The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is the debut vinyl 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 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

At the 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 strange 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 to the classic “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” vinyl on its 26th anniversary.

1. “Ex-Factor” music video. Directed by Malik Sayeed (Ruffhouse, Columbia Records, 1998). ↩︎

The post “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill”: The Gift, the Curse, and the Bounce-Back appeared first on Music, Movies, and Me.

KEYS is the 8th studio record by singer and producer Alicia Keys. After two decades of career, she sets the bar high with a double-disc album. She remains original & unlocks a distinct sound. Something she fought for during her early days.

Alicia Cook was born on January 25, 1981, in Manhattan, NYC. With an absent father in her life, she would look up to her mother, who worked multiple jobs to make ends meet.

Growing up in the boroughs of Clinton, molded her to witness the ugly, bad, and good. The ugly & the bad, meaning the daily street violence, and the good, connotating how to navigate and strive to choose her dreams.

Whereas many artists/musicians envision just picking up the mic and singing, Alicia fell in love with the piano. Throughout her teenage years, not only did she master it but explored other genres (i.e., R&B, rap, jazz, and soul).

At just 15 years of age, she signed to a record label. However, when that aspiration became a reality, she witnessed first-hand how the industry operated.

Instead of having the creativity of her sound and the vision she aspired to pursue, -musically, she was overshadowed by executives molding her with unwanted writers and producers.

“I always knew what I wanted,
and I was the only one that could create what I wanted.”

-Noted: Alicia Keys The Untold Stories (2021)

But the lessons of her upbringing shielded her to stay loyal. Eventually, she left her first record label. An unheard move back then when the first step to becoming a musician was to be signed to one.

Regardless, her final vision became a reality in June 2001, with the release of her debut album, “Songs in A Minor.” Afterward, indeed it proved to be just the piano and her.

Later, the album upheld her for being not only a writer but also a producer. Most importantly, she wasn’t boxed just in one category, but in multiple such as R&B, rap, and jazz.

As mentioned in Juice WRLD and Dua Lipa’s posts; the sophomore is even harder than the debut album. Here, you have to prove consistency.

And that is exactly what she showcased in “The Diary of Alicia” (2003). If her previous effort had “Fallin‘,” this one had “If I Ain’t Got You,” which catapulted the project atop the charts.

Amazingly, she did not show any signs of slowing down. In a span of 2 years, she released “As I Am” (2007), and “The Element of Freedom” (2009). Indeed, this girl was on fire (get it?).

Alicia/KEYS

If she dominated the 2000s, she set the bar high entering the new decade. In December 2020 and 2021, she released “ALICIA” and “KEYS,” respectively.

Comprised of a double disc, “KEYS” follows the blueprint of her previous efforts. Beautiful piano melodies filled with dazzling lyrics. Moreover, the LP blends different genres.

Namely, R&B essence by Khalid contributing vocals, rap presence by incorporating Pusha T and Lil Wayne, and rock by inviting singer Brandi Carlile.

As Ann Mincieli (female engineer) states, Alicia is considered a triple threat because she sings, plays the piano, and writes her music. Hence, she looks at her as the female version of Prince (R.I.P.).

“You have to go through many versions of yourself to finally feel that you are enough.
Accept the original of you to become unlocked.“

-KEYS: A Short Film (2021)

In fact, the music industry is understaffed by women. The percentage of female engineers is 1 % and of producers not more than 3 %. Thus, they created “She Is The Music.” A program meant for women to strive in music.

After 21 years into the game and counting, she remains original to herself and unlocks her full potential as a singer & producer on the extended project.

Watch “KEYS: A Short Film” and listen to “KEYS” in its entirety.

1. “Best of Me” music video by Alicia Keys. Directed by TT The Artist (RCA Records, 2021). ↩︎
2. “Keys: A Short Film” by Alicia Keys. Directed by Sylvia M. Zakhary and Sing J Lee (RCA Records, 2021). ↩︎
3. “KEYS” album cover by Alicia Keys (RCA Records, 2021). ↩︎

The post Alicia Keys Music: Original and Unlocked songs on “KEYS” appeared first on Music, Movies, and Me.