Lauryn Hill made headlines this week when her daughter Selah Marley shared concerning claims of abuse as a child.
In a now deleted live chat, the 21-year-old unpacked the “trauma” she felt defined her upbringing and the belt beatings at the hands of her “angry” Mom which she likened to “that slave *sh*t.”
Now, the ‘Doo-Wop’ singer is speaking up and out by way of a lengthy (and we mean lengthy) statement.
Her words below…
“Uhhhh black people, what??? Selah has every right to express herself, I encourage it, but she also got the discipline that black children get because we are held to a different standard. The discipline was seen through the lens of a young child who also had no place to reconcile me as mom, and me as a larger than life public figure. It took me a while to realize that my children, and probably everyone who knew me saw me in this duality. To me, I am just me. If I am guilty of anything it is disciplining in anger, not in disciplining. The toxic venom I ingested for standing on principle, and confronting systemic racism far BEFORE it was the thing to say or do (everything you NOW celebrate everyone for!)—the people who called me CRAZY and have yet to apologize and say ‘oh yeah, we were wrong’, OF COURSE that seeped into my home, it was intended to. An entire operation trying to break an artist with a voice and knowledge of herself—way ahead of her time—was in motion. I was affected, my family was affected, my children were affected.I discussed with Selah what it must have been like having a child while being hunted by nazis, or what it was like for the children of runaway slaves. The child just being a child puts her and everyone else’s lives in jeopardy. Keeping the child quiet to escape the danger is ALSO saving the child’s life! Imagine that. When I realized that the pressure on me was so incredibly hypocritical and unfair, criminal even, that even my children weren’t allowed to be children, I stepped away. I wasn’t removed, I STEPPED AWAY. Weening myself and my family from the addictions that systems of control attempt to use through fame and celebrity is no joke. It’s painful and people were not above using my children to keep exploiting me. Keeping a child sober minded in the midst of everyone trying to seduce and bribe and coerce is an incredibly challenging thing to do. Sell a few million copies of a recording and see the wolves and sharks for yourself before you determine what’s appropriate and what’s not. The danger was REAL! And this danger I faced alone, unsupported as I should have been, and dumped on by the same people who only a few years before built a fortune off the same gifts they later tried to deny and then COPY.My life has been about protecting my children from all kinds of danger, and that’s only possible when you protect yourself from the danger as well.Selah is on a road to healing and contextualizing her childhood, and is allowed her process, but if you come for me, come for your own mama, and those absent fathers—come for them too, your grandparents, your great grand parents, your great great grand parents, your great great great grand parents, Caribbean parents, African parents and everyone else damaged and judged for being black and forced to conform and assimilate to western standards of ‘order’ shaped through the filter and lens of anti-blackness.As my children mature they see the state of the world, before that, ALL they saw was me seemingly blocking the fun, not me aggressively blocking the trap.Selah and I speak often and she knows we are both working through our stuff—the exploitation, the abandonment, the mistreatment and the muzzling of our own gifts and intelligence to make it more comfortable for others, which is a big mistake to do, it can ONLY lead to implosion or explosion. We’re both learning and healing, and each of my children has a similar story and journey. All of you in a rush to crucify someone, careful who you string up or nail up. You might have an extremely limited view of the actual reality. We all hate abuse and exploitation, sometimes in an effort to fight against it we can easily become the abuser, the exploiter, and THIS is what we have to watch for. No one is exempt from needing to watch themselves in this way.My children are strong-willed and powerful, better I discipline them at home than have them shot down in the streets or locked up. They are not necessarily passive people, and they’re also learning how to navigate a world full of beauty but also full of danger. This was in no way easy to do as a single parent battling a public attack for not conforming, and single-handedly financially responsible for so many. My children’s families on both Hill and Marley sides have been hunted and persecuted for speaking out against and challenging the social, political, economic and spiritual dynamics that require a terroristic fear be put in Black people in order to control them. Expression is necessary for healing. People are quick to judge the content of Selah’s conversation without understanding the gravity of her life. There is so much more to the story than the pieces people try to glean, chop and screw and run with. If you’re one of these people under the illusion that money somehow simplifies life and solves all problems, look at the examples of Amy Winehouse, Whitney Houston, Bobbi Kristina Brown, Prince, Michael Jackson, Sam Cooke, Kurt Cobain, Marvin Gaye, Biggie Smalls, Tupac Shakur, Nipsey Hussle, Juiceworld, Pop Smoke, Lil Peep, I could go on…Sometimes fame and money amplify not only problems but can magnify the darkest and most cruel and selfish qualities in humans. Greed, jealousy, envy, covetousness, violence, fear. People see someone who they think is powerful or has something they want and scan for the slightest vulnerability to exploit. Sometimes being successful at something is like walking around with a bullseye on your back and your children’s backs. Raising children and attempting to preserve their youth while also preparing them for such complicated circumstances is nothing short of walking a tight rope. It requires impeccable balance. Now why would anyone benefiting from exploiting instability want to see me master that balance? They wouldn’t.Could you imagine what the world would look like if someone said ‘hey, this or that artist has an addiction problem, or this one is being taken advantage of, how can we help?’ rather than turning it into news. I wonder who’d still be here today?”
