The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

Good

The album was fine, an interesting listen for sure. No takeaways, but definitely feels ahead of its time for a 1998 album. Also heard some sound bits that are used in more modern songs, so can definitely feel the influence there.

Day 1, overall a good album and it was great to listen to something different to what I would usually go for. She has such a beautiful voice that sounds so peaceful and expressive. The bass in some of the songs sound so great and the talking at the start of the tracks adds a distinct sound to their music. However, I rated it a 3/5 because the album I have to admit is very long. When you’re listening to it all together I found myself checking how many more songs I had left to listen to, just because the songs became a bit repetitive and I enjoyed the first half of the album more. Also I didn’t enjoy the crackling sound on one of the tracks, that I have to admit put me off a bit. Plus, I weren’t mind blown so that’s another reason why it’s 3/5. Some of the songs were so beautifully made and sounded like so much soul and love was put into it, also this album has made me want to listen to more r&b and soul.

Never heard this, but I see it all the time in "best album" threads. Reviews here make it sound like a "you had to be there" phenomenon. It sounded like an ok R&B album, nothing outstanding to my ears. I never enjoy skits. This was fine, not best album ever category.

Whoever wrote the interludes on this album needs to start a career in comedy ASAP. Highest three stars ever, just not four.

As someone who, historically has not been a fan of LH, this was better than I expected,

*She has a great voice but I don't think this album shows all that it can do, as it gets a little one dimensional at times. *I would give this a 3.5 if I could *Some great features and solid tracks, but feels a little long at times as well

Heard the singles obviously, stands on the list, so a pleasant change. Has a nice flow to it, I can ignore the religious stuff, skipping the concept parts too, 90s cd album bloat. The longer it goes on, the less I like it. 2.5 rounded uo Heard before? Some Owned: Yes. 79/311 (25%) Will I get: No

It was okay. I’m just not a big fan of Hip Hop.

Now I know what neo soul is. Kinda like it. Not a fan of the talking sections, but that didn’t bother me. The music is well done. I won’t be adding this to my regular rotation, but would enjoy ocassional listens.

Talented girl but not my style...and she needs to pay her taxes

Baustelle, Gerstetten, Deutschland. Immerhin hörbar.

Overrated

A strong album dragged down by a lot of bloat.

Jeg syns denne er litt vanskelig å bedømme. Skjønner at det skal være bra, men jeg kjeder meg så mye og syns det er litt mye vokalrunk

I think this is a good album, even if I'm not as high on it and others. I want to like it more than I do. I think the Fugees were a really cool mix of hip-hop, R&B, and reggae, and while this continues that mix, I think it leans too heavily on a 90s R&B sound I'm not always the highest on. "Lost Ones" does rule, but unfortunately, it's the first actual song on the album and nothing else really touches it. "Everything is Everything" is probably the other standout, though I do like some of the other songs pretty well. 3.5 stars.

I was excited for this as I remember when it came out I loved it. I feel it has aged badly. Still some truly great songs. I find the inbetween songs bits utterly pointless. Was expecting great, but just good

The music was great but just not my favorite genre.

I know this is the top of a lot of “best albums” lists…& I get it culturally n stuff but gd the song “killing me softly” turned me off of her voice forever. Something about that song is the antithesis of the brainwaves. Immediate bad mood.

It’s enjoyable and there is plenty of quality but it’s far too long, I think if this was trimmed down somewhat, it could be something I’d be keen to return to.

Really torn about this one. Some excellent tracks, and fits together really well as an album. But also a bunch of tracks that just annoy me.

I think I remember loving it more. Israel lyric JUMPSCARE!!! 3 stars seems harsh maybe 3 and three quarter stars lol

I don't understand this album, like it is good and it sounds beautiful, but it really didn't click with me. Maybe it's the lack of melodies (which her work in the Fugees applies a bit more, but this album is better than the Score), the length or something else I can't point my finger at. Her rapping pairs well with her easy-to-listen-to voice. I wouldn't say this was the Greatest album ever (calling you out, Apple), but I can see why people like it.

I enjoy the music but don’t really connect with the lyrics as much.

not my cup of tea X very long

Estuvo bueno pero ya me está cansando un poco el género 6/10

The skits are of their time and the music is a bit full blown and tends to slap you around the chops, but when Lauren decides to sing then her great voice comes across well. Overall I'd say OK crossing into good at times.

Herinneringen, maar niet meer dan dat.

Niet mijn ding maar wel gewoon goed

Not great, not terrible.

No. 181 The classroom samples were really cool and furthered the message of love. Never really got into soul, but I think this was good.

まあまあ

I think I understand more why this album is so highly regarded. There are some great songs here.

It's a decent album, but there's just nothing here that interests me. It sounds like a lot of other stuff in this genre.

NJ AGAIN BABY! MAPLEWOOD NUMBA ONE. If only she remembered to pay her taxes. Unfortunately this album is not really for me. I’m not a huge fan of the style. The interludes are really good though. Ivy hill and Springfield Ave mentioned! Maplewood/newark represent. Latter half of the album is good. Can’t take my eyes off you cover was really good.

