Queen Of The Hill

In a crowded room deep in the bowels of Sony Music's central London headquarters, more than fifty members of the European press are gathered together, doing the sardine shuffle and—now that the free beer and canapés have run out—becoming increasingly irritated at the non-appearance of Sony's latest big thing. Lauryn Hill, the 23-year-old hip-hop diva and voice of The Fugees, is already well over an hour late and still showing no signs of arrival. Which, given that this press conference has already been rescheduled twice, is a rather worrying development.

Still, we'll wait. We've little choice. Hill flies back to New York tomorrow and won't be returning to this side of the Atlantic for several months. She isn't doing any individual interviews and if the press conference doesn't happen then it'll have been a wasted trip for everyone. We kill the time discussing her sell-out debut solo gig in the Brixton Academy the night before—coincidentally, it would have been her late father-in-law Bob Marley's birthday—and marveling at the number of musicians who joined her on stage (at one point there were 17 people playing).

She eventually arrives almost two hours after the conference was due to start (it transpires that she was shopping for toys with her children), with her mother and press officer in tow. Much to the photographers' collective chagrin they're only granted a five-minute shoot. A few of them complain but the Sony reps are unapologetic. Lauryn wants to get some more shopping in before she leaves and her time is tight. The attitude may be rude but it's hardly surprising. Hill has been a celebrity for most of her adult life at this stage and she's well used to getting what she wants.

At 15, she was a US soap star, appearing in a recurring role in As The World Turns. By 17, she was a moderately successful Hollywood actress, playing opposite Whoopi Goldberg in the hit comedy Sister Act 2. By the age of 20, she was part of the world's biggest-selling hip-hop act The Fugees, rapping alongside childhood friends Wyclef Jean and Prakazrel "Pras" Michel. Their second album The Score sold over seventeen million copies and garnered her two 1996 Grammy nominations. Although the band haven't officially announced a split, they've all gone on to have highly successful solo careers.

But none more so than Lauryn. The 1998 release of her debut solo album The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill saw her becoming the fastest selling female singer in US history. A deeply personal record, blending soft-core hip-hop and tinged with Jamaican grooves, lyrically, it ran the gamut from affairs of the heart to socio-political issues; it has earned her no less than ten 1999 Grammy nominations. Little wonder then, that she doesn't mind keeping the press waiting.

Before the conference begins, we're warned by her press officer to be respectful of her private life (Hill is married with two children to Rohan Marley, son of Bob) and to keep our questions solely about the music. As it happens she talks quite freely about her love of husband and children, ending each reply with the expression "God is good". As well she might. Within two weeks, three of her Grammy nominations had come good, with Lauryn picking up the prestige award for Album Of The Year. And does she give good tape? Well, this is what we found . . .

Lauryn, do you enjoy playing in Europe?

Let me tell you something interesting. A lot of people find it hard to believe but this is, like, my fifth time here and, to be honest, this is probably the first time I've really been able to enjoy myself. And even though I'm working hard, I'm here with my family so really there's no anxiety. I'm able to see the people and feel the people and not just feel like a prisoner in my hotel. Usually people ask me "How was London?" and I'm saying something like, "Well, the bathroom in the hotel was really nice" (laughs). You know, I wouldn't be able to get out and see anything. But I've really enjoyed myself this time. It's really cool here, the vibe is pretty cool.

You've recently been nominated for ten Grammy awards. How does that make you feel given that the most someone like Michael Jackson ever got was seven?

You know what, I could never compare myself or use anybody else as a barometer . . . (pauses). Every time I'm invited to a different awards show it's still on my mind—I just remember being eight years old and trying to copy all of Michael's moves on an award show. So it's still part fantasy—it's hard for me to really believe. But to me, just the fact that I get to make music and feed my family from doing what I love, that's the blessing. And everything else is extra whipped cream, cherries and sprinkles, all that stuff. To me awards are just an extra blessing, an additional thing. But I was blessed initially, just by having the opportunity to do what I'm doing. I know people who are forty times more talented than me who never got my opportunities. So I couldn't ask for anything more than that.

Did any one of the nominations surprise you particularly?

It's nuts to me! They all surprised me. Em, God has a sense of humour with me, you know, because the day the Grammy nominations came out, my nephew was born. So when people were calling me up to say congratulations I was going, "Yes, he's seven pounds, three ounces! He's so beautiful!" And they were going, "No, I was talking about the Grammys". So for me, my life is so hectic that it never really sank in. Maybe ten or fifteen years from now I'll be able to sit down and go "oh my God". But right now, it's an honour of course but if they gave me a Grammy for, you know, Best Black Girl On 22 Terrace Street In Brooklyn I'd still be very happy! I'm very honoured.

Did you notice any change in your singing voice since having a baby?

