Lauryn Hill defends song accused of ‘homophobic’ lyrics

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US singer Lauryn HIll defended her latest track, which was slammed by critics, as some said it contains “homophobic” lyrics, and portrays drag queens, as a negative aspect of modern society.

Hill, a singer, rapper and actress, debuted new cut Neurotic Society earlier in May, and revealed that she had signed a new record deal.

Lyrics from the song include: “Social transvestism”, “Commerce and girl men”, “Greedy men and pride fiends”, and “Quick scam and drag queens… Real life’s been blasphemed”.

The Fugees star has come under heavy criticism, however, as BET critic Monica Miller, has said the track contains homophobic jibes, and attacks drag queens, which are portrayed as negative aspects of how society has become a “shambles”.

“Whether or not Hill is merely using these comments as examples of the smokescreens and sleight-of-hands that pervade this ‘Neurotic Society’ is unclear,” wrote Miller.

Now, writing on her Tumblr, Hill has defended the track, writing: “Neurotic Society is a song about people not being, or not being able to be, who and what they truly are, due to the current social construct, I am not targeting any particular group of people, but rather targeting everyone in our society who hides behind neurotic behavior, rather than deal with it.

“The world we live in now is, in many ways, an abhorrent distortion, an accumulation of generations and generations of response to negative stimuli. Many don’t even have a concept of what normal is, by virtue of having lived afraid, ashamed, as victims of abuse, or inadequately handled for so long. I believe in coming up from under that fear and allowing the psyche/soul to truly heal. I understand that healing is a process, but I also believe that it is our responsibility to seriously care for ourselves, so that we can extend that level of concern for others and positively affect our environment.”

She went on to write: “The whole world suffers from a lack of honest dialogue. Character and integrity have suffered at the hands of political correctness and corporate agenda, while our society moves further and further towards unhealthiness and breakdown. I oppose these trends.

“Everyone has a right to their own beliefs. Although I do not necessarily agree with what everyone says or does, I do believe in everyone’s right to protest.”

After failing to file tax returns for $1.8 million (£1.2 million) she earned between 2005 and 2007, Hill was recently sentenced to three months in prison, and fined $60,000 (£40,000) for tax evasion.

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