Not my favorite genre, and not my generation, but I can see why this is so highly regarded.

I really like that the title track felt like the conclusive ending of the album and that the cover of Can't Take My Eyes Off of You felt like the album's own "credits music" after the fact That's about where my appreciation of the album peaks, though, I don't think I understand the level of hype around it. I guess the words are cool, is there something here that people also particularly like on a musical level? I dunno

2.6 So, it wasn't terrible, but it was pretty bad. Nice voice, lyrically a lot better than other 90s hip-hop outings, but that's where the positives end. Far too long, so many songs could have been cut (the cover of just too good to be true has B-side written all over it, who on earth decided that should pad out the album), the beats are extremely simplistic - basic drum track, slow bass, and a sample or two. Over and over again, for 16 tracks. The pointless interludes, couldn't even save my favourite track (Zion) down as the last 2 minutes is a schoolteacher having a chat with his students ffs. Not my genre, but even so, surely this is overrated? Seen it on so many best offs but not hearing it at all.

Good album, quite long

This album was so hyped up when it came out and I didn't listen to it then. When this came up on this list I was excited, that excitement faded fairly quick. There is too much filler on this album in my opinion, Lauren has a great voice but unfortunately there just wasn't enough here to get me to come back. This album is just ok.

This was Apple Music’s number one album of all time (not mine) This is not really my type of music, so while I appreciate its cultural ubiquity and significance (obviously Doo Wop That Thing is a great song) I don’t fully understand it all. I really liked Everything is Everything and Tell Him, and also liked hearing Ex-Factor for the sample that Drakw used in Nice For What (contextually much preferred it in Nice For What, also I think the best Drake song) I hope Lauryn is doing okay

I was holding my breath putting this on after I saw that album length, but this held my interest more than I was expecting. Pretty decent. Lauryn's voice is really fun to listening to when she's rapping, she's also a good singer but some of these melodies just kind of wandered around with no real destination. The skits didn't really work for me, they felt added on to try to tie everything together when really, the songs were good enough that they could've just stood on their own. I enjoyed it more than this shit-talking review I'm currently writing would imply.

A solid, soulful listen with real emotional backbone. Respect to Lauryn Hill for her strength and artistry. The R&B and soul sound hits right, but the constant religious references got in the way of a fuller connection.

Cool

The album was fine. I didn't mind the covers of "Killing Me Softly" and "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" as they were recognizable; however, she didn't make them so memorable that I would seek out her renditions. Close to the end of the album, I was checking to see how many more songs there were as my ears were getting tired of all the extra, and what I deemed, unnecessary notes. Her voice was pleasant enough. I found the talking at the end of some of the songs distracting, even though I got that it was to refer back to the album's concept of "mis-education".

chill. mellow. r&b. classic.

I actually forgot Ms Hill was the voice of the Fugees. Liked a lot of it a little, and a little bit of it a lot.

The first few songs are great, but after around track 5 or 6, they all start to run together and sound the same. It got pretty tiresome after a while, and a lot of the songs needlessly run past the five-minute mark. It’s a fine album, and a cool mix of genres, but I don’t quite get the adulation heaped on it in recent years.

Me gusto, se me hizo un poco repetitivo, pero es un album para hacerte una buena porra de pelo y hacer AHÁ AHÁA, IOU IOUU

Ok I enjoyed a few on here - ie youre just too good to be true - but other than that not my cup of tea

Thought the album started off great. 3-4 songs i had never heard that I really liked but kind of slowed down towards in the bulk of the middle to end for me.

I'd heard good things about this album, so I was excited to listen to it finally. Well, it definitely doesn't live up to the hype. A couple of good songs and a whole lot of filler.

Meh

no es mi onda pero las vocales son top

Despite not being my type of thing, this is so mellow and a delightful listen. The R&B based songs are stronger than the rap ones. And the classroom themed vignettes are a bit dated, however they do make it a concise album.

It’s a great concept album with interludes that keep it focused. She has such a fantastic voice and has good bars and rap chops to match. 3.6/5.0

Pa definitivno mi ovaj album nije promijenio život kao što je trebao koliko ga ljudi hvale. Ali nije ni toliko loš, šta znam. Mogao se skratiti dobrih 20 minuta kao i većina hip-hopa. Neke su pjesme bolje ali čini mi se samo one koje su svakako najveći hitovi, što sam već znala. Ok album sve u svemu.

Love, eh? I loved it when that D'Angelo was finally over.

Inicio de esta aventura con un gran álbum, con un gran impacto cultural y que me sorprendió para bien, no esperaba conocer alguna de las canciones, terminé guardando un par a la Playlist de este año. Muy recomendado.

Great album, but i feel that is missing something... Nice for a background ambient while have a fancy dinner!

