Lauryn Hill Opens Up To NPR

Published: Tuesday 29th Jun 2010 by Trent

The elusive Lauryn Hill did a rare interview with NPR recently. The music icon spoke candidly about a wide range of topics including why she hasn’t released new music in quite some time and why she finally decided to return to the stage. Peep what Hill had to say below:

On why she stopped releasing music:

“There were a number of different reasons,” she says. “But partly, the support system that I needed was not necessarily in place. There were things about myself, personal-growth things, that I had to go through in order to feel like it was worth it. In fact, as musicians and artists, it’s important we have an environment — and I guess when I say environment, I really mean the [music] industry, that really nurtures these gifts. Oftentimes, the machine can overlook the need to take care of the people who produce the sounds that have a lot to do with the health and well-being of society, or at least some aspect of society. And it’s important that people be given the time that they need to go through, to grow, so that the consciousness level of the general public is properly affected.  Oftentimes, I think people are forced to make decisions prematurely. And then that sound radiates.”On her new singing technique:

On her singing technique:

“I’m trying to open up my range and really sing more,” she says. “With The Fugees initially, and even with Miseducation, it was very hip-hop — always a singing over beats. I don’t think people have really heard me sing out. So if I do record again, perhaps it will have an expanded context. Where people can hear a bit more.”

On her return to the stage:

“I don’t know if you know this, but I have five children,” she says. “The youngest is 2 now, so she’s old enough that I can leave her for a period of time and know she’s going to be OK. That’s one reason [Hill is starting to perform again]. And I think it’s just time. I’m starting to get excited again. Believe it or not, I think what people are attracted to about me, if anything, is my passion. People got exposed to my passion through music and song first. I think people might realize, you know, ‘We love the way she sounds, we love the music, but I think we just love how fearless she is. How boundless she is, when it comes to what she wants to do.’ And I think that can be infectious.” {Source}

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  1. royalkev June 29, 2010

    Well, I guess this is a good thing. I’ll look out for something new!

  2. Paulann7326 June 29, 2010

    Oh my God, I’m shaking with excitement! I’ll be SO thrilled if Lauryn records again. Her unique style has really been missing. I think there’s more to why she’s been out because the last time I saw her I thought she might be mentally ill. That’s her business, I’m just glad she seems well now and ready to give us music again. I can hardly wait!

  3. DOB June 29, 2010

    Miseducation is a classic and now it’s been 12 years since her last studio album. Expectations are going to be so high! Hope she can even come close to meeting them. I love Lauryn!

  4. DANBOFFICIAL (AALIYAH/XTINA/RIHANNA) (STAN) June 29, 2010

    someone tell this b**** to shut up and get back in the music studio.

    And please sort that s***** ass hair out Lauryn……we know your making enough money to sort that bush out on top of your scraggly ass head, so do somthin about it sweetie.

    follow me on twitter you s*** beautiful b******
    http://twitter.com/TheOnlyone92

    *WHO OWNS THE THRONE?*

    *YOU DO MOMMY!*

  5. FreshUrbanEnt June 29, 2010

    YEP SHE IS GOING TO BE RECORDING A NEW ALBUM. I THINK PEOPLE SHOULDN’T EXPECT A MISEDUCATION PRT 2 CUS THT WAS OVER A DECADE AGO. I WELCOME THE NEW LAURNY BACK AND HOPE SHE MAKES SOME GOOD MUSIC.

    CHECK OUT MY NEW ENTERTAINMENT SITE >>> http://WWW.FRESHURBANENT.CO.UK

  6. bjksolo June 29, 2010

    WOW CAN’T WAIT 4 MS. HILL 2 C** BACK AND TAKE OVA THE GAME!!!!!!!!!!!
    ===========================================================
    #TEAM CIARA!!!

  7. Armon June 29, 2010

    Lauryn Is what the industry needs!!! I cant wait!!!

  8. MaiPearl June 29, 2010

    Lauryn please come back because there is “NO REAL MUSIC” out there now and besides Sade’s CD’s earlier this year music is ass. So call artist Beyonce, Ne-yo, Trey Songz , Chris Brown , Rhinana, Usher and I could go on and but if u go to a concert u might as well stay at home and listen to their CD’s. No singing “Live” anymore.

