There is a plethora of new rappers who have appealed to the Afro-centric crowd during the last 20 years, but no one has come close to touching Lauryn Hill. And today, May 26, Lauryn Hill celebrates her 44th birthday.
Hill has been successful in music for almost her entire life. She achieved major success as a member of the Fugees with their 1996 album The Score. The collection went six times platinum and is considered a hip-hop classic album among rap purists.
The trio included Wyclef Jean and Pras, both impressive artists in their own right. But many critics have long-since considered Hill to be the most talented of the group. As a rising rap star, she rhymed better than any of them on songs like ”Fu-Gee-La” and “Family Business”, while at the same time singing with a big, soulful, dynamic voice on “Killing Me Softly.”
Follow the Fugees up with a great solo female production, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, a resounding look at inner city life, romance and motherhood, and you have a true star. Hill’s lone solo studio album went eight times platinum. It also won Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards in 1999.
10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Lauryn Hill
Number Ten: Lauryn Hill is Secretive
She likes to keep to herself and isn’t always crazy about the spotlight. For these reasons, she doesn’t usually perform in the United States and rarely gives interviews.
Number Nine: She Thinks the Music Industry Should Nurture the Gifts of Singers
Lauryn Hill stopped making albums for an entire eighteen years. When asked about this, she said it was because the music industry stopped doing its part to help singers grow.
Number Eight: She Disappeared from the Scene in ’99
For a while, she didn’t appear in public life. Her fans traded rumors that she had had a breakdown of sorts. She was a busy mother, which could have had something to do with this.
Number Seven: Don’t Call Her ‘Lauryn’
She prefers not to be addressed by her first name. Instead, if you ever meet the singer, call her “Ms. Hill.”
Number Six: Ms. Hill Grew Up Singing Along to Male Vocalists
Among these singers is Stevie Wonder. To this day, she tries to improve upon her voice all the time and get better at her craft.
Number Five: She Gets High Off Creative Insight
People have described a special sensation when listening to Lauryn sing. She claims that she feels this special sensation first, and that it gives her an inspired high feeling.
Number Four: When It Comes to Her Influence Over Fans…
She was asked if it feels like she has a responsibility to uphold in regards to how much she
inspires people. She says she thinks about it, yet doesn’t think about it.
Number Three: Health and Wholeness are Important to Her
Lauryn is well aware of the fact that she has an extraordinary gift; her voice. She does not take this lightly at all, and makes sure she takes care of herself first and foremost in order to respect that gift.
Number Two: She Hopes Her Fearlessness is Infectious
Although she recognizes that people appreciate her talent, she wants to be more than that. Ms. Hill would like her fearlessness to be inspiring and contagious.
Number One: Creative Addiction
Back when Lauryn was making a lot of music in the ’90s, she described it as a compulsion or a creative addiction. We hope you enjoyed our list of facts.
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