Lauryn Hill – ‘Consumerism’

Lauryn Hill is right back at it. After being released from prison yesterday having served a three-month sentence for tax evasion, the former Fugees frontwoman drops a new solo track called 'Consumerism.'

Clearly pent up with frustration against the system, the South Orange MC frantically attacks capitalism, racism, egotism and every other -ism in the dictionary atop a grungy backdrop. It's hardly on par with 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill' melodically, but at least it sounded cathartic for Ms. Hill.

In a letter written on Tumblr, Lauryn explains 'Consumerism' and talks about her upcoming project, 'Letters From Exile':

'Consumerism' is part of some material I was trying to finish before I had to come in. We did our best to eek out a mix via verbal and emailed direction, thanks to the crew of surrogate ears on the other side. 'Letters From Exile' is material written from a certain space, in a certain place.

I felt the need to discuss the underlying socio-political, cultural paradigm as I saw it. I haven’t been able to watch the news too much recently, so I’m not hip on everything going on. But inspiration of this sort is a kind of news in and of itself, and often times contains an urgency that precedes what happens.

I couldn’t imagine it not being relevant. Messages like these I imagine find their audience, or their audience finds them, like water seeking it’s level.

Stream 'Consumerism' below and purchase the single on iTunes.