Lauryn Hill was sentenced to three months in prison and three additional months of house arrest In Newark for failing to pay taxes on about $1 million in earnings. The Legendary Singer and Rapper recently penned a new deal and launched a new label with Sony Music to pay off her debt and Her Attorney Nathan Hochman said in an email Monday that Lauryn had recently paid more than $970,000 in order to settle her tax debt. But, I guess the Judge saw it as too little, too late! It’s uncertain when she is scheduled to begin her new sentence. But, Our Prayers are with her and her children and hopefully that time will breeze by quickly.

Lauryn Hill has released a new record after all the court drama has calmed a bit. And, while I can’t say I really like this song..I love me some Lauryn Hill to pieces! And maybe the next song will strike a chord with me. In the mean time, listen below! Maybe you will love it.

It was recently reported that Lauryn Hills Tax Evasion sentencing had been pushed back and that she had a brand new million dollar deal with Sony Music. However, Ms. Lauryn Hill has written an open letter saying that number is inaccurate and that’s only a portion of her deal.  She also says that this deal hasn’t just come about due to financial problems, but has been a long time plan that has been in process for quite awhile. Read her full open letter below:

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.

Lauryn Hill was scheduled to be sentenced for tax evasion today but the sentencing has been pushed back for two more weeks. And, according to TMZ it was revealed that Lauryn Hill has now signed a new lucrative million dollar deal with her former label, Sony with intent to take out a $650,000 loan to pay off the $968,000 tax debt. Yikes, a mouthful right? Well, Ms. Hill is in our prayers and we hope that she will come out on top in this situation as well as with her deal with Sony. She has definitely been missed in the music industry and we definitly don’t want to see such a beautiful talented sister locked down for the several years in prison she could be facing for a mistake. Especially not as a mother of six children, keep her in your prayers and stay tuned for more details.

Lauryn Hill is scheduled to not only release a new single entitled ‘Black Rage’ this fall but also tour with Nas on a ‘Life Is Good/Black Rage’ Tour. According to Rap Up, Lauryn Hills ‘Black Rage’ song about the effects of racism and inequality. The tour will kick off with the two of them on October 29th.

Tour Dates
Oct. 29 – Dallas, TX – Palladium Ballroom
Oct. 31 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center
Nov. 2 – Atlanta, GA – Tabernacle
Nov. 4 – Washington, DC – DAR Constitution Hall
Nov. 7 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory
Nov. 11 – Boston, MA – House of Blues
Nov. 14 – Chicago, IL – Congress Theatre
Nov. 16 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium
Nov. 17 – Magna, UT – Salt Air
Nov. 19 – Oakland, CA – Fox Oakland Theater

Lauryn Hill performed “If I Ruled The World” with Nas this past sunday at The annual Rock the Bells Festival as it wrapped up at the at the PNC Bank Arts Center in New Jersey. It’s safe to say they’re magic on stage together. Check out the video footage from the performance below:

Lauryn Hill recently rocked the stage at Hot 97s Summer Jam with Nas. Shortly there after, it was reported that a judgement was being made against Ms. Hill for not filing her taxes. Lauryn Hill issued a statement explaining her break from the industry and how it effected her being able to file her taxes. She talked about how the manipulation and corruption of the industry, as well as not being appropriately compensated caused her to walk away from the Insustry not only for her own peace of mind, but the safety and well being of her children. She says she did not deliberately abandon her fans nor her responsibilities. But like any good mother would do, She chose to put her children first before any material or external things. Lauryn says she was already in the process of rectifying her tax situation but they didn’t find her reasons to be good enough. So, they still pursued action against her. Well, all in all we know Lauryn will get this straightened out. And, we wish her and her family nothing but happiness. Read her full statement here: http://mslaurynhill.tumblr.com/