Definitely! The only anxiety I had with this album was I had written these songs and then, after Zion was born, my voice just totally changed. And some days it would be just totally bananas and it's like a real hormonal thing. But it just made me really appreciate what I had.

When I was younger I was on a roll with the Fugees and I used to rap and sing maybe two or three times a night, seven days a week, all the time. "AAAHHHH!!!" (sings). I didn't really take care of myself, I didn't take proper care of my voice. And now, after having the children, I'm a little calmer. I just wanna take care of myself so I can keep on doing this as long as Gladys Knight or whoever. I don't want to take for granted what my voice is. But after Zion was born it did change, and then when my daughter was born it changed back a bit, so it sort of evened out.

What's the most important lesson being a mother has taught you?

I don't know if there is a most important lesson because they've all been so important. You know, I think my son saved my life. And when I say saved my life I don't mean like I was gonna leave the planet, but just in a spiritual way. I was heading in a different direction and he changed the course, like the way a storm diverts a ship. I feel very blessed to have my children in my life. It's been the most empowering experience and also the most humbling experience because on one note it's like "wow, I had a child". And then on the other it's like "WOW! I HAD A CHILD!!!"

It's a strong thing but it's also a beautiful thing. It's the most important of my responsibilities to me because no matter how many tours I do or how many times I go around the world, you know, just being a woman is my most important role. Children are empty vessels and you have to fill them with the proper information and the love and the wisdom so they can grow up to be compassionate, loving, strong, intelligent human beings. And that's not easy. The day I had a child I wanted to apologise to my mother for every stupid thing I ever did, because I suddenly realised how much sacrifice was involved. But really you just do your best. God is great.

How do you find juggling the twin responsibilities of being a full-time mum and a full-time recording artist?

Whew! Lord, it's hard! (laughs). But it's a good hard, it's a rewarding hard. You know when you go to bed tired, it's a good tired. It's not like I'm beating my head off the wall or it's something that's tiring me out and draining me in a bad way. It's not easy but it is possible. And I also have a wonderful support system. My children's father is wonderful. My mother is wonderful.

I spoke to Nina Simone and she told me that she thought it was impossible to have a career and a family and I said "why is that?" And then I realised that she lived in a time—I don't think her mother was in her life and it's hard to just leave your children in anybody's care, cos you know how important it is that they be raised properly. So because I have such a wonderful support system, I can go to work and just know that they're being taken care of properly, just as if I was taking care of them myself. But it takes sacrifice, it takes discipline. No social life, just a few hours of sleep at night (laughs) but it's a beautiful thing.

Do you always travel with your family when you're on tour?

So far I have. I came over here for three days this summer and I left my family at home and I was just so miserable. I was pretty grumpy, so I figured I'd better bring them this time. I feel most comfortable when they're with me because I feel I have to be there protecting them and they have to be there protecting me. I prefer it like that. It was very different before when I was with the Fugees cos I was one young girl in a crew full of guys—I was the tomgirl. But my life was different then.

Do you and Rohan Marley see yourselves as a celebrity couple?

We fell in love because of who we are, not what we are. The basis of our relationship is not to put out a press release. Okay, we met because we both move in the same musical circles, but that's not all there is to Lauryn and Rohan, you know.

Was your choice of repertoire for last night's gig influenced by the fact that it was Bob Marley's birthday?

Wow! Happy birthday Grandpa! Em, you know, I think that's sort of a general influence, it's not really about the day. It's just constant positivity, you know what I mean. It was definitely a tribute, but I think we're in tribute all the days of our lives. It's a celebration all the time.

Are you working on any new material at the moment?

I'm always working on new material. As a matter of fact, that's the only thing that makes doing all this promotion difficult. I mean, I enjoy it, I enjoy travelling, but while I was overseas, you know, it kind of took me away from the studio and I haven't really found a home studio in London yet. But I'll have to find one because I really enjoy making music all the time. I just wrote and produced a song for Mary J. Blige that's coming out on her album. I go home this week to record a song for Carlos Santana that I wrote and produced. I just did a rhyme on a song for the Mob Squad soundtrack with Curtis Mayfield and then just my own personal stuff. So yeah, I'm always working on new stuff.

Do you have any comment to make on the fact that your co-writers on the album have been complaining that they've not been given enough credit for their input?

Well to me it's unfortunate . . .

Press Officer (interrupting): Actually we don't want to answer that. That whole issue is in litigation right now so, unfortunately, we can't really speak about it.

Lauryn: The one thing I will say is that it's unfortunate that people have to keep legitimising themselves and keep reconfirming—especially women—who they are and what they do. And it's also unfortunate that there are people out there who will always try to take advantage of an opportunity, despite the morality of a situation.

Is it true that you're going to do a collaboration with Puff Daddy?

