Following the passing of the legendary Roberta Flack on February 24, tributes have flooded in from artists and fans alike, honoring the profound impact the iconic singer and pianist had on music. One of the most heartfelt tributes came from Lauryn Hill, who shared her admiration for Flack’s artistry and influence on her own career.
Taking to Instagram, Hill shared nostalgic throwback pictures of Flack, including album covers from First Take and Killing Me Softly. In her tribute, Hill recounted a powerful memory from Whitney Houston, who once told her that Roberta Flack’s voice was among the purest she had ever heard. “I grew up scouring the records my parents collected,” Hill wrote. “Mrs. Flack was one of their favorites and quite instantly became one of mine as soon as I was exposed to her.”
Hill continued to describe Flack’s presence as captivating, noting her elegance, intelligence, and the depth of her music. “She looked cool and intelligent, gentle and yet militant,” Hill reflected. “The songs she recorded from ‘Compared to What’ to ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ to her version of ‘Ballad of the Sad Young Men’ fascinated me with their beauty and sophistication.”
In her message, Hill recognized Flack as not just a singer but an all-around musician: an artist, pianist, songwriter, and composer. “She displayed the possibilities of what could be done within the idiom of Soul with her creative choices and standards,” Hill wrote, emphasizing the lasting influence Flack had on generations of musicians.
One of the most significant points of reflection for Hill was the song “Killing Me Softly,” which Flack didn’t write but made famous with her version. “Killing Me Softly, a song Mrs. Flack didn’t write but made hugely popular, became the song that catapulted myself and the Fugees into household phenomena,” Hill explained. “We wanted to honor the beauty and brilliance of this song and her performance of it to our generation.”
In closing, Hill expressed her eternal gratitude for Flack’s music and artistry: “I will forever be grateful for the sensitivity and delicate power of her Love and Artistry. Rest in Grace, Beloved One.”
A Lasting Legacy: The Fugees’ Tribute to Roberta Flack
In 1996, the Fugees, led by Lauryn Hill, paid tribute to Flack with their own rendition of “Killing Me Softly With His Song.” The song, originally a massive hit for Flack, had topped the Billboard Hot 100 and won the 1974 Grammy Award for Record of the Year. The Fugees’ version became a smash hit, appearing on their multi-platinum album The Score and selling more than three million copies worldwide.
Roberta Flack’s influence on the Fugees was profound, and in a memorable moment at the 1996 MTV Movie Awards, she joined the group on stage to perform the iconic song. This collaboration not only highlighted Flack’s legendary status but also solidified the bond between the two generations of musicians, further cementing her role in shaping the landscape of soul and R&B music.
Roberta Flack’s impact will continue to be felt for years to come, with her soulful voice and groundbreaking music remaining a cornerstone of American music history. Lauryn Hill’s heartfelt tribute is just one of many that reflect the deep respect and admiration for the woman who shaped the sound of a generation.
