Lauryn Hill’s Response To A Viral Critique Was Not What Fans Expected

Ms. Lauryn Hill has stepped into a simmering conversation about Rohan Marley, emotional wounds and the painful music fans have analyzed for decades.

Content creator Mayowa, who I never heard of ’til this very day, recently responded to an interview featuring Rohan. She argued that he treated Lauryn unfairly after the couple had five children together. She also characterized Lauryn’s music as sad, religious and self-deprecating, with lyrics that sometimes sounded like pleas for love. Hmmmm – ok, how about we walk this walk.

Mayowa took it further, suggesting Rohan pushed Lauryn deeper into religion after allegedly damaging her emotionally. She also revisited the irony of Lauryn singing about women wearing weaves while, in Mayowa’s estimation, being mistreated by an undeserving man.

Lauryn entered the comments and agreed with one portion of the critique. However, she firmly rejected the idea that Rohan had been doing her dirty while they were together.

Ms. Hill let lose in an online post:

“I might agree with some of the self-deprecation part, there are reasons for that, but while Rohan and I were in relationship I was NOT being done dirty.

My upset had layers, my upset with him had to do with his unwillingness to confront HIS trauma in order to grow and keep our family together. We don’t meet people as blank slates, they have pasts and past hurts. Both of us were working through traumatic experiences and we met each other trying to help uplift one another. You may not think Bob Marley was a saint, but he certainly changed the narrative for generations of people suffering under oppressive paradigms. We should distinguish the baby from the dirty bath water and recognize that birth can be a messy process, but on the other side of it is life. People may not be perfect in their walk but they can still battle with their own struggles and then make art about their battles and their victories that help liberate others too. I personally look to afford people grace when and wherever I can.”

That was thoughtful, nuanced and unmistakably Lauryn. Mayowa, however, was not moved from her original position.That was pretty shocking. She stayed 10 toes down.

In her final response, she repeated that Rohan had five children with Lauryn, who reportedly wanted marriage and referred to him as her husband…before he married other women. Mayowa said Rohan thought he were the prize. The inference is Lauryn was extending far more grace than the situation deserved.

Lauryn appears determined to protect the truth as she experienced it, even when that truth is complicated. Mayowa sees abandonment. Lauryn sees two traumatized people who could not preserve their family. Damn. It is basically a love story that keeps the internet talking.