My Lauryn Hill Rant: A Quick Thought

Alright. I'll make this brief.

For context of this post, see here.

Let me begin by stating that I am an absolute fan of Lauryn Hill's music, work, and energy. She moves with more honesty and passion than just about any other artist in my catalog.

Lauryn's withdraw from visible performance and recording soon after the release of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is a well documented event. The clamor for a sophomore solo effort was deafening, especially after her record-breaking five Grammy wins back in 1999 (the most in a single ceremony for a female artist). Much to her distaste, she was quickly becoming an incredibly valued musical commodity and in 2000 retracted from the public eye in self-imposed exile.

Since her resurfacing in 2001 on MTV: Unplugged and the short-lived Fugees reunion soon after their performance on Dave Chappelle's Block Party in 2004, Lauryn has taken the stage in a number of venues across the globe to begin the rediscovery of her life as a performer. However, there have been several accounts of bizzare and unprofessional behavior from Ms. Hill that have begun to alienate even her most die-hard supporters.

A close friend of mine attended one of her shows in Michigan shortly after the release of her Unplugged album. Apparently, she appeared on stage 90 minutes late and played her guitar as if she wanted to strangle it while belting the lyrics of her set for about 40 minutes. When she was done, she tossed the instrument away from her and snorted, "There!" as she plodded off stage. The crowd was left with a feeling of complete befuddlement. This type of instability and inconsistency has been Lauryn's modus operandi for the last decade of her musical career (see the San Francisco Chronicle here, and this article from OnTheRedCarpet.com) and there doesn't seem to be any sign of change on the horizon.

Furthermore, let's consider the new interpretations we've witnessed of her established work, namely the Miseducation... playlist. Now, I'm all for artistic experimentation. There would be no truly good art if we didn't continuously dance on the boundary of what's brilliant and what's utter cow dung. In fact, many times when I see Lauryn do these funk/rock/soul re-imaginings of her work, I really do get down with some of it. But at best they feel like fleeting strokes brilliance; stars burning brightly with short lifespan. They have nowhere near the sense of spine, grounding, and stability of her late 1990s stuff.

And no, she should definitely not be performing "Ex-Factor" in 2011 the same way she did in 1999. She's a different person now, and the music should be different. However, there is a very acute and palpable abrasive/combative quality to her performances now that seems to have no balance; no converse. So I can understand why people sometimes boo her at shows nowadays. They feel they're being attacked, and I would venture to say they are.

As I've watched and listened to Lauryn these past eight or nine years, I can't help but believe that she doesn't really want to be performing anymore. It's difficult for me to find an instance in which I can be certain Lauryn is having fun on stage. She still seems like a person in exile, as if exile could be a public experience. If that's true, and Lauryn isn't really enjoying her career as a performer, she should simply stop doing it immediately. Seriously. I know I wouldn't be upset, nor would any of her fans who actually cared about her psychological and spiritual health. Before everything else, she should consider exactly what she needs to take care of herself.

Of course we would miss her and talk about where we were when we first heard Miseducation... and how it changed our lives. But our memories would last a lifetime, and there's nothing anyone could say or do to taint our love for Lauryn. I hope she knows that.

peace.

My Lauryn Hill Rant: The Set-Up

So, you know Lauryn Hill is one of the headliners for Rock the Bells this year, right? Here's a quick video of her discussing her defining solo effort The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

About a year ago I was watching videos of live Lauryn shows that have occurred in the last three or four years. What I saw wasn't adding up, so I tracked down some word-of-mouth from people who had seen her live recently for some context. Everything I saw and heard led me to a conclusion about Lauryn's work that was incredibly difficult. While we take in this video, I'll compose my conclusion for your reading pleasure over the next couple of days.

Some of you won't like what I have to say.

peace.

"...a regular modern-day Shakespeare."

Check it:

from Henry V, Act IV Prologue

written by William Shakespeare

Now entertain conjecture of a time (10 syllables)

When creeping murmur and the pouring dark (10 syllables)

Fills the wide vessel of the universe. (10 syllables)

From camp to camp through the foul womb of night (10 syllables)

The hum of either army stilly sounds, (10 syllables)

That the fixed sentinels almost receive (10 syllables)

The secret whispers of each others' watch: (10 syllables)

Fire answers Fire, and through their paly flames (10 syllables)

Each battle sees the other's umber'd face; (10 syllables)

Steed threatens steed, in high and boastful neighs (10 syllables)

Piercing the night's dull ear, and from the tents (10 syllables)

The armorers, accomplishing the knights, (10 syllables)

With busy hammers closing rivets up, (10 syllables)

Give dreadful note of preparation: (10 syllables: preparation has four)

The country cocks do crow, the clocks do toll, (10 syllables)

And the third hour of drowsy morning name. (10 syllables: hour has one)

Proud of their numbers and secure in soul, (10 syllables)

The confident and over-lusty French (10 syllables)

Do the low-rated English play at dice; (10 syllables)

Follow me?

Good. Now check this:

from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Track 2: "Lost Ones"

written by Lauryn Hill

It's funny how money change a situation, (12 syllables)

Miscommunication leads to complication. (12 syllables)

My emancipation don't fit your equation. (12 syllables)

I was on the humble, you on every station. (12 syllables)

Some wan' play young Lauryn like she dumb, (9 syllables)

But remember not a game new under the sun; (12 syllables)

Everything you did has already been done (11 syllables)

I know all the tricks from Bricks to Kingston. (10 syllables)

My ting done made your kingdom wan' run. (9 syllables)

Now understand L Boogie not violent, (10 syllables)

But if a thing test me, run for me gun; (10 syllables)

Can't take a threat to me new born son. (9 syllables)

L's been this way since creation. (8 syllables)

A groupie call, you fall from temptation, (10 syllables)

Now you wanna ball over separation; (11 syllables)

Tarnish my image in your conversation, (11 syllables)

Who you gonna scrimmage like you the champion? (11 syllables)

You might win some but you just lost one. (9 syllables)

One reason Lauryn shifts the syllable count is because she moves in and out of two different dialects in this verse. (There are instances of Shakespeare doing something similar. This simply isn't one of them. Have a look at Leontes' rants from The Winter's Tale.) But more than that, she probably moved it around to entertain herself. Nevertheless, the structural foundations are exactly the same. I've always been fascinated with this particular verse for this very reason. And even though I've observed this in other hip hop tracks, Lauryn's writing on this particular cut highlights these structural similarities exceptionally well.

Here, have a listen.

peace.