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Lauryn Hill Biography
Review The Artist (19)
Source: http://www.lauryn-hill.com/history.html
BORN: May 26, 1975
"Hey, it's my album! Who else can tell my story better than me?" says Lauryn Hill, chanteuse, rapper, songwriter, actress, activist and mother. She's talking about The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (RuffHouse/Columbia), her solo debut album and one of the most hotly-anticipated records of 1998.
Produced by Lauryn herself, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is a deeply personal album, running the gamut from affairs of the heart to socio-political issues, set against a sonic backdrop displaying the remarkable talent of this young native of South Orange, New Jersey. The title, according to Hill, shouldn't be taken too literally. The doe-eyed 23-year old, who completed her freshman year at Columbia University, explains: "... the concept of 'Miseducation" is not really miseducation at all. To me, it's more or less switching the terminology... it's really about the things that you've learned outside of school, outside of what society deems appropriate and mandatory. I have a lot of respect for academia... But there was a lot that I had to learn * life lessons * that wasn't part of any scholastic curriculum. It's really our passage into adulthood when we leave that place of idealism and naivete."
Lauryn's eagerly-anticipated solo opus has been a long time coming. Critics, who were first privy to Hill's mellifluous, sometimes gritty alto on the Fugees' 1993 debut, Blunted on Reality, suggested she break free of the constraints of the group and go solo. The critics obviously missed the point. Undaunted, Hill stuck to her principles, which included fierce loyalty to the group, and went on to co-write, co-produce and serve as featured performer on the Fugees' sophomore offering, The Score. The rest, so the adage goes, is history. The album went on to rack up sales of over 17 million units, making the Fugees the biggest-selling rap group of all time.
With fellow cohorts, Prakazrel "Pras" Michel and Wyclef Jean, Lauryn also garnered two 1996 Grammy awards: Best Rap Album for The Score and Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal for Lauryn's poignant cover of the Roberta Flack classic "Killing Me Softly." That single became the hip-hop anthem of 1996 and firmly insuring the Fugees' success in the upper echelons of pop music's colorful history.
The young woman -- who Public Enemy's Chuck D admiringly describes as "sunlight" and a "Bob Marley (of the) 21st Century," has documented her glorious, multi-faceted life on record. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill -- like its author/protagonist -- is confrontational, strong, forthright, and intelligent, while retaining a delicate, sensitive balance. This young auteur steps fearlessly into the musical arena, dealing with subjects that are close to her heart. At times, her humor is wry and candid and her pain and anger startling, but she is never bitter. She has been galvanized by her life experiences.
"I'm close to all of them," she says, almost maternally, about her songs. "Every time I got hurt, every time I was disappointed, every time I learned, I just wrote a song," she explains, "but the song that touches me the most is the one about my son." "Joy of My World is in Zion" is for those "...who may have thought I was all that, but here is some of the pain I was going through. Here's my human side... It was very strange to me how this became an issue * this decision of mine. But what began as something dark became the brightest and most important thing to me."
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill forays into hip-hop territory with cuts like "Doo Wop" and the Jamaican-tinged grooves of "Lost Ones." Throughout the album, Hill's delicious vocals engage and captivate. Musically, she brings a warmth and sensitivity to the sound of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and displays her wide knowledge of the workings of the studio as producer on this stunning debut. She is undaunted by the fact that this area of recording is considered mainly male territory. "Men have a hard time taking direction from women, but when you pay somebody, you pay them to get it right, " she says. "I think that women will be called 'bitches' and 'hard to work with' if they ask for and get what they want. So I don't pay attention to that at all. Music is so important to me and how I come across in music is so important. I'm a perfectionist. If I have to do it a hundred times, I'll do it a hundred times!"
And though men's attitudes towards women in the industry riles her, she forges ahead. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is evidence of her self-assured attitude as a well-rounded artist and studio technician. Her skills as a prolific songwriter have led to her writing songs for various artists. She wrote and produced "On That Day" for gospel artist CeCe Winans, and, in addition to writing the smash hit title cut for Aretha Franklin's current album, A Rose is Still a Rose, Lauryn also directed song's accompanying video. She has proven herself to be a versatile performer and producer.
Her immense talent transcends gender-specific constraints. "Men like it when you sing to them. But step out and try and control things and there are doubts. This is a very sexist industry," she opines. "They'll never throw the genius title to a sister. They'll just call her 'diva' and think it's a compliment. It's like our flair and vanity are put before our musical and intellectual contributions."
Having spent her much of her formative years in the nation's spotlight, first as an actress (she appeared in a recurring role in "As the World Turns" and was featured in "Sister Act II: Back In the Habit") and now as a multi-platinum artist who still finds time for charitable causes (she is the founder of non-profit organization, The Refugee Camp Youth Project, whose manifesto is based on giving back to the community and improving the quality of life for inner-city children), Lauryn Hill has very much come into her own and The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is the musical proof. As Lauryn Hill, the hip-hop groundbreaking genius, puts it, "I want my music to touch real people. I'm still trying to figure myself out, like most people.... because I'm still living and learning..." |
Would you please submit the latest Lauryn Hill biography to me? Thank You.