  9. C June 29, 2010

    Heard it all before, I’ll believe it when I’m listening to new material

  10. Blasian June 29, 2010

    MaiPearl

    Hummm Beyonce sings live and so does Usher

  11. maria June 29, 2010

    @DanBOfficial>

    Why should Lauryn have to change her hair to fit societies standards??
    African hair is beautiful and it just shows that lauryn is not have a S**** mentally.

    BLACK PEOPLES HAIR ALL THE WAY!!!

  12. klg0845 June 29, 2010

    I love that crazy woman so much. But, I can’t see her recording again. She still owes the studio a releasable album or return the money she received to record the album (reportedly 2 million dollars). And she’s still bat sh*t crazy. If I were managing her, I would tell her to tour like crazy and release mixtape after mixtape. To get the buzz going again. Then go to Sony and hammer out a deal that will send her back in to the recording studio. But, I don’t know if she would listen to anybody.

  13. BAUDABOOMBAUDABANG June 29, 2010

    YAASS,
    Lauryn I’ve been waiting…HURRY Up…Get in the studio. I still listen to miseducation everytime I get a chance. I love me some Beyonce and Alicia Keys, but I need some LAuryn in my life again.

    @MaiPearl

    Beyonce does sing live and so does Usher and they do it very well and they put on a good show at the same time.

    Well Rihanna, Trey Songz, and CB sing live to but they all sound horrible and should LIP SYNC.

  14. tyra June 29, 2010

    More like the illuminati aproached her when she came big and asked her to sing satanic songs and she refused thats why shes been hiding away cause they would not promote her and if she did come out with music they would make it hard for her if she never agreed with the satanic songs.

    Its funny cause if her debut album flopped they wouldnt give a s***. But cuase she sold millions solo wise thats when they aproach big artists.

  15. Last Boy on Earth June 30, 2010

    This gave me life, I LOVE YOU LAURYN!

  16. ~TeAM WeeZY~ June 30, 2010

    YAAAAAASSSSSS!

    Now this is the REAL QUEEN!

    I LOVE THIS WOMAN! She is a true musical genius!!

  17. DJB June 30, 2010

    I Posted this on my blog as well Sam. i had to, ive been missing me some Lauryn. any way i’ll holla at u 2morro 2 c how ur doing so await ur BBM 4rm the gr8 DJB lol.

    http://WWW.YINNYANG.CO.UK
    As seen in the fresh picks section on this site.

    Recommend by TGJ which i appreciate. Hope y’all enjoy the diversity of the site.

  18. DJB June 30, 2010

    Recommened by TGJ*****

  19. Darren June 30, 2010

    Love her music. wish she wasn’t so racist though.

  20. Darren June 30, 2010

    hmmm actually i always heard she said “”I would rather have my children starve than have white people buy my albums”

    but after a long google search there is nothing to actually confirm this

  21. Darren June 30, 2010

    its a filthy rumor all thanks to some random caller on the Howard Stern show

  22. Dave July 1, 2010

    She’s not necessarily crazy. It’s called life, “The Industry”, & the illuminati. Anywho… Lauryn is amazing, I hope her “singing technique” allows her to sing well, because her singing has been pretty off to me. & I have full faith she’ll pull through with a great album.

  23. likeCAESAR July 5, 2010

    Until yall get some solid proof I don’t wanna hear s*** else about the illuminati. Dumb asses. Truth be told…why would the illuminati focus all of its power into the music industry? Its not even that profitable these days. Why not big oil? How about this…BP execs didn’t wanna do what the illuminati said so they destroyed their rig.<—ridiculous notion huh? I bet you're still gonna drive your car…

    Lauryn Hill is batty! Most of the great artists are tho.

  24. M@C May 12, 2011

    @LIKECAESAR Of they dont focus all of their energy into the music industry! That is just their right hand keeping us under control and fighting with each other. Of course they OWN big oil, and they have their hands in many more cookie jars.

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