No es mí género preferido, aún así es un álbum fácil de escuchar y bastante agradable

I didn’t find this to be anything exciting. I can hear the Jamaican influence which is neat. The singles are the best songs.

po 2 i pol piosenki stwierdzam ze nie chce mi sie twgo sluchac, nie ma tragedii ale nie koj gust bye

Not a big fan of rap, amazing voice, what a woman Lauryn Hill, love her.

5/10

Okay.

Gefällt mir nicht. Kenne keine Lieder von ihr, wünschte mir könnte das gefallen tho

3.4 stars.

Hasn't ages great. Wasn't too fond of the interludes but enjoyed the sample of the doors on superstar.

Good Soul & Rap album

Good Groove

Beatiful voice, amazingly funky and light melodies and rhythm, but it's nothing I would really listen to again (or at least 80% of the record isn't).

Rap sin más

Not my thing

Perhaps a victim of overhype, this album cover was immediately recognizable, and having never listened to this album my hopes were admittedly high. What's inside is a cool idea, a great example of interludes and what they can do for a concept album. Unfortunately, I was much more interested in the interludes than I ever really was in the music. And there's a good chance that this album just isn't for me, even if I'm generally a pretty big fan of R&B. I can tell that there's real passion here, messaging and themes that are deeply personal, but they just never landed on me, and the music isn't enough to bring me back. Highlight: Doo Wop (That Thing)

Why do these kinds of albums need to be almost an hour and 20 minutes long. If cds had had more space I'm sure it would have pushed an hour and a half. She has some good raps but then it devolves sometimes into boring neo-soul. Forgive me if I can't get into it.

There is strength in vulnerability. That principle might as well serve as the thesis of the album. At the time of its release, the work must have felt quietly revolutionary: a fusion of hip-hop and R&B that resisted the rigid genre and gender boundaries. The blend is unmistakably Lauryn Hill’s. Neither purely rap nor purely soul, but a space where confession, sermon, and rhythm coexist. On a technical level, the album is undeniably accomplished. The production is warm and deliberate, allowing Hill’s voice to remain the emotional center. The songwriting is precise without feeling ornamental; her lyricism moves with the cadence of lived experience. What distinguishes the album most, however, is its perspective. Hill writes unapologetically from a woman’s interior life: love and betrayal, spiritual reckoning, the tension between public ambition and private devotion. Her reflections on motherhood, particularly the decision to prioritize it over the machinery of fame. At the same time, the record gestures outward, grappling with the socioeconomic realities of Black communities and situating those struggles within a lineage of soul and R&B artists who came before her. For all its craft and emotional clarity, the album rarely speaks directly to my own sensibilities. I find myself distant from its central emotional anchors: motherhood, romantic devotion, the idea of belonging to a particular community as the core of one’s identity. My own instincts run in different directions. Toward detachment, toward mobility, toward a kind of global anonymity. None of this diminishes the album’s achievement. If anything, it clarifies its audience. This is a record for listeners who recognize themselves in its faith in love, in family, in the sustaining power of community. For such listeners, the album likely feels profound and affirming. I can admire it, respect its place in musical history. But its emotional language belongs, perhaps, to gentler souls than my own.

Очень приятный по звучанию R&B альбом с интересной концепцией. К сожалению, лично меня по-настоящему не зацепила ни одна из песен, но не могу поставить этому альбому ниже 4. Понимаю что это хорошая, качественная музыка. Просто не для меня.

I liked this, but didn’t find it as special as I’d remembered thinking it was at the time.

The first time I listened to this album, I did not really enjoy it. It may be one of the most overhyped hip hop albums of all time and I think I went in with too high of expectations. On this second listen, I liked it more, but I still don't think it's the masterpiece some people think it is.

Uh uh uh yo, 3 stars

I put off this review for almost a week because it's hard for me to say, after all these years, that I kind of think this album is a bit corny and overblown. There was a time in the late '90s when my buddy and I could rap every understandable lyric on The Score. We listened to it constantly. When I finally understood that we would not be getting a follow-up, I turned my excitement to the possibility of good solo albums. Wyclef Jean Presents The Carnival came first. It is a good record, but it didn't really appeal to me. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was released a year later. By that time, I was working at an independent record store in my hometown, and I was very excited for this album to come out. When it did, almost everyone loved it, including me. L-Boogie had something to say, and, from the fan's perspective, she laid down the gauntlet as being the most important female voice in hip-hop. After the triumph of "Miseducation," Lauren Hill kind of went off the rails. There was very little good news about her career. It wasn't just the press reporting on her cavalier attitude toward performing. Any of my friends who went to see her consistently reported that she started concerts hours late and showed disdain for the audience. I'm not mad at her for disliking live performances, but accepting gigs and then constantly disrespecting audiences is inexcusable. All these years later, and Hill's reputational damage makes songs like "Zion" and "Final Hour" feel less inspirational and more self-important. It's a fine line, but it makes me cringe, and I can't get past it now. Sadly, I have to give this album three stars.

Rp, de egész hallgatható

I had wanted to like the album more than I did. I guess the hype was too big to match? Maybe it’d grow on me in registers.

