The Associated Press reports that Lauryn Hill was sentenced to three months in prison, with an additional three months in "home confinement", for failing to pay taxes on about $1 million in earnings. Going into sentencing, Hill had faced a maximum of one year in prison on three separate counts; her counsel had sought probation instead. Prior to her sentencing, Hill had made a statement to the judge explaining why she had lapsed on tax payments: "I needed to be able to earn so I could pay my taxes, without compromising the health and welfare of my children, and I was being denied that." Her attorney had also pointed out that the singer had already paid over $970,000 to satisfy state and federal tax liabilities as well.

The sentencing comes after Hill had signed a deal with Sony last month that, ostensibly, would have helped her avoid prison time for the tax evasion charges. Hill released a new song just yesterday as a part of that deal, "Neurotic Society (Compulsory Mix)"; listen to it below.