Lauryn Hill first exploded onto the global music scene as a member of the Fugees. They swept the world because of their unique style and that girl,Lauryn Hill. Lauryn Hill has won a total of 8 Grammy Awards including 2 with the Fugees, 1 for her work on Santana's album "Supernatural" and 5 for her solo masterpiece -The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill-. In 1998 this album was released to mass success and rave reviews. With this album she revolutionized the R&B scene at the time paving the way for more female R&B artists.

On this album she plays with the issues of birth,depression and a failed relationship. This album is great because each song has a special thing to it. There is no doubting how creative Hill is on this album.

"Intro" starts off the album as well an intro as you can possibly get. Set at the beginning of a school day with a teacher calling the roll, it's hard to rate this "track" because nothing much happens musically. However it's a nice setting. This is basically the basis for the rest of the album as the title refers to her "miseducation". At the end of mostly every track on the album a little sort of interlude comes in as part of the track. These interludes are set at the school where Lauryn is supposed to be, but is not. 10/10

"Lost Ones" this is a perfect hip-hop track with a crazed beat that bounces all over the place. Lauryn's rapping is so solid here and definitely not commercial. That's what Ilike about Lauryn, she's a genius and never goes mainstream. 10/10

"Ex-Factor" is one of the best songs on the album. A very emotional song about a failed relationship this track has a very nice arrangement and Lauryn's voice is beautiful and harmonic in the chorus. 10/10

"To Zion" is the song about the birth of her child, featuring Santana on guitar this song is a very powerful song, Lauryn's vocal timbre is so beautiful I think I am listening to an angel serenade to me. 10/10

"Doo Wop (That Thing)" is the most mainstream song on this album but is suprisingly genius. Her biggest hit from her solo masterpiece. This song doesn't use samples and is very feminine in places. 10/10

" Superstar" is not the best song on the album but I like it, the chorus here is very jazzed up and cool. She really is a superstar in her own right. 10/10

"Final Hour" is such a fresh song, Lauryn can do ballads and fresh hip-hop equally as well as each other. On this track she proves herself again. This track in very in-your-face.
10/10

"When It Hurts So Bad" is the perfect Hill ballad that signifies her lyrical and musical strength. Here she does no wrong. 10/10

"I Used To Love Him" features a very strong Mary J. Blige,I've always liked how their harmonies are so strong and this duet flows well. 10/10

"Forgive Them Father" is a reggae hip-hop infusion and works incredibly well. I love this song. 10/10

"Every Ghetto, Every City" is where Hill brings back her childhood memories and shares them with us, lyrically the strongest song on the album this track rocks. 10/10

"Nothing Even Matters" is a slow ballad featuring D'Angelo. Both of their voices gel well and are solid. 10/10

"Everything Is Everything" is possibly the coolest song on the album in the sense that I like everything about it, including the freakin cool video for it. 10/10

"The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill" is the most beautiful piano ballad ever, better than any other track on the album in the emotion catergory. 10/10

Two Bonus Tracks:
"Can't Take My Eyes Off You" is a rockin cover of a classic. 10/10
"Tell Him" is a cute end to a well formed masterpiece. 10/10

OVERALL GRADE: 10/10

Lauryn Hill has shaped hip-hop and R&B with this masterpiece.
This album breaks all conventions and musical boundarys possible.

Well Done Lauryn!

I don't see how anyone could direspect this album...every song is amazing and it would be amazing no matter what the critics said. None of that racist crap is true its all rumors...I can't wait for KHULAMI PHASE to be released this year...this is NOT a waste of money! It's amazing...
MY RATINGS:
1. "Intro" (10/10) there's not much to say because it's just and intro but it sets up the premise for the album
2. "Lost Ones" (10/10) my 2nd favorite rap song of all time
3. "Ex-Factor" (10/10) this didn't do that great as a single but it's a great song and it reminds me of a relationship i was once in
4. "To Zion (f/ Carlos Santana)" (10/10) as you probably know, this song's dedicated to her son, Zion, and it's one of the best songs on the album...she puts a lot of emotion into it
5. "Doo Wop (That Thing)" (10/10) the poppiest song on the album and has a really catchy chorus
6. "Superstar" (10/10) this songs a little cliche but every repectable rapper has this kind of song
7. "Final Hour" (10/10) they don't make mainstream rap songs like this anymore
8. "When It Hurts So Bad" (10/10) a powerful song about a relationship with one person not as committed as the other
9. "I Used To Love Him (f/ Mary J. Blige)" (10/10) I've always loved Mary so I knew I'd like this song and I did, there voices sound great together
10. "Forgive Them Father" (10/10) my favorite song on the album and my favorite song of all time
11. "Every Ghetto, Every City" (10/10) this is a really fun song that brings back memories for someone who grew up in a city around the time she's talking about
12. "Nothing Even Matter (f/ D'Angelo)" (10/10) a lot of people said this was the best song they've ever heard in 10 years...well I wouldn't go THAT far but it's a great song. D'Angelo sounds amazing. The only thing i don't like about this song is in the middle theres a chain-saw sound that scares the sh*t out of me when I hear it
13. "Everything Is Everything" (10/10) my 3rd favorite song on the album
14. "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" (10/10) my 2nd favorite song on this album...it used to be my 1st
BONUS. "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" (10/10)a great cover
BONUS. "Tell Him" (10/10) someone told me that this was live but I don't think it is, but whatever it's a good song