I prefer the 'straight rap' parts of the album, as opposed to the sung parts. Those aren't my style for the most part. Lost Ones is SO good - I was sure I'd heard this album straight through before but I don't remember this one. LOVE Doo Wop (That Thing), ESPECIALLY the way the horn and drums crash in at the start and throughout. Cool harmonies in the chorus of I Used to Love Him. Love the instrumentation in the verses of Forgive Them Father. Every Ghetto, Every City is really funky. Even though the song isn't my thing, Lauren's voice on Nothing Even Matters is incredible. The runs she does too! Tell Him is so sweet; it's a pity that there are so many runs; I would have preferred a really simple final song and the tune is enough to carry that.

slično kao i s the fugees, u kojima je lauryn hill bila - premda ne bih slušao, nije za mene, kvalitetan i raznovrstan album koji itekako mogu cijeniti

This album has been on my list for awhile (like, years). Glad I finally got around to listening to it. I always love an album that has dialogue in between songs becaues it makes it feel even more like a story. I personally felt like the middle was a bit slow, but the beginning and ending were great. I definitely have to take a look into the lyrics because I know they are a super important part of this album. Favorites - "Every Ghetto, Every City" to the end

ritmo musical que eu nao gosto

Timeless classic, great lyricist, but I don't like her vocals at rapping and that version of Can't Take My Eyes Off of You. Favorite Track: To Zion

bien pero no se si me volo la cabeza. para escucharlo de un tiron es medio lo mismo. igual... mis respetos

Es un disco espacioso, te permite pensar en la amplitud de una sala o un salón. Decididamente groovero pero con destellos de violencia. 6.50/10

I do enjoy this album and artist.

Ummmm. I know this is a classic but it doesn’t really hit except for the singles (which are mega jams). 3.5

Classic album. I do really enjoy this one. Enjoy her voice and the beats. It's good stuff. I don't see myself listening to this often but we definitely listen to it again.

Я обычно реп не люблю и редко слушаю, но этот прослушала даже с небольшим удовольствием, однако не мой жанр и под конец столо скучно 3 из 5

it's usualy

Don't love it, but it's pretty good

I’ve seen this on a lot of “best albums” lists over the years but never listened to it until now. I can see why it’s highly regarded even though it’s not really in my wheelhouse and it’s quite long.

groovy beats.

While Lauryn Hill is clearly talented, my opinion of her is a little maligned. She has an absolutely terrible reputation regarding her live shows and touring career, which is a point that will never sit well with me. I've heard constant reports over the years of her showing up late, wasted, not giving a shit or even just skipping shows altogether. There are countless examples of her alienating her fans so I never indulged her music beyond some of the surface level hits from her solo and Fugees career, despite being aware that Miseducation considered a hugely influential album. I'm glad I had a reason to give this a full listen as it is a very competent entry for female hip hop / R&B. It has the right level of swagger to contain some silky production and relatively smooth vocals from Ms. Lauryn Hill. The hits hold up pretty well and the overall theme woven throughout the album is evident and effective. The interludes with the teacher in the classroom are effective to help you feel like you are on the ride While a little long at 78 minutes, I didn't find myself suffering through any part of it which is a pretty big testament to its quality. Each of the songs and goes down smooth and worked whether you are following along with every lyric or enjoying at as passive background. Not something I expect I'll revisit with any regularity but glad to check this one off the list with a positive review. 2.96 stars

I appreciate this album is loved by critics and is widely considered a masterpiece. Unfortunately, it’s not a genre I particularly enjoy.

Yea alright!

Treig synging raske beats Soul like synge måte Til tider rappe aktig Mye repetivt synes jeg

Its not really my thing but I don't dislike it either. She's got a great voice and the album is very pleasant and soothing.

Pretty good as far as R&B albums go. It's not a genre that resonates with me but I like the mix of musical styles and instruments across the tracks. There are a few too many vocal runs for my liking and some songs are a bit too long but overall it was a pretty fun listen. I love the guitar and drums in To Zion, which was the highlight of the album.

There’s some generational hits in here that are elite on all levels, however I think this album could’ve been probably 20 minutes shorter and just as elite, a lot of songs were okay and dragged on.

A fun album. I thought the classroom setting idea was good and the songs were good. Nice listen.

Highly influential. Listening to this feels like I’m watching a movie about an inner city LA high school in the aftermath of the Rodney King riots… I want to like this album more. I’ve always been very aware of this album and, in conjunction with the enigmatic personality of Lauryn Hill herself, I think the album became larger than life. I honestly find it to be kind of low energy in places and overall just not something I want to listen to again. But I have to give credit for it’s influence and meaning to the genre itself.

Not my genre but Lauryn has a great voice and this is probably about as much as I could get into this type of music. They need to ease up on the snap track in nothing even matters

Haven’t heard this in a while, I bought it on the strength of the singles plus loved the fugues. It has some top tracks on it but there are one or two that don’t hit the mark for me. Together with it being a bit long wasn’t a good mix. I wanted to give this more but 3’s all I can give

This was alright. Lauren Hill has a beautiful voice and a lot of the songs were pretty catchy.

