Daughter ( Cotton Eye Joe)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.myspace.com/mshocked/music/songs/prodigal-daughter-67228693
I am impressed! But mostly with Krauss ;) something about the tone of her voice is just so mmmmmm!
ReplyDeleteLol yes, that's how I feel. Butt I also love the tone of her fiddling and she does a fair bit of that as well on there. :-)
ReplyDeleteGeez, I honestly don't get what she was trying to accomplish with his spiel besides cementing herself as an overzealous, crazed religious fanatic.
ReplyDeleteDeath of her career maybe. ;-D
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