Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)

Rating: 9.5/10

One thing I wanted to do through this blog was to expose albums that I have been brought up by that have made changed me. And from that, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was hands down the first I wanted to discuss.

So a bit of background on this young lady at the time. Lauryn was going through a torrential time with partners in the infamous group The Fugees. In fact when Lauryn proposed to the band that she were to do a solo album, there was little support from the group, including the father to her future child, Wyclef Jean.

However, it was afflictions such as above that pushed her to produce a solo album. Miseducation was to be made as a personal diary to her, expressing deep emotions on situations that were also affecting young black americans during this period. Lauryn was in fact the humble narrator, enfused with her own personal dilemmas. However this album was not a simple heart-on-sleave representation on Lauryn's life, in fact, it was the opposite.

One of the greatest addictions to this album is its positive perspective on the individual. Lyrically, the album is so succint, that it seems no number of political advisors could redraft what is said as well as Lauryn did, when she spoke her truth. She does not back away from any subject, from abortion and politics, to love and betrayal.

Also from the appeal of Lauryn came some great support in making this record, from internationally known artists such as D'Angelo, Mary J Blige and Carlos Santana. However even they could not overshaddow the clear talent that was expressed by Lauryn Hill who. with or without some exceptional production, excelled.

What is so great about this album is that I truly believe that anyone, no matter what background, can find strong relevance. Miseducation expresses where Lauryn's emotion and devotions in life are, to the extent of carrying us into her world. For me, this album could often not be left on the shelf for a few months, but if I were to be asked "what would be the most influential album in your life?", well you get the point!

Hear - To Zion