The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is the debut LP of Lauryn Hill. It marked a before and after on her musical journey. On August 25, 2024, for its 26th anniversary, I trace back the beginnings of her life with her then-group, the gift of being at the top as a solo artist, the curse of fame, and her comeback.
Prelude
It comes as no surprise that our childhood surroundings shape, alter, or influence our future. That is what happened to Lauryn Noelle Hill, born on May 26, 1975. Being surrounded by instrumentation inspired her to be a performer.
At age 16 (1991), she saw the perfect opportunity while still in High School, when a friend by the name of Prakazrel “Pras” Michel played down the idea of forming a band alongside his cousin Wyclef Jean. They called themselves “The Fugees.”
Joining forces sparked their debut album, “Blunted on Reality” (1994). A record fused with Hip-Hop, reggae, and rock. Regardless of the lack of positive reviews, the LP introduced its personas to small audiences.
But if their debut LP didn’t catapult them to fame, the second one did. Once “The Score” (1996) dropped, it was a game-changer. It hailed them as the most powerful group at that time. Unfortunately, the victory taste didn’t last long.
The one to blame? The media. As Hip-Hop culture goes, it is mandatory to crown a leader, whether naming the Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T.) or listing the Top 10 Death or Alive (D.O.A.), friction started to rise amongst the group. “I don’t need an entourage. Why do I need a crew for?”
So, who was the leader of the group? Was it Pras, Wyclef (on the production side), or Hill (as the singer)? Indeed, jealousy entered the chart. Just a mere year later, they parted ways. Nonetheless, this motivated her to pursue a solo career.
The Gift of “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill”
Throughout the upcoming year, she locked herself in the studio to record “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” Released on August 25, 1998, it hailed her as a triple threat; a singer, a writer, and a producer.
Containing the singles such as “Doo Wop,” “Everything is Everything” and “Ex-Factor“, the 16-track project catapulted her to new heights of fame. Now she didn’t have to share the spotlight with anyone.
You know how the saying goes, “men lie, women lie, numbers don’t.” Indeed, she had the numbers to back up the best female rapper slash performer alive title. In just one month, the album reached platinum status.
On the record, Hill effortlessly blended the singing and the rapping. It went on to win 5 Grammy Awards (1999). For the next years, she remained at the top. However, the problem with climbing new heights is that once you reach the summit, there is no other place to go but down.
The Curse of Ms. Hill
Beginning of the 2000s’, Hill went on to seclude herself from the world and became a mother. During that hiatus, she released the live record “MTV Unplugged No. 2” (2002) only to be mixed with reviews.
A planned reunion album with “The Fugees” collapsed due to old friction (2005) with her group, and a solo tour was a disaster (2009). And it only got worse. In 2013, she served a prison sentence for tax evasion.
So, as previously mentioned, once at the summit, the view is amazing, but there is no other place but down. And that is the end for many artists. The public never hears from them again and they become the next candidate for a “What Happened To X or Y?” video. However, something strangely happened once she got involved in a new soundtrack.
The Come-Back of Ms. Lauryn Hill
In 2010, Hill performed the “Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” For the first time in years, a successful performance. Now and then, she released singles to positive reviews. However, once she contributed six tracks to the soundtrack of Miss. Simone (2015), a spark was ignited.
Upon watching the docu, the viewer can also feel Lauryn’s pain in a way since her life has an eerie resemblance to Nina Simone (R.I.P.) when it comes to stage performance. Perhaps two misunderstood artists.
Every artist gets to release their first album. There are two outcomes possible: a classic or a flop. On “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” Hill perfectly executes a lyrical motion picture. It sets the bar on how to release concept albums.
Despite the downfall she went through, she rose like a phoenix. With only one solo album under her name, Lauryn Hill opened the doors for many female rappers and singers. Her legacy is undeniable and her blueprint ID can be traced to artists such as Missy Elliot, Alicia Keys, Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Nas, to name a few.
As of 2024, the LP has been certified double diamond. Ms. Hill is the only female rapper to have this title.
Relisten the classic album on its 26th anniversary.
- “Ex-Factor” music video. Directed by Malik Sayeed (Ruffhouse, Columbia Records, 1998). ↩︎
