Lauryn Hill might be facing up to three years in prison for tax evasion, but the outspoken singer won't be silenced. Last night in Dallas she kicked off her "Life Is Good/Black Rage" joint tour with Nas, debuting her fierce new single (and tour namesake), "Black Rage." In a press statement, Hill explains her creative and political motivations for the tour:
I've been a long standing rebel against the stale, over commoditization. As artists we have opportunity to help the public evolve, raise consciousness and awareness, teach, heal, enlighten and inspire in ways the democratic process may not be able to touch. So we keep it moving.
"Black Rage," delivered spoken word style, tackles themes of racial inequality and abuse. "Obviously this is a song about confrontation," Hill begins. "Black rage is founded who fed us self hatred / Lies and abuse while we waited and waited / Spiritual treason this grid and its cages / Black rage is founded on these kind of things." [Rap-up]
Watch the full performance below: