Thank You Lauryn Hill

Ever since Rolling Stone released their “Top 500 greatest rap album of all time list, social media has been abuzz. Most of the conversation was centered around one particular album that topped the list: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. 

The Miseducation took the number 10 spot on the list, higher than any other rap album. There were many opinions on the placement and whether or not the album should be considered a rap album at all. As a biased fan who loves The Miseducation, I would champion the album if it topped the greatest country albums of all time list… #loyal. So while the social media critics decide how Ms. Hill’s epic album should be honored, let’s look at the success and impact it’s had since it’s August 1998 release:

• debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 422,624 copies in its first week, which broke a record for first-week sales by a female artist 
• “Doo Wop (That Thing)”, the lead single, peaked at number one in the US, with the other two singles “Ex-Factor” and “Everything is Everything” peaking within the top 40
• The Miseducation was a sold-out, worldwide concert tour
• praised for Hill’s presentation of a woman’s view on life and love, along with her artistic range
• Earned 10 nominations at the 41st Grammys… winning five made Hill the first woman to receive that many nominations and awards in one night
• Won the Grammy for both Best New Artist and Album of the Year in the same night
• the album’s success propelled Hill to international superstardom, and contributed to bringing hip hop and neo soul to the forefront of popular music
• first hip hop artist to appear on the cover of Times magazine in 1999
• reached sales of 8 million copies in the US and over 19 million copies worldwide in 2013
• included by the Library of Congress in the National Recording Registry in 2015

Of course there are many more awards, nominations, accolades, and legacy to be discussed in regards to this album, but I believe you get the picture. Whether you want to categorize it as the greatest rap album, or greatest R&B, or Neo-soul, or what have you….. one thing that can’t be disputed is that The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is certainly one of the greatest, most legendary, albums of all time period. Thank you Lauryn Hill.