Ms. Lauryn Hill delivered her new, pre-incarceration single, “Neurotic Society (Compulsory Mix),” with a disclaimer: It wasn’t quite ready.
L-Boogie’s niece, Zuri Marley, says the track—despite it’s idiosyncrasies—challenges the modern-day status quo for hip-hop.
“‘Neurotic Society (Compulsory Mix)’ is definitely packed with statements about the negatives of our society; Lauryn has always pushed the envelope in that way,” says the 17-year-old Marley, third child of Ziggy. “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.”
Early responses to the track, which was released on Sunday, are mixed, with some listeners getting lost in the rapid-fire rhymes are so tightly jammed that they are nearly incomprehensible. Yet the society-challenging message is there.
Says Marley: “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!”
There’s already a stall in Hill’s imminent comeback, though: That pesky jail time. On Monday, the singer was sentenced to three months in jail for tax evasion. When she emerges, though, she’ll have her newly inked Sony Music deal as a vehicle to release music for her eager fans.
“Maybe there will be a big single!” Zuri exclaims. “This is just the beginning and I’m excited to hear more.” —John Kennedy, with additional reporting by Gavin Matthews
https://youtube.com/watch?v=jBBxFKCAaCo%3Frel%3D0