For years Lauryn Hill was known as L-Boogie. A dominating and beautiful female rapper whose lyrics were considered as complex as those of rap's elite Tupac, Nas, Rakim, and Guru. Her voice had all the grit, passion, and street sensibility of the most hardcore male rapper, yet she still manager to be beautiful. And L-Boogie could sing too, she could really hold on tune.

When her group the Fugees first came out with Blunted on Reality, they bombed big time and were treated as a joke group. It seems like they switched the sophomore jinx up, experiencing that on their first album, so that when the sophomore album hit, it hit big. They sold more than 17 million copies won several Grammy's and were superstars. Lauryn really demonstrated how beautiful her voice was on the hit remake of Roberto Flack's Killing Me Softly. BUT NOTHING from the Score could have prepared the music community for the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

Instantly it became a classic, with four hit singles, Can't Take My Eyes Off you, Doo Wop (That Thing), Ex-Factor, and Lost One propelling it forward. It's eclectic blend of sounds and styles was genius, but it was that voice, that nearly immaculate voice that propeled Lauryn into the ranks of the great.

The album opens with an intro that shows Lauryn cutting class. When the teacher calls her name, she's no there to say present. This incidicates that what she's about to tell you, are things she couldn't learn in a world of academia alone. These are life lessons.

Next is Lost Ones, usually considered an album opening slice at her bandmate Wyclef Jean, who was usually considered the genius of their group Fugees. She opens with "It's funny how money change the situation, miscommunication leads to complication" Significantly a host of male voice (the Marley Boys, she's married to one of Bob Marley's sons) open this track by repeating her Fugees' name L-Boogie, and you can't help but feel they're saying to indicate her indenpendance. When the Fugees reunited at Dave Chappelle's block party in 2004, she even performed this song: Wyclef sat in a chair strumming his guitar to it, rolling his eyes while Lauryn and Pras walked around him in circles as if directing it to him, perhaps a confirmation that it was intended as a swipe at Wyclef. It's a great political and spiritual message that accompanies this song.

Next is one of the most passionate songs you'll ever encounter. Ex-Factor. Usually famous singers like Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston would start off quiet and then build to a grand crescendo. Lauryn starts off on a grand crescendo and builds to a tidal wave. This song's lyrics are so simple and yet so emotional that they alone can move you, but when coupled with her soulful voice, so thick with emotion that it drips honey coated tears, and sunwashed memories, one can't help by cry along with her, "Who do I have to be to get some reciprocity, see no one loves you more than, and no one ever will".

Next is an ode to her son Zion, named after him. She displays her full three to four octave voice range, and her dynamics going from soft and low to voluminous and loud towards the end of the song. And directly at the end she hits a note so high, you didn't know she had it in her. The martial drums and grand production only serve to highlight her song of how a young mother at the height of fame chose love, even if it might cost her her career. Subsequent events bore witness to the fact that it cost her nothing at all.

Doo Wop (That Thing) is the biggest hit of the album, and not suprisingly one can see why. The backing music is catchy to the point it is infectious, and her lyrics deliver awareness of social issues but still enough street credibility to avoid being preachy, she's just sharing. The chorus is catchy and displays her sweet voice.

The next song Superstar is a call-out to bad rappers and musicians who hands down suck at making music. Her lazy delivery and demeanor on this song is purposeful, as she says, "Music is supposed to inspire, how come we ain't getting no higher".

Final Hour is a display of Lauryn's unique vocabulary and wordplay at it's best. Hands down she's on top of her game, mixing words together in the third verse that you don't expect possible: I'mma get the mozzarella, like a Rockafella, still be in the church of Lalibella, singing hymns a capella, whether posed in Arabela in Couture, or collecting residuals from off the score, I'm making sure I with the 144 (in reference to the 144,000 who will be allowed into heaven), I been here before this ain't a battle this is war". Deep

When It Hurts So Bad is an emotional love-lost song to rival Ex-Factor for emotion and vocal delivery, but it still comes short of Ex-Factor's intensity.

I Used to Love Him is a duet with singer Mary J. Blige about redemption after a lost love

Forgive Them Father is a beautiful song with an absolutely gorgrous vocal delivery. But like Lauryn's hardcore style, she makes it a little rough around the edges by giving it a Jamican reggae feel, a Jamaican speech introduction from Shelly Thunder. In addition, in the credits Lauryn reveals that the music is actually a modern interpretation of Concrete Jungle by her father in-law Bob Marley, and if you listen you'll see that the beat is similar and the music is practically a direct copy except for some subtle changes to make hers unique. A great song here with political and spirtual messages.

