Lauryn Hill’s most popular album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, hit an exciting milestone on Monday.
Hill’s groundbreaking debut album just marked its 27th anniversary. Released on August 25 by Ruffhouse and Columbia Records, it remains the only studio album from the rapper and singer-songwriter.
After touring with her hip-hop trio Fugees alongside Wyclef Jean and Pras Michél, Hill became romantically involved with Jamaican entrepreneur and Bob Marley’s son, Rohan Marley, and became pregnant with their first child. The pregnancy, as well as other circumstances in her life, inspired Hill to create this album. It was recorded in various studios in New York City, New Jersey, London and Miami while the Fugees were on hiatus from Sept. 1997 to June 1998. The album also includes features from Carlos Santana, Mary J. Blige and D’Angelo.
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was almost entirely written and produced by the singer-songwriter, and touches on many themes of love, relationship complexities, motherhood and faith. It mixes and incorporates many genres such as hip-hop, reggae and soul, and was considered one of the most acclaimed albums of 1998. In 1999, the album won Album of the Year and Best R&B Album at the 41st Grammy Awards, shattered multiple chart records and helped Hill set the record for the most nominations and wins in a single ceremony for a woman.
The success of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill propelled the American rapper to global prominence and contributed to making hip-hop and R&B more mainstream. Despite the success of this album, this remains her only one.
By 2000, the 50-year-old singer had completely stepped away from the spotlight after experiencing the pressure of immense success and a subsequent legal battle with New Ark over songwriting credits. Throughout the 2000 and 2010s, Hill would occasionally release a single or appear in movie soundtracks. In 2013, the “Ex-Factor” singer was sentenced to prison for three months after failing to pay over a million dollars in taxes on income earned between 2005 and 2007.
In 2023, Hill was supposed to go on The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill 25th Anniversary Tour with the Fugees, but it was cut short due to Hill’s vocal strain and rescheduled for early 2024. But the tour was again cancelled, allegedly due to low ticket sales. In October 2024, it was reported that her former Fugees bandmate Michél sued Hill for fraud and breach of contract over the group’s tour.
These days, Hill makes select appearances, most recently surprising fans by joining Drake onstage at London’s Wireless Festival last month. Beyond music, she remains devoted to her six children — Joshua (who goes by YG Marley), Zion, Selah, Sara, John and Micah — many of whom are pursuing their own musical paths. Hill frequently champions their work, especially YG Marley and Zion’s, often promoting their projects on her X account.
Fans can listen to The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill on all streaming platforms.
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