Lauryn Hill has offered up an "open letter" to explain why she didn't pay her taxes and reveal her plans for new musiuc. Read the letter inside and see Drake on "American Idol" and Snoop Lion on "The Late Show".
We told you previously that Lauryn Hill has been given some extra time to pay off her massive tax bill and that she'll be releasing new music. Now, Lauryn has taken to her Tumblr page to bring fans up to speed on why she hasn't paid off her taxes and why you shouldn't believe that her new record deal was worth a reported $1 million.
During her verbose rant, she lays out a politically astute explanation about not making music (the conflict between art & commerce) and for not paying her taxes (the record company made the bulk of the money and left her in financial need). This chick has more excuses than a lil bit.
One thing's for sure, her letter shows she still has what it takes to pack a punch with her words. We just hope the new music and her singing voice as still up to par.
Here's the letter:
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
Girl...pay those taxes...
And on "American Idol":
Drake made a surprise appearance on "American Idol" last night to offer some words of encouragement to one of his biggest fans, finalist Candace Glover. In response to Candance's performance of his "Find Your Love" song, he told her, "You have an angelic voice. I almost wish you were there in the studio creating it with me. I feel like we could have brought it to life together."
The appearance was hooked up by Drake's labelmate, "Idol" judge Nicki Minaj. Drizzy later tweeted, @NICKIMINAJ is an incredible person for setting that up. Love you always. Thank you!”
And on "The Late Show":
Snoop Lion hit the stage with his daughter Cori B. to perform their anti-gun violence track "No Guns Allowed" on "The Late Show with David Letterman." The song appears on Snoop's Reincarnated disc. How cute is this father-daughter duo?!