The idea of an album being a “classic” is reserved for a special class of music. For an album to be considered a “classic” it must be undeniable and leave a lasting impact on the world, a tough task for some words put to a melody but that is part of it, these albums make that look so easy. There are classics, then there is Ms. Lauryn Hill’s debut solo album (released 8/25/98) The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, an album that caused a seismic shift in hip-hop and continues to prove why 25 years later.
Listening back to this masterpiece doesn’t call for the word “classic”, it feels almost spiritual, too good to be true. Everything from the concept down to every word spoken by Hill feels like pure music, poetry in motion. Hill tapped into the cosmos to craft her solo debut and coming off of the immense success of Fugees, the world was watching. Hill miraculously climbed through a fire of attention and praise and listening to nothing else except herself, allowing her 1998 release to truly introduce the world to Lauryn Hill. Her ear for arrangements shows a clear understanding of her songwriting prowess as Hill penned everything from vicious rap verses to jaw-dropping soul music, an often imitated but never duplicated formula.
The story goes that Hill was inspired to create The Miseducation after becoming pregnant and recording began shortly after a Fugees tour in 1997. She had been contributing to solo work from her fellow Fugees artist Wyclef Jean although life had been filled with roadblocks and her creativity was blocked. Hill credits her pregnancy with sparking her creativity and it is said that Hill wrote over 30 songs for the solo effort. The 16 she went on to produce herself, along with a colorful cast of musicians to help bring her ideas to life, creating a perfect introduction to Hill’s true range. The album garnered an immense amount of praise upon release, racking up ten Grammy nominations and taking home five of them, including the Album of The Year award, the first hip-hop album to do so. That Grammy night Hill changed history a second time by being the first female artist to take home that many awards in one night. The Miseducation deserves any and all of the praise it has garnered and it did it on the back of pure artistry.
The music contained inHill’s lone solo album can only be described one way: magically undeniable. It is rare when an album feels deserving of the word perfect but if you dare, try and find a flaw on this record. The influence Hill took from the world around her is filtered through her creative lens with the songs taking notes from her time in the Fugees and experiencing success for the first time in her young career. Her love for Hip-hop and expert flows are on full display on the stand-out “Lost Ones” and “Final Hour” while hits like “Ex-Factor” and “Doo Wop (That Thing)” showcase her range as a vocalist. The album ranges from full live bands to simplistic drum patterns perfect for her intricate rhyme schemes and storytelling. Her songwriting still feels refreshing all these years later, acting as a reminder that if she really wanted to, Hill could’ve produced a full discography of perfect records. Hill is also credited as the sole producer of her solo debut, although lawsuits and rumors from the band she worked with say otherwise, The Miseducation forced Hill into the spotlight and showcased her true range as an artist.
Ms. Lauryn Hill emerged from her success in 1997 with a proper solo debut drenched in pure passion and meaningful music. There is no article long enough or think-piece intelligent enough to ever describe The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, the artist put her full heart and soul on display and was welcomed with open arms. However as the years have gone on, it became clear the attention was not what Hill was looking for. Hill has become more elusive as the years have gone on, leaving us with nothing but her only solo effort as a small glimpse into the elusive artist. And what a glimpse it is, The Miseducation represents something more than Hill, it created a shift in music that can still be felt today and when we’re celebrating the album’s 100th anniversary, these songs will be just as potent and important as they are 25 years after it changed the world.
