The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

This album is a masterpiece, unifying elements of R&B, hip-hop, rap, and soul/gospel masterfully. The opening pairing of 'Lost Ones' and 'Ex-Factor' are stripped down tracks that put Lauryn's rap bone fides and vocal power front and center, setting the tone for the whole album to come. Ms. Hill's performance on each track is impeccable, even the chorus parts that she recorded for the background hypes and harmony.

The lyrical content of this album is clearly very personal and speaks to experience that everyone can connect with at a similar level. It must have been hard to put all of that honesty and emotion into this work, have it become a worldwide success, and then compelled to tour the world singing it over and over again. I can't imagine how artists doing it and maintain authenticity and their own connection to the work.

And ultimately, that is what makes this a bittersweet album for me too. Ultimately, something went awry for Ms. Lauryn Hill, and she has suffered for it. It highlights the parasitic aspect of fandom in an uncomfortable way. Artists are who they are, and their work is what it is, and we need to be careful to not lose sight of them as people, especially when things get difficult.

Better than I expected. 3.5/5

i understand it's good, but it's not my thing

A masterpiece. Hip-Hop, RnB, Soul just brilliant, an album that has lasted and will continue the last the test of time and will influence many more to come. 5 Stars.

Heel goede r en b met mooi love thema en zonder teveel gefoefel heel eerlijk

Thought I liked this one but in listening to it again I think I love it. Never owned this one back in the day cause one of my roommates had it and it was so ubiquitous anyway. But this really is a masterfully crafted album of it's era. Got that "cinematic" Fugees sound steeped in soul. It's impressive that she carries the weight of this long album pretty much single handedly. Though I love Wyclef's The Carnival, this may be the best Fugees solo album. Easily my favorite female hip hop artist and one of my favorite albums by a female artist. So strong, so honest, so intense. Feels deeply personal. She gave it her all on this album. In a class of her own.

Very nice modern R&B album. I liked it most because I can recognize many influences in some very good songs that I like (Alicia Keys for example).