That was…plentiful. With that, what are…
Can someone give me the footnotes to this cuz I’m not reading all dat
Well you should read it. It’s her truth and you may learn from it.
Please read it. We all need to know this stuff and reflect on how we consume artists
Wow..beautifully spoken Lauren. Understood every perspective you presented.
In a nutshell, at her daughter’s age, Lauryn had met the devil HIMSELF and her skinny, 24-year-old, black lyrical genius had the NERVE to refuse signing his deal with her blood. This angered him and he set to destroy her while she retired to try to raise an unplanned first born with a deadbeat baby daddy. Questions? 😊
You are just being IGNORANT. learn SOMETHING , SOMETIMES, AND SOMEDAY so you won’t be a TOKEN FOR THE SYSTEM.
Girl you wrote a whole essay on your excuses on beating your kids but did you sit down and speak with them first
so, i guess you didn’t read the part where she specifically says that she speaks with her daughter often about this….
If I was Lauryn my comment would have been as follows:
“Yes, I beat that b y t c h ass, but I must not have done a good job–a b y t c h still got shyt to say.”
😁😂👍
You feel me?😂😂😂
She ia so self absorbed, its disgusting now. She was amazing back in the days and her album is top notch, but let’s be real, that woman is crazy to the max
We have our part of fault in her behavior.
We like to attack artists as if they aren’t already fighting all type of monsters within and surrounding them
YET …
Her pen shines.
Her kids were born from a genius.
She just said folks like go call her crazy and here you go…smh another imbecile
Basically Lauryn saying “I was treated like s*** by the system and people were racist to me. I beat my child to build their strength and resilience.”
While Lauryn is clearly talented, it doesn’t give her an excuse to be tardy (turning up late to gigs), refusing to pay taxes or beating her children. Selfish, entitled and damn right rude is Ms Hill.
Imagine what she faced alone by 25. She foresaw her artistic and racial (and potential physical) demise, in the form of the automatic “hoochie-fication” of the black woman in the US as a tactic of the military industrial complex’s think tanks. She refused to serve their agenda and chose to get out, giving up on her dreams and ambitions and potential. Saving one’s soul is no easy task and the sacrifice it had demanded of Lauryn must have, understandably and inevitably, seeped into her home and child rearing, which a deadbeat baby daddy (whose dad pioneered denouncing the system in song) exacerbated.
She is 100% right; however black children are not the only children disciplined harshly. My middle class white parents beat my ass when I deserved it, they were very strict, but it shaped me into the responsible adult I am today! We are seeing what a generation of “Time Out” does to society, just look at the millennial who’s lives have been harmed by ADHD drugs & lack of proper discipline.
Cut the lies
She is 100% right; however black children are not the only children disciplined harshly. My middle class white parents beat my ass when I deserved it, they were very strict, but it shaped me into the responsible adult I am today! We are seeing what a generation of “Time Out” does to society, just look at the millennial who’s lives have been harmed by ADHD drugs & lack of proper discipline.
Interesting.
I know Latinos will discipline your kids for you, whereas Mid Eastern parents hang you upside down by your foot.
Scars but we’re alive & jail free.
I use to think wyclef was the problem back in the day but now I can see the real problem, lauryn hill.
Such an awful woman.
Theres a difference with disciplining ur kid when they misbehave and torturing them cause u are angry at the world
Black parents dont know the difference.
I just hope her daughter doesnt do the same to her kid cause black people have this ideology, since my mama beat me and I turned out “okay” , I will beat my kids also.
How many of us would have chosen our kids, artistic integrity, and God over millions, adoration, and possible death by age 27?
When WE knew nada conspiracy!
Two singers get my respect for facing an industry all alone and making it out shaken but alive: Mariah (who’s bällsy enough to dump her label boss husband at 27?!?) and Lauryn.
Lauryn’s sole fault? Too many kids.
Came here judgmental.
Then, the poetess echoed my preference for parental punishment that heals vs. streets punishing kids via death or the gov via jail.
I salute her resisting the machine!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0HdzTvH8mvw
That’s called black parenting. Why y’all acting so surprised????? My mama used to smack the sh$t outta my face when I talking back. The kids in this generation were Being spoiled by their be loved parents, that’s why most of kids have no discipline now days.
And now eggplants smack the $hït outta you for making your 《Marilyn》 talk back? 😆
😂🤣my man’s 🍆is like a stormtrooper. I almost had brain trauma when He 🍆slapping my forehead. “Spaced out” for a minute 🪐💫
Run. You in domestic violence danger, gurl. 😂
Ezesee so you missed the whole point of the article beating translation corporal punishment you may not agree but not your kid who says that’s the only form of discipline that she imposed you should read it again with an open mind and not be so judgmental
Lauryn ain’t right and hasn’t been right for awhile. Sad.
