Legendary performer Lauryn Hill has paid tribute to Roberta Flack, who passed away recently at the age of 88.
She described the late singer as “cool and intelligent”, and touched on how her works inspired her compositions. Lauren Hill’s single with the Fugees, Killing Me Softly With His Song was said to be a cover of Flack’s 1973 rendition.
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“Roberta Flack died peacefully surrounded by her family. Roberta broke boundaries and records. She was also a proud educator,” a representative of the Flack family wrote in a statement on Monday, February 24, 2025.
Lauryn Hill recalled conversations with Whitney Houston in her post, adding that Flack’s work has been one of her favourites.
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“Whitney Houston once told me that Roberta Flack’s voice was one of the purest voices she’d ever heard…I grew up scouring the records my Parents collected.
“Mrs. Flack was one of their favourites and quite instantly became one of mine as soon as I was exposed to her. She looked cool and intelligent, gentle and yet militant,” Ms Hill said.
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She praised the beauty and sophistication of Flack’s projects, emphasising that the late composer enabled her to make her personal creative choices.
Hill revealed that Fugees 1996 breakout hit Killing Me Softly was made “to honour the beauty and brilliance” of Roberta Flack’s song and exceptional performance.
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“I will forever be grateful for the sensitivity and delicate power of her Love and Artistry. Rest in Grace Beloved One,” she added.
Roberta Flack won Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Performance at the 1974 Grammys for Killing Me Softly. She was honoured with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020, prior to her health challenges in 2022.
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Last October, Lauryn Hill, fired back at her bandmate Pras Michél, who had sued her for breach of contract and mismanagement of funds related to a 2023 reunion tour.
According to the multiple award winner, the claims by her team member were “baseless” and “full of false claims.”
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She issued a statement indicating that her decision to stay silent on the suit was due to a number of factors. But she later decided to speak out and defend herself.
“This baseless lawsuit by Pras is full of false claims and unwarranted attacks. It notably omits that he was advanced overpayment for the last tour and has failed to repay substantial loans extended by myself as an act of goodwill,” a part of her statement read.