Every Ghetto, Every City is a feel good song of nostaligia and days of old, reveling in her childhood years.

Nothing Even Matters is a professio of a love so strong that nothing else matters. A duet with D'Angelo, it reveals their two voices melding together perfectly.

Everything is Everything is a positively charged song with a great message, an absolute infectious party groove, and a dedicated vocal delivery from Lauryn. Current star John Legend provided the piano on this track.

The title track actually completes the album, and you'll see why. Gorgeous piano arpeggios, tremolos, trills, and crescendi (plural for crescendo, yes I'm a musician :-) ) fill out this track complete with strings and a background sound effect that replicates the crackling sound of an old LP giving this record a very nostalgic 60's Sam Cooke Change is Gonna Come, or Bob Dylan Blowing in the Wind feel. Lauryn's vocal delivery here is spectacular here and emotional, giving us a glimpse of things to come from her second album Unplugged: the way she fills out this track with nothing but her voice and a piano is prophetic of the material she will bring 3 years later with the prophetic and revolutionary album, Unplugged 2.0.

The two hidden tracks are Can't Take My Eyes of You, a remake and a beautiful one, and finally Tell Him, a remix of the Sweetest Thing, with the same beat, just made a lil better, new words, new melody, but the same guitar and mellow feel as the Sweetest Thing. One could suffice to say Tell Him is a modern interpretation of the Sweetest Thing.

I've said enough, I believe. Get the album. This is music at it's peak form. It doesn't get any better than this, and it never will. At least I don't think so :-)

-Terrence

Lauryn Hill...The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill....

After having this album in my collection for a long time,i took the time to listen to it properly...and the experience was fresh and reviving!

The Miseucation Of...looks at, explores and covers gritty issues, which in particular face Afo-Carribean American people. Lauryn Hill relates to the listener the issues that irked her, that she grew up with and faced in life.Yet the album is not solely for Afro-Carribean people..it can touch the heart of any person who enjoys quality music which is brave enough to sing the crimes and pains of a race, of love, of relationships and growing up.

Lauryn Hill has a blessed voice, her vocals are comparable to great songstresses Whitney Houston, Mairah Carey, Brandy Norwood and Aretha Franklin. Her voice is strong, consistent, powerful and touching. You feel soul and blues from her voice, vocals of honey and caramel she sings and raps on a album which is in esscence 'scritpure meeting hip hop'. The sexy swauve female displays her talent in Writing and Producing the vast majority of this Grammy Winning album. Determined, in the face of hardship and obstacles to produce a classic, Lauryn did just that. The album has sold in excess of 9million albums in the USA alone (RIAA).

Every track demands its own respect and time. From the superbly sung tracks to the spitting hot rapped tracks the songs all demonstrate a artist who can stand and deliver! The key tracks for me were:

Zion- Rejoicing the birth of her son, amazing lyrics and accompanied by jazzy smooth guitar beat from Santana. The vocals are amazing and powerful.

Doo Woop (That Thing)-A combo of Rap and Song, the track is uptempo and fresh. Polished off will hot vocals and intruging lyrics

Superstar- One of the best hip hop tracks on the album, bitter sharp rhymes with Lauryn distinct style of rapping

When It Hurts So Bad- A slow sad song, deep soothing vocals, brandishing her ability to bring to life, her pain and heartache. The beat is shifting and mellow

I Used To Love Him- Mary J lends her voice to this track, a speechless collab of great voices! Superb quality music with fresh lyrics, the song carries you away with the beat.

Forgive Them Father- Hip Hop meets Scriture, the track is heartfelt and sung with anguish yet optimism. Here Lauryn again sings and raps perfectly.

The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill- A song which is pure intoxicant. Here Lauryn leaves you dumbstruck, she in 4.17 seconds displays to the critics, haters and pain inducers that she can sing, she has risen from the shadows and it is her time to shine...

This album is a must have, some of the best music i have ever listened to!

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is a CD filled with very upbeat and happy songs, and songs that are really touching and personal.Lauryn Hill was the lead singer of the Fugees but left to create a solo album. While listening to the album, you have little clips of school life in her world. Some of the best songs are To Zion, a song about her son, Zion. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is a really slow song that really gets into your soul. Everywhere I go, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill has 5 star rating. As it should! One of my favorite albums in my collection, I wish Lauryn didn't leave the R&B/Soul scene. She is truly popular in every aspect. I really think that she shows how music should be today. Personally, music today has no class. Lauryn Hill is a true blue artist that doesn't overdo her music. Lauryn's vocals and the music is in perfect balance (another example of this is Rachael Yamagata's Happenstance). Singers today try to sing over the music, but all they do is scream. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is a really good CD that should be known around the world.