BROOKLYN, New York — Lauryn Hill debuted six new songs Wednesday at the International African Arts Festival held at Boys & Girls High School. It's not known whether they will appear on her next album. The former Fugees member, shorn of her trademark dreadlocks, was accompanied only by an acoustic guitar, which she strummed sparingly throughout her set. Although she didn't announce song titles, the music dwelt on emotional pain, spirituality and social awareness.

One song's lyrics — "I found a new love/ I have no fear at all" — alluded to God. "I won't accept your system/ I don't respect your system," she wailed in another.

Hill broke down in tears midway through her first public performance since the Essence Awards in April, though she pulled it together and was able to continue. "Thank you all for allowing me to share, thank you for the encouragement," Hill said near the end of her set. The audience pleaded for one more. "Enjoy the rest of your day and be blessed," she replied.

Hill introduced her encore as being about "getting out of those boxes" — that is, breaking free of the constraints of societal and political oppression. She announced that God delivered the song's lyrics, which she read from a piece of paper pulled from her back pocket, to her while she showered.

As for a follow-up to 1998's tremendously successful The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, a Columbia Records spokesperson said Hill wasn't on the label's release schedule, which runs through the end of the year.