Great concept, good songs. I need to pay this closer attention.

bien...

I enjoyed this much more than I thought I would. I do like the Fugees, so I should have expected it. Generally I don't like smooth lyrics, but Lauren Hill's got something to say, so it makes the stories she tells interesting. A worthwhile listen. Might listen to a couple songs again.

I wasn't into Lauryn Hill back in the day. To some extent, these songs got filed under "overplayed" for me. This is solid, but I wasn't able to give this as thorough a listen as I would like; so I've saved it and will definitely be coming back to it.

Groovy, lekker voor de achtergrond. Doet me denken aan een platenzaak

I was excited to see this album come up. I heard so much about how influential and great it was. Hill is a great singer and rapper and has immense talent. it just didn't land with me.

This was all anyone could talk about when it came out. Serious hype. I've never heard this album before today but I recognized the title right away. Buckle up, it's 77 minutes long and contains a skit/interlude between each song. Hill's lyrics are most if not all autobiographical, an emotional musical journal of what she was going through at the time. *** Lost Ones - hip-hop with sung chorus *** Ex-factor - pleasant down-tempo R&B with good vocal harmonies ** In Zion - more down-tempo R&B with Carlos Santana on guitar **** Doo Wop - hip-hop with a retro doo-wop/Motown flavor, the rap has a fun cadence and the sung vocals are more great harmonies. It makes sense that this was the first single released from the album. ** Superstar - I'm sensing a trend here, another down-tempo R&B song with some rapping. Consistency is good if you're looking for a whole album to plop down to fit your mood, which was a thing before streaming services existed to magically whip up an auto-playlist. *** Final Hour - hip-hop with some 70s soul flavor, harp, horns, and flute in the backing track ** When It Hurts So Bad - Surprise! Another down-tempo R&B track with vocal harmonies, this time with a reggae drum sample and some harp. ** I Used To Love Him - R&B track with vocal harmonies, duet with Mary J Blige. Moody freestyle vocal improvisations wear out their welcome on this one. *** Forgive Them Father - a reggae-tinged R&B song based on Bob Marley's Concrete Jungle melody. *** Every Ghetto, Every City - R&B track with some funk flavor just to change it up a little, a welcome fun track after the last few maudlin ones. ** Nothing Even Matters - guess what, it's a sad R&B song that should have been a 20 second segue song. Instead it's stretched out to almost 6 minutes of the words "nothing even matters" sung/improvised over and over. **** Everything is Everything - a R&B song with hip-hop. Has a good sample riff for the backing track though. The other single from the record. *** The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - Piano flourishes begin this song and it almost sounds like it's going to turn into a "I Will Survive" cover, but it's just her singing over a track with no drums. **** Can't Take My Eyes Off You - Frankie Valli cover over a hip-hop beat with a little reggae taste, it's not bad and the vocal arrangement is nice without being over the top. *** Tell Him - more vocal harmonies over a chill backing track, a nice performance Overall not a bad record. Doo Wop is the obvious standout. She has a great voice and usually a good instinct for what is going to sound good, but it's not without filler. Does it live up to the hype 25 years later? Eh, sort of.

Seminal album, but sadly one I haven't heard a lot. Love the 90s vibe.

20ish records in and I have begun to resent long albums; I've barely had time to listen to all of this. This is not my favourite genre but there was plenty to enjoy; I was only familiar with Doo Wop (That Thing) beforehand.

I'm surprised that this is her only album. I did read she had some problems and became somewhat of a recluse for awhile. I enjoyed the interludes of what sounded like classroom recordings of kids talking about what "love" meant. The songs in general didn't really catch my attention. This isn't a genre for me really... but I'll give it a shot and sometimes I will find some hidden gem. This album was so hyped up and was nominated for so many awards so I'm surprised I didn't find anything that stood out as overly amazing. Also, it was rather long for a first listen to a new album. I find albums that are over 45 minutes long tend to really dilute the album, in that I tend to forget the songs I heard in the beginning.

Definitely overrated. Some tracks were really good but most of it was pretty forgettable with that late 90s/early 2000s overly clean production I can’t stand.

Woman hip hop complexity

Pretty good. Just too long for my liking

Loved the story the album told and liked how funky it was. Otherwise, it wasn’t really my cup of tea.

