Ms. Lauryn Hill

Before her musical talents were unleashed onto the world, Lauryn Hill found moderate success as a young actress, starting alongside Whoopi Goldberg in the feature film “Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit”. However her career changed whilst attending Columbia High School, where she formed a hip-hop group with fellow student, Pras Michel, and his cousin Wyclef Jean, called “Tranzlator Crew” in 1992.

After gaining record label attention through live gigs and demo’s, the group was picked up by Columbia Records. They eventually released their debut album “Blunted On Reality” in 1994 under the now famous moniker of “The Fugees” (in reference to Michel and Jean’s Haitian heritage” Whilst the album struggled commercially and critically due to its “gangsta rap” direction, Hill, under her “L.Boogie” persona caught the attention of critics and fans alike.

When the group was given a second change by label execs, they did not disappoint, and their second album “The Score” was a smash hit, reaching number one on charts around the world, and certified six times platinum, whilst receiving the adulation of music critics for its alternative hip hop sound and politically charged focus. At the center of the groups success was Hill, with her smooth and recognizable singing voice and sharp rap lyrics often standing out on hit tracks such as “Ready or Not” or the Grammy winning “Killing me Softly”.

Following on from the breakout success of the Fugees, all the members decided to take a solo path. Lauryn finally gave the fans what they wanted with the release of her debut solo album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” in 1998 an R&B project which featured tracks such as “Doo Wop (That Thing)” which touched on personal subjects such as her failed personal relationship with Wyclef Jean and the pressures of being a young single mother. The album made Hill a superstar, as it received universal acclaim, exceptionally high sales figures and an incredible five Grammy’s including “Best Album”, unprecedented for a Hip-Hop album in the 90’s.

Since her success and the international tour that followed, Hill has kept herself out of the public eye, citing the stress of being a celebrity too much to handle, and has instead focused on raising her six children. Despite her decision, many music fans around the world are hopeful for her much awaited comeback.