What did Rohan Marley say about Lauryn Hill? He called singer the female version of his father Bob Marley

Lauryn Hill's longtime partner Rohan Marley once compared the Grammy-winning singer with his father Bob Marley. The two have five children and were in a relationship for fourteen years before splitting up in 2011.

In a 2024 appearance on Drink Champs, the athlete-turned-businessman raved about the contribution of Hill in developing their son YG Marley's musical career.

“It’s so beautiful to see her create her art and teach Joshua (YG Marley) the way, and bring Joshua on stage to open for her … to give him away and give him a spotlight, and that has guided him and helped him to orchestrate his music.

"She’s the G, a real G… She’s like, topnotch. Let’s take a shot for Ms. Lauryn Hill,” commented Rohan Marley.

The 52-year-old was later asked about the pressure faced by YG Marley because of his family history of producing musical juggernauts. He turned back to crediting Lauryn Hill's efforts in establishing a non-competitive environment within the family.

As the conversation continued, Rohan recalled what Chuck D had previously said about Lauryn Hill being similar to Bob Marley after the release of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in 1998.

“I remember when Chuck D said Lauryn is like the female Bob Marley – he’s right about that,” he said.

“He’s truly right because she’s really that person and when you talk about someone that stands on principle, like I said, at some point in life, you gotta own yourself.”

Lauryn Hill has paid several tributes to Bob Marley throughout her career and has collaborated with the reggae veteran on the song Turn Your Lights Down Low in 1999.

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“They tried to destroy Ms. Hill’s work" - Rohan Marley opened up about Lauryn Hill's struggles

In 1997, Fugees disbanded, and the three members went on to pursue their solo careers.

Lauryn Hill released her first record-breaking solo album called The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in 1998. Selling over 20 million copies worldwide, the album became the highest-selling album by a female rapper in history.

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill debuted atop Billboard 200 and won five Grammys, including Album of the Year - the first for a rap artist in history. However, her first solo album turned out to be her only solo album. The Fugees rapper took a sabbatical and separated herself from public stardom.

With regards to that move, Rohan Marley claimed that efforts were made to fruin the singer's career.

“They tried to destroy Ms. Hill’s work and legacy because she didn’t want to do another ‘Miseducation’ the way they wanted her to do it,” he said.

“She wanted to make music as her evolution… You know she ain’t gonna bow to that, so she’s a real queen in that industry,” commented Rohan.

The businessman also discussed the other controversies surrounding his ex-partner, including tax evasion conundrums and her habit of being late to concerts. Defending the latter, Rohan said:

“Sometimes you go through stages and then it so happens that you still have to do this (perform), but you’re still going through your own mind and solidifying your consciousness in regards to walking this way that you see as your way, and no one believes in your way because it’s not your way, so you have to kinda own your way, and it’s new to you because it’s a vision that you have for yourself…"

He continued:

“Then again. you’re in your mind and then you gotta perform, so sometimes there’s a delay because of all the accolades, all the attributes that go along with that.

"The attire … the timing. Maybe you get up at 1, but you gotta be on stage at 8, but you take five hours to do this. She knows, timing wise.”

In a 2023 interview with Open Magazine, Rohan Marley talked about his heartbreak and guilt following the split with Lauryn Hill.

"I feel sad that I loved her so much, and I faltered in expressing it to her somehow.

"It was my fault that she did not understand how I felt, and it was sad that we did not work out in that relationship sense. I was heartbroken for a long time," commented the 52-year-old.

Lauryn met Rohan when her relationship with Fugees bandmate Wyclef Jean was at its end.

The two got together and had five children - Zion David, Selah Marley, Joshua Omaru, also known as YG Marley, John Nesta, and Sara Marley. Although they never got married, Hill has referred to Rohan as her husband several times in the past.