Jos had nooit kunnen voorspellen wat ik dit album ging geven

1. Intro - N/A Is an introduction track and will not be rated. 2. Lost Ones - 5 The flow is very good and the lyrics in the verses are great but the choruses are very dull and the bridge between the first and second verse is easily the weakest part of the track. It comes off as filler. 3. Ex-Factor - 9 First of all, what an amazingly powerful voice on this track from Hill. Lyrics are brilliant, especially in the verses, but the choruses are incredibly smooth as well. All this builds to a fantastic guitar outro that is breathtaking. Awesome track. 4. To Zion (feat. Carlos Santana) - 7 I can't get over how good Hill's voice is. What an incredible talent. The lyrics are solid and Santana's play on the back side of the track is phenomenal. 5. Doo Wop (That Thing) - 6 The rap verses are great but the choruses are too poppy for my liking. Overall the rap part is fantastic, especially the opening ninety seconds. 6. Superstar - 5 The verses with the raps are sublime but the choruses are really dull in tone, pass, and lyrics. Bit of an annoying track in this way. 7. Final Hour - 10 Massive track. The flow and the lyricism is supreme on this track. Fantastic verses with some absolutely intense lyrics into a chorus that is simple enough to offer only a small respite before another intense sermon of lyrics. Absolutely brilliant. 8. When It Hurts So Bad - 7 Decent love song with some really solid lyrics. The range of the tone on this track is what is the most impressive for me and Hill navigates it so incredibly well. 9. I Used To Love Him (feat. Mary J. Blige) - 2 Notes are just held for way too long needlessly and it makes the pace way too inconsistent. Really hard track to get into. The background vocals aren't very pleasant and a lot of the time there's a second set of them that tries to go overtop of them that makes Hill have to overpower on top of both and it becomes a complete crash of vocals. 10. Forgive Them Father - 9 The line about everyday people lying to God too is fantastic and lyrically this is an insanely good track. Not a huge fan of the pitch in the chorus but overall it's fantastic. The rap is super strong as well. 11. Every Ghetto, Every City - 3 Tempo is good, pitch is better, but lyrically it's very cheesy. It's a song completely about reminiscing but it just doesn't stand up to the test of time. 12. Nothing Even Matters (feat. D'Angelo) - 1 Really poor track. The clicking/clapping sounds that replace what should be a light snare or percussion is super off-putting. The lyrics are insanely repetitive to the point where the song becomes a chore to listen to, and they eventually crash into each other from both D'Angelo and Hill. Very poor composition. 13. Everything is Everything - 8 The strings on this track are massive. Them setting the pace and beat is a hugely pleasureful touch. The non-rap part of the lyrical are very good. The rap is solid but some of it is a bit over the top. Particularly the part about places Hill has played shows at produces dull moments but overall it's a really good track. 14. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - 4 Hill's voice in this track is excellent but it doesn't necessarily move me. It's just and excellent exploration of her talents as a singer. 15. Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You - 6 It's an okay cover. Some parts are enjoyable, mainly Hill's vocals. Some parts an unenjoyable, like the beatbox opening the track (although on the underside of the track it's great), and Hill's brief MC at the end of the first verse. 16. Tell Him - 7 Fun track. Really good lyrics and a fantastic exploration of Hill's vocals yet again. Fantastic beat and flow on the track make it a great ending to the album. Average Rating: 5.93 Adjusted to 5-Point Scale: 2.97 Rounded Up: 3 Stars

Another one I just don’t get. Yeah, I bought it when it came out but thought it was just ok, a decent set of generally slower hip-hop songs with more then a few that sound a lot alike. Being ranked so high on so many multi-year lists of best albums baffles me. 2.5 rounded up because there was one intro track but no interludes.

Niet helemaal mijn ding. Maar zo op de achtergrond prima.

Lost Ones Doo Wop (That Thing) Final Hour When It Hurts so Bad I Used to Love Him Nothing Even Matters

Favorite songs: Ex-Factor, Final Hour, Can't Take My Eyes Off of You

Getting a "reading Lord of the Rings vibe" - struggle to get through the entirity of the album

Totally not my genre but a couple of tracks made me slow down and listen. To my ear, the tracks on this album vary from unbearable to pleasant.

Intro: 8/10 Lost one: 6.4/10 Ex-Factor: 5/10 To Zion: 6.2/10 Doo Wop: 7.8/10 Superstar: 5/10 Final Hour: 5/10 When it hurts: 5/10 I used to love him: 5/10 Forgive Them Father: 5.2/10 Every Ghetto: 4/10 Nothing Even Matters: 4/10 Everything Is Everything 4.5/10 The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill 3/10 Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You: 6/10 Tell Him: 6/10

I've heard this album before and remembered liking it but I don't think it has this aura of greatness and amazement that I think people laud it on the regular. It's good! I like the beats, her reflections, and can see how this album is important to show a woman's views on life and love. But it's not moving me which is disappointing because I LOVE her voice.

5/10

Ok. Valjda sm že slišala za ta album & par komadov poznam, nisem pa nikoli celga poslušala (spet sicer, zakaj 16 komadov? Zakaj 77 minut? Less is more, največkrat.) "Lost Ones" je hud, poznan od prej. Gledam credits za naslednji komad ("Ex-Factor") in vidim en kup znanih imen (Wu Tang!). Eh, vidim, da je sample od njih uporabila, zato. Sm se že veselila jih slišat, lol. (Aha, gledam naprej in očitno bojo The Doors samplani v "Superstar".) "Doo Wop (That Thing)" je verjetn njen najbl znan solo komad. In je čist kul. Zj k poslušam album, sm se spomnila, da sm ga že vsaj enkrat poslušala - v bistvu so me te vmesni odseki, k se nek razred zgovarja z učiteljem od ljubezni, spomnili. "Final Hour" mi je tud hud. Mja, mal je predolgo tole. Uf. Sicer čist všečno.

