Lauryn Hill has recently faced tax evasion charges and the singer has reportedly been ordered to pay the IRS $504,000 in less than two weeks.
On the heels of these reports becoming public, the Grammy-winning singer took to her personal Tumblr page to publish her thoughts on the matter.
After facing much scrutiny, Hill wrote a note that addressed these claims and rumors of her signing a new deal with Sony Music.
In a recent post, she says:
“It has been reported that I signed a new record deal, and that I did this to pay taxes. Yes, I have recently entered into an agreement with Sony Worldwide Entertainment, to launch a new label, on which my new music will be released. And yes, I am working on new music.
I’ve remained silent, after an extensive healing process. This has been a 10+ year battle, for a long time played out behind closed doors, but now in front of the public eye..
The nature of my new business venture, as well as the dollar amount reported, was inaccurate, only a portion of the overall deal. Keep in mind, my past recordings have sold over 50,000,000 units worldwide, earning the label a tremendous amount of money (a fraction of which actually came to me)…
I am one artist who finds value in openly discussing the dynamics within this industry that force artists to compromise or distort themselves and what they do, rather than allowing them to make the music that people need. There are volumes that could (and will) be said.”
Four days prior to this note, Hill penned another response to critics and journalists who she says inaccurately reported on her current financial status.
In it, she says:
“I’d like to set the record straight: I am not squatting, and I do not owe any money to my landlord. I have always stayed current on rent.
I was raised in South Orange, which is why these allegations are not only false, but insulting. I am in talks with the town about resolving an unrelated issue, regarding how I use my home to work on my music, which has nothing to do with my financial obligations.
Won’t it be great when real journalism returns to replace inaccurate tabloid harassment.”
Follow Lilly Workneh @Lilly_Works