The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - Life, Love, and Lessons Unlearned (HHAW4WO)

When ruminating on the topics of faith and Hip-Hop, its difficult to reflect for very long without thoughts turning to Lauryn Hill. Even from the start of her rap career it was obvious to many that L-Boogie would have a major impact on Hip-Hop (“the girl should go solo, the guys should stop rapping...”), and even if she didn’t, her angelic voice and strong acting ability would probably carry her to stardom anyway. Following a both acclaimed and turbulent stint with the Grammy-winning trio the Fugees, L-Boogie would embark on her own musical individual examination of life, love, and lessons learned, calling this outstanding effort The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

From the moment L-Boogie first touched the microphone on the Fugees first album Blunted on Reality, she was poised to make a serious bid for the best female emcee crown. Nowhere is her deftness more evident than with her mic work on The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Following the intro, the album kicks off with the tasty reggae-flavored “Lost Ones,” which in addition to acting as a lyrical lighthouse for the souls who have lost their way, contains pointed jabs at ex-lover Wyclef Jean who was working hard to become a nascent P. Diddy at the time. “Final Hour” takes a more serious tone both musically and lyrically, the emcee’s words somehow managing to meld braggadocio with the warning to not place earthly concerns over spiritual ones. And concealed in the playful piano and captivating groove of the danceable 1950’s early rock and roll soundscape for “Doo Wop (That Thing),” the hazards of promiscuity for males and females are addressed with both skill and decorum. She raps: “showing off your a** because your thinking it's a trend/ girlfriend, let me break it down for you again/ you know I only say it because I'm truly genuine/ don't be a hard rock when you really are a gem.”

But with Lauryn Hill’s considerable mic prowess, it’s easy to forget that she’s a superb songstress as well. She covers the standard ‘love and loss’ themes that permeate most soul and r&b albums with songs such as “Nothing Even Matters.” Performing with Angie Stone’s baby daddy D’Angelo on this charming duet, the two skilled vocalists trade verses putting the enormity of love into perspective. As expected, D’Angelo is manning the keys on this slow ballad, his velvety tones perfectly complimenting Hill’s flawless runs. Teaming up with the queen of Hip-Hop Soul Mary J. Blige, “I Used To Love Him” tackles failed romances of the two, both divas enchanting with their heartfelt recitals. However, with its simple layering of a bass groove over recognizable rap loops and layered vocal harmonies, musically the track clearly takes more of a page from Mary J’s book than Lauryn Hill’s. L-Boogie also covers the typical rose-colored-glasses back-in-the-day jam with “Every Ghetto, Every City,” describing her chaotic, but fun-filled childhood in New Jeruz over a funk-imbued track.

However, Lauryn Hill’s vocals shine most brightly when they’re illuminating her faith. “Forgive Them Father” puts a pious spin on the familiar theme of backstabbers, breaking down the Judas dynamic both in song and in rhyme over Caribbean-style guitars and drums. She puts the lesson in simplest terms toward the end, “A friend once said, and I found to be true/ that everyday people, they lie to God too/ so what makes you think that they won't lie to you? ” Then, perseverance is the theme for “Everything Is Everything,” the track lush with emotive strings, commanding beats, and swift scratches. Finally, perhaps the most powerful song on Miseducation, “To Zion” is a dedication to the singer’s son, relating how family, friends, and business associates implored the L to abort her child in favor of furthering her then-burgeoning career. Fortunately she stayed true to her faith, both in God and in herself, and chose to keep her son. In my opinion God definitely rewarded her faith, evidenced by the multitude of awards Lauryn Hill was showered with for her work on this album.

Preachers are fond of saying that life only exists in three phases: being about to enter a storm, actually being in the storm, and emerging from the storm. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill shows L-Boog’s life in all three phases, and shows us how her unswerving faith in God helped push her through it all. Combining this innate inspiration with airtight production, skilled emceeing, and beautiful singing, there’s no mystery as to why this album was met with a deluge of critical acclaim. L may be getting a little funny on us now, but for this one moment, on this one album, she was perfect.

Track Listing:
01. Intro
02. Lost Ones
03. Ex-Factor
04. To Zion
05. Doo Wop (That Thing)
06. Superstar
07. Final Hour
08. When It Hurts So Bad
09. I Used To Love Him
10. Forgive Them Father
11. Every Ghetto, Every City
12. Nothing Even Matters
13. Everything Is Everything
14. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
15. Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You [bonus]
16. Sweetest Thing (Mahogany Mix) [bonus]


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This review is an entry into the 4th Annual Hip-Hop Appreciation Week Write-Off, hosted by me. The purpose of Hip-Hop Appreciation Week (May 16 -23) is to help decriminalize Hip-Hop's current public image and to promote the true unity of the culture so that Hip-Hoppers may form a "common spirit" amongst each other. This year the theme for Hip-Hop Appreciation Week is Faith. For more information on Hip-Hop Appreciation Week or the write-off, feel free to check out my profile page, read the contributions of the other write-off participants, and/or visit the Temple of Hip-Hop at www.templeofhiphop.org.