3.5 pra 4

7/10

I've never listened to this album but I've been hearing about its iconic status forever. Time to change that! I like the use of guitars throughout the album. The musical arrangements in general are all really nice. Tons of cool unique instruments are utilized and it sounds very rich. Hill's voice is nice and deep and powerful, and her flow is great. Standouts on this listen for me were "To Zion" "Final Hour" and "Every Ghetto, Every City." Overall it's a solid album. A bit on the longer side. Easy listening with some great lyrics and sound. Not my exact cup of tea but I appreciated my listen. Easy to see why this album crushed when it debuted. I probably won't listen to much again, but for folks who love R&B it's a good one for sure. 3/5.

flowy and powerful sound - feels like you're being carried by her vocals throughout the whole album and never touch the ground. really vibey combination of rhythmic and cool rap but soft and mellow rhythms and melodies

Had some bops that I recognized

Концептуальная пластинка, женский рэп, неосоул – на словах звучит довольно интересно, но в реальности это не так уж и интересно. Тем не менее, местами это достаточно приятная музыка. Лучшая песня: Lost Ones

I came in with high expectations and now I'm disappointed. It's not bad by any means, but certainly not among the great albums I've heard. Also, I know skits were a big part of the genre but they still annoy me. They don't add anything.

Very nice and soothing. Lauryn Hill has one of the most recognizable voices out there and I love it. Active listening though gets a little boring. The music tends to roll over itself, blending together in to a wonderful blanket that makes it hard to pick at a single thread.

This still pops today! Although I think it feels overly long and repetitive in spots. (I mean, it was the 90's but still). (3.5)

Not my cup of tea but some nice easy listening tracks with a beautiful voice

Recognized the name and Doo Wop (That Thing) but didn’t really connect with the album or style otherwise.

Well produced and easy to listen to.

Liked the Fugees, and have a passing like of the genres this exists in; soul, r&b, rap and reggae (more so old school to be fair for all). I didn’t really pick up on this when it came out after hearing it, since then it’s been lauded consistently, and now is somewhat labelled best of the best ( but to be fair to any record given that title over time, SPLHCB, petsounds, what’s going on, it’s a redundant idea that self aggrandising arse like rolling stone mag push for their own sense of self importance). So revisiting today, it’s good, it’s got good flow, it’s a pleasant listen, if you like this kind of music it’ll probably be a 4 or 5, if you don’t it is unlikely to convert you, and you likely still wouldn’t like it after listening, it won’t sound anything groundbreaking. To me, yes I own a physical copy but own thousands of albums, it’s nice, when it’s on. But after listening today not looking to revisit anytime soon, so it ain’t that “special”, as said for me - 3.5 Star

It definitely suffers from the same problem of so many 90s / early 00s albums: it’s too long and would be much better if it was made to fit in 47 minutes

really good, just not my thing

i had a different expirience than what i remember, still not really my type tho i know objectively its great

Pretty decent. Nice singing and production. A little samey and nothing super special for me

It's a classic, it's great. Just not exactly up my alley.

Done

I can see why this album is glazed so hard but I just really don't fw R&B anymore

Lauryn Hill has a great voice; politically (social politics) charged lyrics that are super cool

Joo ihan hyvää ja varmaan aikansa suunnannäyttäjää. Ei vaan itelle nyt kauheesti lähe tai riitä ymmärryXet. Joten perusvarma.

Muistelisin että tätä olis tullu joskus synkkinä yläastevuosina kuunneltua, mutta ei nää biisit kyllä ihan hirveästi kelloja soittanut. Ehkä enempi sitten kuitenkin Fugeesia tuli tykiteltyä. Ihan kivoja biittejä ja tietysti huikeaa äänen käyttöä itse ms. Laurynilta. Biisit itsessään on ehkä vähän meh-osastoa, mutta siltikin posin puolelle tämä kääntyy, mennään kolmosella.

J'ai bien apprécié ! C'est différent de ce que j'écoute d'habitude. J'aime bien le fil directeur, avec l'éducation et le professeur (?) qui parle à la fin de certaines chansons. Mais l'album m'a paru un peu répétitif et long. Mais c'est peut-être parce que je n'ai pas assez écouté pour bien différencier. Mais je retiens bien les 2 premières que j'ai beaucoup aimé. Belle voix et bon flow. Le rap est très bon

Good stuff but this is a looong album. There are some real standouts and then some just sort of there tracks but this is definitely worthy of 1001 album list. Top tracks: "Everything is Everything," "Doo Wop (That Thing)," "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," "Lost Ones"

Everything is Everything might be my favorite R&B song of the late 90s. Amazing music video. Always thought it was brave of her to say she hated white people, but like, same, girl. Loved the Fugees back when, always appreciated the flow. This does lose me a little in that the album is long, and the songs are all pretty long. She has a lot to say, and she's great at it. But I have the attention span of a gnat.

