Ms. Lauryn Hill’s newest release represents a dramatic shift, placing the legendary MC somewhere between the fury of the Fugees and the social awareness of the same era that made her a household name. Still, despite their very real message, the dense ideas of Hill’s outlook on today’s society can be hard to take in. RapGenius breaks down the five most confusing lines from Lauryn Hill’s “Neurotic Society(Compulsory Mix),” with an introduction by musician and niece Zuri Marley. —Gavin Matthews (@GavinThisThing)
“Without a doubt, everyone is happy to hear Lauryn producing new music. The track ‘Neurotic Society (Compulsory Mix)’ is definitely packed with statements about the negatives of our society, Lauryn has always pushed the envelope in that way. Musically, I think this track deviates from what we’re used to, however, the soulful songstress’ voice still resonates with a tone that is unforgettable. I think this is just the beginning and I’m excited to hear more. Maybe there will be a big single! Remember that Kanye West line from ‘Champion‘ [‘Lauryn Hill said her heart was in Zion, I wish her heart still was in rhyming’]? Well Kanye, your wishes have come true! She’s back!” —Zuri Marley (@ZuriLyric)
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1.“Desperados and casualties, corporations want batteries”
The greatest heroes of the past are always those that stand up against evil, the man, or some impossible force, saving the day for freedom and peace. Today, that idea is dying, rapidly replaced by the normal, a continuous cycle of work, sleep, and boredom. Much like The Matrix, Lauryn sees how we all operate as “batteries,” units of energy and work that simply “do” a job, recharge, and return the next day. There is no longer room for “desperados” in today’s world, a place where you must fit inside of the machine to take part. Sadly, this leaves the hotshots, hoping to make it all better, to pay the costs. -
2. “Transforms projections like Cartesian images”
The very same “social transvestisms” from before project an entirely different reality onto the world we see. Blinded by false morals and ideas, we only see what the skewed framework suggests. Lauryn points to the hypothesis of “Cartesian imagery,” the idea that we all have an places in our mind that are “aware,” driving our everyday outlook and behaviors. Think about where your own concept of “you” sits and you can see where Lauryn is coming from: when we look at exactly why we do anything, we can see what controls our motions. -
3. “Social transvestisms, subliminal dressed up as piety”
Playing on the term for someone who cross-dresses and enjoys swapping the usual traits of the opposite sex, Lauryn calls society yet another illustration of this flipping. With people and ideas frequently changing meaning, labeling the bad as good, it is nearly impossible to find true values still alive and clear. “Dressed up” as goodness, the morals on shows, in music, and in everyday life act like wolves in sheep’s clothing, trapping us in evil before we even realize how wrong we are. -
4. “Glam life in debt, scam life in editors/Byproducts of neglect children hiding from creditors”
With a reality TV cycle that places the love of money, success, and glamour in a 24/7 dose of noise, it is not hard to see the takeover of a world built entirely on lies. When culture and morals are created by the hands of “editors,” the allure of materialism and selfishness becomes the norm, replacing peace, friendliness, and simple happiness with life. Money leaves a large set of losers, left to watch as others live in extravagance, not yet aware of how hollow the entire system is. With the “glam life in debt,” it is only a matter of time before the charade falls. -
5. “Come on really, saying it’s the Devil/But you’re the chief arsonist”
The very same people that critique the “sins” of the world are often those fighting for a different, but similarly sinister agenda. Like a TV company shunning the “debauchery” of pop music while playing its own fair share of poor content, hypocrisy in the debate over today’s morals is rampant. While it is easy to point fingers to label issues as the metaphorical incarnation of the “Devil,” we often fail to see how we are the real source of the “fire” of poor choices, from letting children see the worst of media to promoting the same reduced outlook. Before burning down another, make sure that you’re not the biggest source of heat.