With all the drama surrounding Lauryn Hill as of late, it's hard to believe that she was once considered The Voice of Black Female America almost a decade ago. I know it definitely is for me, which is why I've taken her demise especially hard. And yes, what I'm seeing and hearing and reading is evident that she's definitely in the midst of a downward spiral- no matter how much those in denial want to disagree.

Sure she's not the bright-eyed 19-year-old who spit heat on the mic on Nappy Heads (Mona Lisa):

but something's got to give when one becomes so embittered by their issues that they've alienated the very people that were willing to stick by them through it all- the fans. While some folks point to the previous video clip (below, in the last entry) as their watershed moment, it was the culmination of numerous "call me Ms. Hill" interviews that took its toll on me. While many a beloved artist have dealt with personal and professional heartache in the public eye, it was "Ms. Hill" who decided to disengage herself from the bond between herself and her fans through a new tart and disaffected persona.

Granted, a constant criticism about "Ms. Hill" was that she was too self-righteous for her own good. However, through that perceived conceit was a woman who was unafraid with communicating and making contact to her legions of fans. Somewhere- and it's hard to pinpoint exactly when- the open book became a locked door, leaving the public confused and angry. Confused about the way the most together black female superstar fell apart and angry about the potential that is being lost in a vitriolic storm.

In turn, while I will always credit Lauryn Hill with providing us with the image of a beautiful, intelligent, talented, and conscious sista while blessing the world with one of the most groundbreaking albums of all time- The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, for those who don't know, I can honestly say that Ms. Hill has lost me as a fan. Much too big a distance between the Lauryn that we knew, felt, and loved and the "Ms. Hill" that has become a stranger on Earth.

Tracy