Lauryn Hill’s emotional speech to D’Angelo: ‘You were a beacon of light’

Lauryn Hill moved followers this week by publishing an open letter on Instagram dedicated to D’Angeloafter his death. In the text, she expresses regret for not having had more time with the artist, highlighting that “his undeniable beauty and talent were out of this world”. She further stated: “protection in a world that covets light and divine anointing.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ms. Lauryn Hill (@mslaurynhill)

The singer thanks her colleague for his ability to “move, agitate, inspire and even intimidate others into action with his genius”, and remembers that he was “a beacon of light for a generation and beyond, who had no memory of the legacy that preceded us”. By emphasizing the role of D’Angelo as a precursor, Lauryn reaffirms its importance not only musically, but culturally and spiritually.

Hill ends his tribute with a prayer, wishing that D’Angelo be “at peace, far from selfishness, fear, controlling interests”, as well as “far from possessiveness, greed, manipulation, purposeful chaos”. “I love you and I miss you”, he confesses. And he adds: “May God grant peace and shelter to your family, true friends and genuine lovers, Brother, King”.

Check out the full speech:

“I regret not having more time with you. Your undeniable beauty and talent were not of this world, and a presence that is not of this world needs protection in a world that covets the light and anointing of God. You, sir, moved us, stirred us, inspired and even intimidated others into action with your genius. Thank you for being a beacon of light for a generation and beyond that had no memory of the legacy that preceded us. Thank you for charting the path and for making space at a time when no similar space actually existed.

You represented a unity of strength and sensitivity in black masculinity for a generation that only saw itself as having to be one thing or another. It is my sincere prayer that you are at peace, far from selfishness, fear and/or controlling interests. Away from possessiveness, away from greed, away from manipulation, away from exploitation, away from intentionally designed chaos and may you, Brother, be at peace, in bliss and in eternal light and fulfillment with our Father in heaven. I love you and I miss you. May God grant peace and shelter to your family, true friends and genuine appreciators, Brother, King.”

Partnership between geniuses

Lauryn Hill and D’Angelo collaborated in “Nothing Even Matters”one of the most striking tracks from the classic The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998). The song is remembered as one of the most intimate and sensual on the album, with their soft vocals intertwining in perfect harmony. The duet is one of the rare special appearances of Laurynand shows the deep artistic and spiritual connection between the two artists, both pillars of neo-soul.

In addition to this collaboration, the admiration between them has always been mutual. D’Angeloin several interviews, cited Hill as one of the most visionary artists of her generation — and The Miseducation as one of the albums that inspired him to follow more spiritual and introspective paths in his own work, such as Voodoo (2000).

• D’Angelo

• Lauryn Hill