There has been many questions and controversy around Lauryn Hill and her recent tour. I am firm believer that the real story behind the artist can be told in their live performances. The sell out crowd at the House of Blues in Chicago on January 20, 2011 wanted some questions answered. What the hell happened to Lauryn Hill? The reports of Lauryn showing up late 2 hours to her shows and performing versions of songs that the fans do not recognize have caused some people to walk out of her shows in other cities. The show was advertised on Ticketmaster that Lauryn would hit the stage at 11pm. She presented herself right before midnight. The opening DJ was spinning classic Hip-Hop tracks to get the crowd hyped before the show. The tone the DJ set gave the fans the impression we were going to see classic Lauryn Hill tonight. This would not be the show everyone expected to see. Lauryn steers away from the traditional concert experience. She opens the show with a unrecognizable track that sounded strange to the ear. The one thing that was apparent was her voice is not damaged. She sounded like she never left the scene but she did not perform an opening act that would get the fans attention. The tracks that she presented seemed to purposely confuse the fans. There were moments when I glanced back to look up at the people on the balcony to see lost faces of confusion. I tried to keep my focus but I was getting lost in band and bizarre beady beats coming out of Lauryn Hill's mouth. I wanted to look into her soul to figure out the true message she was trying to communicate. I realized that her objective was to feed on our emotions. She knew everyone was on the edge of anticipation to hear classic Fugee and Miseducation tracks. This group wanted to see her succeed and were still cheered her on waiting and waiting for the moment. The classic Hip-Hip atmosphere was fading fast. It was like someone pulled the plug on the Neo-Soul of the 90s. I contemplated backing off the floor area because it was obviously clearing out. I decided to stay where I was because it was becoming comfortable which isn't what I am use to. The show escalated to an exaggeration of the Fugees and Lauryn Hill's only album. It became Lauryn Hill the musical with 10-15 minute versions of songs that seemed to have no ending. The fans wanted one simple thing from Lauryn Hill. They wanted to able to sing along and share a moment with the artist. She didn't deliver in that part. Watching the fans try to sing along was becoming painful and the effort of Generation Undefined was heartfelt. Does Lauryn Hill have a future in the music industry? The music wasn't bad. I heard a new genre of soul in the tracks she performed. I call it Futuristic Soul. It's a trippy sound that really fits into today's music. It's something that brings the funk back in today's music. I am just not confident that Lauryn Hill is the artist that will bring this sound into the mainstream. I started to dream about a budding artist with a voice that picked up on the genre on this cold night in Chicago. I hope that this artist will also remember how important it is respect the people that believe in you. Lauryn Hill's wasn't on drugs, she didn't yell out racial slurs, and this was a well organized performance. There were fans in attendance that loved the show but if anyone walked away with a better understanding of the artist and what she stands for I eagerly anticipate your interpretation. Lauryn Hill promised new music in the future. Could she possible be hinting toward that sophomore album we have all been waiting for? Curiosity and faith will keep Lauryn Hill from loosing one but there is an entire generation out there looking for a voice. The confusion and inconsistency of this artist shows she needs definition probably more than us.
No comments:
Post a Comment