'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill' became the first album in history by a female rapper to earn a Diamond certification. The former Fugees member has sold over 22 million copies of her lauded solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, making her the first female MC to go diamond.
2 years ago on (February 16, 2021), the RIAA made it official:
“Welcome to the RIAA Diamond Club @MsLaurynHill! #TheMiseducationofLaurynHill is now a (10X) certified album! @ColumbiaRecords #BlackHistoryMonth #RIAATopCertified.”
Released in August 1998, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill arrived two years after The Fugees had attained mainstream success with The Score. But creative and personal differences within the group tore them apart a year later and Hill ultimately embarked on a solo career.
Hill accomplished this in the 16-song album through honest lyrics and a perfect fusion of styles and melodies.
This album was not only revolutionary for its sound, fusing hip-hop, R&B, soul and reggae but also its success. It opened to more than 420,000 copies in first week sales, making it the best-selling debut week for a female artist at the time. The project received critical acclaim, five Grammys and went platinum eight times.
Few albums before — or since — have been able to combine a genuine artistic effort and massive commercial success. In that sense, Hill was a pioneer.
In 2015, the Library of Congress added Miseducation to the National Recording Registry —
Listen to The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill down below.
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