Lauryn Hill is one of the best and most well rounded artists that has emerged from Hip-Hop. The New Jersey native, once a member of the Multi-Platinum certified group The Fugees, stood proudly not only for the culture of Hip-Hop as a whole but became a celebratory symbol for women around the world. For more than a decade, Hill remained predominantly out of the spotlight, only making appearances here and there, most notably with her performance with fellow Fugees Wyclef Jean and Pras at Dave Chappelle’s “Block Party” in New York City. Many hoped that this return would have been a permanent one, manifesting into new recorded material. However, Ms. Hill continued to only make sporadic appearances as the media published unsettling accusations about her personal life. In 2010 she released the track “Repercussions” and more recently toured with Nas. The artist has now unveiled a new song titled “Neurotic Society”, which is available on iTunes. Hill, who has launched a new record label through Sony, states that this release was rushed due to deadlines. The song is a commentary that touches on political and religious affairs as well as the current morale of today’s society. She also set the record straight about her current financial and music situation via her Tumblr page. Here is what she had to say:

Hello All:

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

Buy Lauryn Hill’s “Neurotic Society” on iTunes

It has been reported that I signed a new record deal, and that I did this to pay taxes. Yes, I have recently entered into an agreement with Sony Worldwide Entertainment, to launch a new label, on which my new music will be released. And yes, I am working on new music.

I’ve remained silent, after an extensive healing process. This has been a 10+ year battle, for a long time played out behind closed doors, but now in front of the public eye. This is an old conflict between art and commerce… free minds, and minds that are perhaps overly tethered to structure. This is about inequity, and the resulting disenfranchisement caused by it. I’ve been fighting for existential and economic freedom, which means the freedom to create and live without someone threatening, controlling, and/or manipulating the art and the artist, by tying the purse strings.

It took years for me to get out of the ‘parasitic’ dynamic of my youth, and into a deal that better reflects my true contribution as an artist, and (purportedly) gives me the control necessary to create a paradigm suitable for my needs. I have been working towards this for a long time, not just because of my current legal situation, but because I am an artist, I love to create, and I need the proper platform to do so.

The nature of my new business venture, as well as the dollar amount reported, was inaccurate, only a portion of the overall deal. Keep in mind, my past recordings have sold over 50,000,000 units worldwide, earning the label a tremendous amount of money (a fraction of which actually came to me).

Only a completely complicated set of traps, manipulations, and inequitable business arrangements could put someone who has accomplished the things that I have, financially in need of anything. I am one artist who finds value in openly discussing the dynamics within this industry that force artists to compromise or distort themselves and what they do, rather than allowing them to make the music that people need. There are volumes that could (and will) be said.

MLH