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Review about Lauryn Hill
Appreciate the beauty of your Music... | Reviewer: Busisiwe | 9/29/2008Hi Lauren,
Really love your music especially when you talk about the fullfilling your passion is the way of praising God.
I'm just blown away by your expression of life ....i've listerned to this Unplugged CD *5 on the same day, so inspired...
You the ''Best of the Best'' believe dat | Reviewer: Venessa Rose from Jamaica | 8/28/2008
Lauryn hill I am a18 year old young lady who lives in Jamaica. My mom Angella has acollection of all artiste included u. From ever since Itook up ur Album it's like I could feel ur pain. u are truly a ''Genius'' I love ur work and I uope 1 day u may come 2 Jamaica and visit me in Kingston. Continue 2 do ur best and 2 do u and love life every single day cuz listen 2 me God made u Special he has a purpose 4 everyone of us. Ur music is so soulful it touches me and sometimes when I hear u sing it makes my heart full. I love and know every song on ur album and the one dat stands out 2 me is ''I used to love him'' I've may not experience any of what u sing about but I know what u mean. Blessup and E mail me back Ok Ok God's blessings go with u at all times 2 continue 2 do ur best and inspire more and don't ever be a ''Ststistic'' 4 any man.
"blessed is he who seeks the Lord" | Reviewer: steward of the Lord | 8/23/2008
first and foremost i give thanks and praise to God for out of the love He has for us He gave us His only beggotten son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life!
lauryn is as beautiful and gifted as she is because she is devoted to God and devoted to serving Him and exalting His name. she is truly blessed as she continues to glorify God's name!
just be true because God sees through every lie. be conformed to love and to His word and you too will be deeply blessed!
thanks for touching me and inspiring me!
lauryn, do what you do sister! God bless your journey!
Always loved..... | Reviewer: Shun4equality | 8/12/2008
To MS Lauryn Hill:
I am a young female from ALABAMA(Birmimgham). Where i am from... riding around listening to your album does'nt make me popular. but concious.. U know cuz people don't like the truth. They fight it ignore it and act as if it don;t exist. U as an artist have never betrayed DA TRUTH> That why i love you personally. U are one of the most beautiful (dark complexed) females ever. i loved u every since u appeared on Sister Act singing "his eye is on the sparrow"( so heart-felt)... Number 14 on your album has always gotten me through those rough days and nights.Its like prayer 2 me!! Me being a female of dark complexion, struggle, and unequality; your songs, your spirit, and your humanity has really blessed ME!I just hope one day my spirit can be as beautiful as yours. u are a inspiration.. Let it be known, Miseducation Lauryn Hill...was gift to my ears. I'll play my album till the speakers pop."And deep in my heart the answer it was in me
And I made up my mind to find my own destiny" These are some of the words of inspiration and spirit u have embeded in my heart..... i just discovered SELAH...The words used in this song can't b explained!!MEDation and Praise!!!..... I whole heartly love u. hope to see u soon. God bless u. God PLEASE bless my spirit to be like Hers! cuz the Lord has truly blessed Ms Lauryn Hill....Its a honor to speak of her and 2 voice how i feel about Ms Hill, Words just can't explain...."Please save me form myself so i can heal":-)
Your #1 fan
SHUN 4 Equality
strong women | Reviewer: Ms.Armani | 2/8/2008
I would like to thank Lauren Hill for being who she truly is ....She's a women of real beauty,who smiles in trouble and gathers strength from distress and grows brave by reflection and prayers...and that's what I admire most about her.
much love.
this is how i feel :) | Reviewer: ri ri | 12/10/2007
i love ex factor....i listen to it about a million times a day. im in love with all your songs. i think you really grow to love songs when they have something to do with your life, and when you can sing along. im a fan of yours.
I'm here to let you know how I feel about you. | Reviewer: Brooklynn | 11/28/2007
Dear Lauryn Hill,
I am 10 years old and you inspire me so much u wouldn't believe how much of a fan I am. I know all your songs on miseducation of lauren hill even the rapps and I love them and every day I listen to it in the mornings and night to keep my mind on my self and my dream to become the 2 lauryn hill and I'll be right beside you singing my hearth out you and my mother just inspire me so much and this dream of mine will come true no matter what. I've been singing and listing to you albums for a long time my mom still listens to you albums and don't you ever in your life think that you can't do anything you could make somebody cry by singing. And I thankyou for writing songs about how you feel and about your baby It just makes the moms who didn't keep there baby make them feel like I should have kept them please read these your a true poet love you 1 fan
the best female artist | Reviewer: Kelle | 11/21/2007
Dear lauryn,
let me start off by saying,"your the best female artist".You have such a wonderful voice that not only touches hearts but souls.I hope you read this .And i hope you come out with something soon.
she rocks | Reviewer: Patrick Roberts | 11/21/2007
Lauryn Hill is talented in music as well as true soul. She's got talent and insight that can only be from God. She doesn't need to "come back"... she's already way ahead! more info at www.BooksByPatrick.com
Lauryn Hill rocks | Reviewer: Patrick Roberts | 11/21/2007
Lauryn Hill is talented in music as well as true soul. She's got talent and insight that can only be from God. She doesn't need to "come back"... she's already way ahead! more info at www.BooksByPatrick.com
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Review the Artist Lauryn Hill
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