Though celebrated for her classic contributions to music, Lauryn Hill has been a hot topic for all the wrong reasons in the time since her solo breakthrough ‘The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill’ etched itself in the history books back in 1998. Indeed, so-so performances, personal drama, and erratic rants about “the system” have plagued the former Fugees singer.
The latest, as widely reported, is the criminal charges filed against the 37-year-old for not paying federal taxes on $1.8 million earned between 2005 -2007.
Having earlier plead guilty, today saw mother-of-six Hill arrive at court for sentencing. Find out what happened after the jump…
Slammed by Judge Madeline Cox Arleo for failing to fulfil her promise to pay the agreed $554,000 portion of the total $1 million debt by time of today’s sentencing, Hill (who has only coughed up $50,000) was spared hearing her punishment (which, given the severity of the issue, could mean a prison spell). Why? Her attorney, Nathan Hochman, has negotiated a longer window of time for her to come up with the coins. More specifically, two weeks. Thereafter, he has made no secret of his plan to plead for probation instead of time in jail.
Perhaps most interesting, though, was the revelation that emerged amidst the legalities. For, it was confirmed that Hill quietly signed a multi-million-dollar recording contract with longtime label Sony Music recently; a deal her team say will they will take a loan out from to pay the debt by the time of the new sentencing date of May 6th. Prior to this, the plan was to leverage the outstanding amount against two of the singer’s homes. {Source I} {Source II}
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Of course, Lauryn sorting out Lauryn should come first and foremost. However, as supporters of incredible talent, we can’t help but salivate at the prospect of what the new contract could mean.
In thinking of the bigger picture, the cynic in us feels the label’s interjection could just be a strategic move to protect one of their most prized assets (something prison would taint). Still, how awesome would it be if new music was to come out of this? The demand is there, as are the A-list producers to help Hill make that magic. Time will tell.