Lauryn Hill has only been released from prison for 24 hours and has already streamed her new song “Consumerism” for the world to hear. After serving 3 months in a minimum-security prison for tax evasion, Hill is stepping out with a strong message. Listen to the track below.

Photo Credit: Marv Watson

Lauryn Hill has continued to be someone who steps outside of the box, and uses her expansive talent as a rap artist, songwriter and singer to promote a positive message. Never one to shy away from social issues, Hill has just released her new song “Consumerism,” after only being released from prison for 24 hours.

Lauryn’s legal battle started in 2012, where she was accused of tax evasion for 3 years. In June 2012, she released a statement explaining her tax evasion as part of the time she spent away from society. In April of 2013, Hill also announced that she would be releasing new music following all of the legal troubles she was facing. The following month she was sentenced to 3 months in a minimum-security prison in Connecticut. With 3 months of time to serve ahead of her for tax evasion, it’s safe to say she used her time wisely and this new track “Consumerism” is perhaps a result of her time served.

Consumerism is part of some material I was trying to finish before I had to come in. We did our best to eek out a mix via verbal and emailed direction, thanks to the crew of surrogate ears on the other side. Letters From Exile is material written from a certain space, in a certain place. I felt the need to discuss the underlying socio-political, cultural paradigm as I saw it. I haven’t been able to watch the news too much recently, so I’m not hip on everything going on. But inspiration of this sort is a kind of news in and of itself, and often times contains an urgency that precedes what happens. I couldn’t imagine it not being relevant. Messages like these I imagine find their audience, or their audience finds them, like water seeking it’s level.

The song has power, urgency and an undeniable message – consumerism is not freedom. Listen to the track below.