Well, I actually did speak to Puffy and . . . (pauses) I don't really dictate what I should or shouldn't do. Like, the inspiration sort of leads me, and if I sit down and create something and it ends up being something he'd like to do, then by all means that will work. But I can't really force my inspiration.

Is there any sign of a new Fugees album in the near future?

As far as The Fugees album goes, I feel the same way. You know, it's an inspirational thing. And also it's a scheduling type thing. We've literally been at the airports, departing and arriving at the same time. Like, Pras and Wyclef would just be leaving, I'd be coming home. So as far as another Fugee album goes . . . em, when Wyclef and Pras were around the world, I was at home. And then when they came home I had a child. And now I'm on tour. So it's really just a matter of us sitting down and deciding what we're gonna do, because we haven't made any concrete plans. Right now, we're sort of in limbo. Fugee limbo!

Is there any chance there won't be a new Fugees album?

Well, if the group has broken up, I don't know about it yet, so maybe somebody should call me and let me know. But I don't wanna think that, you know what I mean? Cos as a collective unit there was a lot of strength there. But we've always been a strong unit and we've also been strong individual personalities. And I would hope that if I released another solo album people wouldn't be too disappointed either. I would love to do another project with the Fugees, but we realistically have to get into a room and discuss how that's gonna happen. And to be honest with you, I would want us to treat it with the same energy and the same spirit of what The Fugees always were, which was just young, raw, hip-hop energy. Nothing pretentious, nothing arrogant, no egos—it was just all good music. So if we could get into a room and just bang it out like we used to, I don't see why there wouldn't be another album.

Who would you most like to work with?

I've been very blessed to work with so many people who I admired and respected and who taught me so much about music. I did a song with Bob Marley—people always look at me like I'm crazy when I say that (smiles). But we did a duet. Stephen Marley produced it. We did a duet of "Turn Your Lights Down Low" using Bob Marley's old recorded vocals and mixing them with mine. It was a lovely song. But who else would I like to work with? Maybe Stevie Wonder, man. I love Stevie. Wow! After that I think I'd have to time travel to do tracks with the people I like the most.

Do you get a lot of people wanting to work with you?

You know who I'm probably looking for? I'm probably looking for that next unsung hero in a basement somewhere in Brooklyn who hasn't been discovered yet, who probably doesn't even have a record deal. That's what really gets me excited—someone who's doing something brand new and original. You know, I have a record label myself now, and I'm just looking for kids who are brand new and hungry and have a desire to make good music.

Do you have any further acting ambitions?

I'd like to in the future, but I'm just waiting for the right role. There were a couple of things we were looking at that just didn't pan out as projects. But we have our own production company and maybe we'll create something and produce a vehicle rather than wait for Hollywood to create one. But it would have to be the right project—I would never do anything to jeopardise or confuse my position as a musician.

Who has been your biggest influence in life?

Wow! Musical influence or just general? Em, me and my mother are very close and she influences everything that I do. She still puts me on punishment when I don't do what she wants. But she's been very influential.

Do you remember the first time as a little girl when you understood that you had to go out there and perform?

I was a very crazy, dramatic little girl who was always singing in the mirror, eating potato chips like a commercial, you know. So I don't remember not wanting to do it. That's how early I was doing it. I was always a major production.

Do you think attitudes have changed towards female solo artists in the music industry today?

I think it is changing but I hope it's not a trend. I hope it's not like disco music and will go out of style so in a couple of years women won't be able to do what they're doing. You know, it's a challenge just because, for some reason, people always think that behind some women there's some male toymaster or manipulator telling her what to say or what to think. Also women aren't supposed to know what's best for them. But adversity doesn't scare me—it's what we gotta go through. You know, people before me had to go through far worse things just so I could do what I do.

What do you think of female singers who use their sexuality to sell records?

There was a young woman who sent me this article about narcissism. And in this article it was discussing how we have different narcissistic stages in our lives. One when we're little kids and, you know, it's all about us—"gimme this, gimme that!" It's all about me—I'm a child! And then there's another stage where we go through our adolescence, where everything is based on what the outside thinks of you. But if everything goes right in your life, then you mature and go past that stage and it's no longer about, you know, what some guy thinks or whatever. But some people get stuck in those phases and it starts to be a case of "I only feel beautiful when someone else is going ooh wow!"

And because I've been there myself, I know it, I recognise it and I'm not judgmental of it. I just know that young women need to know that they're beautiful because of what's inside and not outside. It's a huge self-esteem issue. So it's not for me to judge or have an opinion on anyone else. It's just for me to represent and hold the ground that I hold. And if I can be an example or encouraging or inspirational to a young woman to know that it's not about what someone else thinks but more about what you think about yourself—and even greater than that, what God thinks about you—then that's a great thing.