Lauryn Hill Writes Open Letter About Financial Problems, Sony Deal and New Music

It seems like every artist is issuing an "open letter" these days. Lauryn Hill posted a missive explaining her financial situation and new record deal on Thursday (April 25) via Tumblr.

The embattled rapper writes in a 352-word letter that her absence from the music scene was because of a "10+ year battle" to exit from a constrictive record contract. She hopes to gain economic freedom to "create and live without someone threatening, controlling, and/or manipulating the art and the artist, by tying the purse strings."

The mother of six goes on to say that reports that she received a $1 million record contract were false, only a portion of the said deal. She also added that her past recordings had sold over 50 million copies worldwide but she has only received a fraction of those royalties.

Hill ends the letter with news that new music will come and she will not be silenced.

"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," she writes.

She signed the letter with the initials "MLH," which stands for Miss Lauryn Hill.

Watch Lauryn Hill Perform 'Mystery of Iniquity'