Lauryn Hill just got out of prison and, just like many rappers, she's got money on her mind. In the former Fugee's case however, her focus is on capitalism and corporate greed.
"Consumerism," the first single dropped by Hill since going to prison in July, deals with plenty of isms, most of which focus on financial elements, but features plenty of words ending with the suffix, ranging from atheism to fetishism. The rapper delivers her verses in less of a fluid narrative than a Billy-Joel-"We-Didn't-Start-The-Fire-"stream of consciousness rhyming. Her flow is impressive, rolling over an Oriental melody (probably supplied by an Erhu. More details later).
Hill could truly be moved by the state of the economy and the struggles of the lower class, but there's a decent chance the flame that started the "Consumerism" fire was provided by her own legal woes. Hill will be released later today after serving a three month sentence for tax evasion.
According to the IRS, the rapper failed to file tax returns post-2005 on amounts totaling more than $2 million in income. Hill cited "historical racism" as either the cause or the reason for her failure to pay taxes, as part of a rambling letter to fans released prior to her incarceration.
There is good news for the rapper however: Not only has Hill released a single, she's signed a recording deal with Sony. Hopefully that will help get the IRS off of her back.
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