IHaveIssues: Lauryn Hill's Redemption

photo courtesy of Global Grind

One of the most respected female emcees in the game may not be giving us any new tunes we were secretly hoping for. After seeing her rock the stage at the famous New York summer festival Rock the Bells with Nas, we had a little faith that this may mean a new album is in the works.


Instead, Miss Hill will be facing three years in prison due to tax evasion. However, it doesn't look like she is looking for redemption since she did plead guilty.

According to the Huffington post, 

Eight-time Grammy-winning singer Lauryn Hill pleaded guilty Friday to not paying federal taxes on more than $1.5 million earned over three years.

Appearing in U.S. District Court in Newark, Hill admitted failing to file tax returns from 2005 to 2007. She faces a maximum one-year sentence on each of the three counts. She was charged three weeks ago.

During the hearing, attorney Nathan Hochman indicated that Hill planned to pay back the taxes she owes.

U.S. Magistrate Michael Shipp initially scheduled sentencing for early October but agreed to delay it until late November to give Hill time to make repayment.

Hill admitted she didn't pay taxes on about $818,000 earned in 2005, $222,000 in 2006 and $761,000 in 2007. The money was earned by four corporations she owned.

It is unfortunate that a great talent has to face such time, however at least she's standing up against what she doesn't believe in. Hill posted a note on her Tumblr expressing how the music industry takes advantage of artist as her reason for not making the payments. Well, whatever the case, we love us some Lauryn. Safe keeping Miss Hill.