Imma say it for the people in the back: NICKI MINAJ CANNOT COMPETE WITH CARDI B 🤣😂 Someone go check on fat lady Nicki Minaj. Fat lady doesn’t know what to do. I’m sure this is when she’ll start messing with her face. She’s copied everything else about Lil Kim, why not that too? BYE NICKI
https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/static/2016-10/17/10/asset/buzzfeed-prod-fastlane01/anigif_sub-buzz-30156-1476716145-2.gif
🤣
@PinotNoir:😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣💀💀💀
Blah, blah, blah.
I BEAT MY KIDS in ANGER because I was a black female superstar.
She’s evil.
that’s beautiful writing as usual for a songwriting legend but she is basically dodging the issue. my mom used to be strict and lay hands too and trust me I am grateful for her teaching me strength resilience and respect, I imagine Selah is grateful too as she has stated, but that kind of parenting leaves scars too. there has to be middle ground in between this and the current generation of spoiled brats.
All she said was yes she beat her children. Also saying that black people are know to discipline their children through spankings since the beginning of time! Also saying that she was trying to protect her children from harm not intentionally bring them harm. Also said her daughter was being dramatic when she likened the beatings to slavery all in all they are working on their issues and she wishes people would help/defend her instead of offering such harsh criticisms to her parenting style. The end!
This article is all about Lauryn. It gives explanation in which she doesn’t owe anyone. In some areas she clearly outlines her discpline. In other areas she is lamenting on how bad the systemn was to her. Although this article is hella long it needs further unpacking. I love her and her music and wish the best…
Well…..
I read Ms. Hill’s essay which I felt was trying to blame her extremely bad behavior on victimhood racism. No, not Ms. Hill. Beating a child is an act of
physical abuse and bullying. Black people tend to think they are saving their children from someone or something. THEY WANT TO BEAT THEM, PERIOD. They are the ultimate presentations of bullys. The little young child is defenseless and wants love and care from this overpowering beast. Funny how these bully black parents stop beating their children when those children can beat them back. Then….they expect these same physical abuse victims to care for them when they’re elderly. It would be the child’s right to care less about them. When a parent is “caught” physically abusing their child, they should be arrested and made to attend Anger Management classes just like those arrested for spousal abuse. BLACK PEOPLE, STOP BULLYING YOUR CHILDREN! IT IS A LEARNED BEHAVIOR FROM THE WHITE S**** MASTER! YOU! YOU ARE RUINING YOUR CHILDREN.
Lauren Hill is Extremely talented you can’t take that away from her. She’s also bat poop crazy and I believe that she did abuse her daughter.
Lengthy statement that she issued is all a crock of s***. The fact that it’s so long proves that she’s just rambling trying to save her own image as a mom and the daughter just exposed the psychopath that she is.
Beating a child with an object is indefensible. That said, so is being absent from said child’s life like Mr. Marley was. Imagine hating the parent who stayed. That’s what people are doing when they criticize single moms to the exclusion of absentee fathers, which is what’s happening here. The men in Lauryn Hill’s life treated her like abject garbage and aren’t even worth mentioning by name.
None of that is her children’s fault. I hope they all get the help they deserve so they don’t pass on the pain or carry it around for the rest of their lives. Trying to blame child abuse on being Black is a copout. My (white) parents hit me & justified it as teaching me respect. No. All it really does is allow an angry parent to take their rage out on a child like a punching bag. Kids who grow up & defend it are exhibiting Stockholm Syndrome, full stop.
Ms. Hill’s response is eloquent as ever. I wish she’d put this effort into music, poetry or other artistic endeavors instead of defending or explaining her shady child-rearing methods. It’s bizarre & sad.
Music is ugly business It can make you or break you or take you in this situation it took her family not including a young man I want to who is just about having s** not taken responsibility of what could happen that made Lauren left alone without anything Any therapy I’m sorry to hear about her daughter going through the experience through her mothers anger depression‘s frustrations and let Downs in abuse of hers they both need to sit down together away from everybody media everyone and reconcile structure of unity and love Somethings I read from my people is sad neither one of us in her shoes we might have experience things that some people never experience what they have experienced we are not the churches but we can give good constructive direction and motivation of spirituality God bless you and your daughter and hope that you can reconcile🤟🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾.
Kudos!! Bravo!!!
Well said, and though extensive (could we dare remove or deflate a single word/nay), great all the same.
Truth cannot be acquiesced to short pat answers. Her baby is still a baby , but mother lion speaks hear her loving roar!
Selah is posting her thoughts because she is in pain. As she matured, she will come to know that forgiveness is powerful. Forgive her Mother, love her Mother and continue healing herself. Forgive her Mother, thank her Mother for giving birth to her, and say, “I forgive you Mother.” And move on to healing herself. May love and peace and the healing process abound in their family.