ALRIGHT EVERYONE, put your phones away, and pay attention because class is now in session! Ms. Lauryn Hill’s debut solo record in 1998, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” is here to teach us on how vibrant this record is, and still resonates to this date. First of all to me, It’s a timeless classic. But for me, at the time, I wasn’t really into it. I was more into your classic rock and roll bands, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, you get the gists. But, the 90’s rhythm and blues scene, I wasn’t really digging, until this year in 2024. During this summer, I re-dared myself to continue discovering and rediscovering music. Any genre, or style, no limits or borders. NADA. And the best part is, I can’t believe that I stopped doing that in 2023, well, I was going through a difficult situation, but 2024 is when I got back up, and continued this mission. 

I’ve already seen the cover of Hill’s record at different record stores, and I’ve always been impressed by it. It’s just a  classroom desk with Ms. Lauryn Hill’s face engraved into it. And what’s funny about this, was it never dawned on me to pick up a copy, even after being impressed by the record. Sheeeesh!  But, let me tell you that, after I picked it up, and listened to it, I loved it. PERIOD. There’s a-lot of emphasis in Hill’s vocal’s, her tone is direct, you can’t hide from it because it comes at you. And please, talk to me about the beats behind every song, because they  just melt in your ears. But what’s crazy is Hill integrates pauses in between songs, giving the effect as if you’re sitting down in a classroom, hearing the children participating in a discussion with their teachers.

The record kicks off with “Lost Ones,” a sort of “slap in the face” to her former bandmate from The Fugees, Wyclef Jean. You can feel the emotions, and frustrations being poured out into the song, stating how she ain’t the loser at the end of the day. But, what caught my attention was this sort of upbeat tribute to her hometown in New Jersey called, “Every Ghetto, Every City.” The intro gave me this impression that it may be Stevie Wonder’s starting off the song. Sadly it’s not, but the melody is sweet. And, I can’t forget to tell you about one of my most favourite songs. Ms. Lauryn Hill cover of Franki Valli’s, and the 4 Seasons song, “Can’t Take My Eye’s Off of You (I Love You Baby).” Hill adds her own special take on this song. And this impressed me, because you’ve got a beat going off in the background. Cool. But, as she’s singing the lyrics, she finds a way to incorporate the melody of the song too in her tone.