I liked the reference to Sister Nancy's 'Bam Bam' and then not to long after Wu Tang's 'Can it All Be So Simple' (or maybe it was a reference to the original that was sampled I don't really know). This is well made and I have no doubt it is an important record in these genres of music, I have to admit I just don't really know much about it. I have an aversion to 90's R&B if ever a chime is used and there are a couple moments like that on here but then there's also plenty of moments I found more listenable. I'm not going to put it in my rotation but I think I can say I'm glad I tried it out.

Didn't listen to all of it, but what i heard was pretty good, it's kind of what you would expect from a pop/hiphop album and sounded pleasing. Not entirely my style but i can definitely appreciate it.

ну нет, альбом добротный, соул, репчик, ниггеры, все классно, но моя жопа так же ощущает прохладу

Da queen

Great voice, good album. The chatter and filler instead of just singing knocks it down a bit for me.

She really does have a good voice, but as the album went on I just got more and more bored. I appreciate a concept album like this. I like the reccurring theme of love and the classroom scene. I'm not a huge hip hop fan in general, so it's not surprising I didn't love it, but disappointing. I had high hopes for it just because of how iconic it is. I might listen to a song or two from this album consistently, but probably not the whole thing.

I never got into her

On the one hand there is a lot to like here and it isn't hard to see why this album is considered a classic. On the other hand the music isn't really up my alley and can only hit so hard as a result.

3.0

Lovely singing voice, some interesting jazzy tones, good use of percussion, a certain style. But a lot of it is curiously MOR, music you'd have on in the background at a dinner party.

Some well polished tracks, good vocals and mixture of genres. Possibly a bit too long!

I don't know if we have to judge an album by his personnal taste or in général. More RnB than hip-hop, not a huge fan of the genre, I guess it's not bad. A bit too much hoohaaaahaaa for me, easy to listen, nothing magical. Worth a 3 but really a 2.5 for me

Some RNB classics. Bangers. That being said, I do agree that it’s just too long and certain portions of the album feel phoned in. High 3 low 4. It’s crazy that this was her only project before she kind of spiralled down with her mental health.

Этот альбом ассоциируется у меня с Барселоной, как бы абсурдно это не звучало. Музыка тут совсем не подходит городу. Но я слушал его первый раз именно там. Музыка не совсем моя. Лучшая песня - Lost Ones.

Regular a menos, rap aburre

Quite a pleasant listen. Not something I would normally listen to. Some very soulful tracks with influences from other genres. 3.5 *

Good in places despite the artist, think it was better before I knew who she was.

She is an interesting talent and I liked some of the cuts. Some songs would be better if they were shorter and had less repetition of the lyrics.

Can see why it’s a classic. I like albums with a theme and that has skits between tracks. Too much over singing and repetition for me, but still a good listen

This is a great album, that’s undeniable. Hip hop and R&B is just not to my taste. Listening to this in one sitting was genuinely a chore. This is someone’s favourite album of all time, it’s not mine. There’s great songs on here but this isn’t for me. The production is good, the skits are bearable unlike a lot of rap albums I’ve heard and there is a good mix of genres here. Highlights: Doo Wop (That Thing), Can't Take My Eyes Off You

Eh. I always had a feeling this album wouldn't be for me despite its acclaim and this listen confirms it. I know how celebrated this album is, I remember it being huge back in the day. I'm just really not into the more r&b influenced side of hip-hop.

Not my usual style, feels a bit stilted. Solid album with some definite high points, enjoyed To Zion, Dop Wop (That Thing) and Everything is Everything.

It‘s „Ok“. Some tracks are good. Some are not. The filler story between the tracks is too much.

I don't know what all the excitement is about. It's good but not great.

Really good album, love the concept and the vocals are just amazing. But, I can’t stand the rhythmic “uhs” and “yeahs” just over and over which makes the whole thing a lot less enjoyable for me.

Not listened to this before and enjoyed it. Could well score higher after more listens

This ended up on a 3 in the middle because I really liked some stuff, but also found other tracks just did not engage me.

Looking back on this album I am not sure if it was worth as much hype as it received. Don't get me wrong its good (Zion is beautiful) and she takes on deep subjects. Her voice is unique and different and really soulful. But as it went on it seemed to drag and each song sort of bled into another. Her take on love and hurt was important but at times it seemed repetitive. I liked song Every Ghetto, Every City and the way she highlighted the small details of beauty of every day of life. I waiver on a 3 or a 4. It is soo much better than some 3's but it doesn't draw me in as much as I expect from a 4.

My favorites are Final Hour and Everything is Everything.

This album exists in my life solely because I am a huge fan of The Score by The Fugees. What I hear is a good album but it is nowhere near best of the 90’s as some people say.

Sone songs I really like and some that don't do much for me.

It's a shame about basically everything that happened after this album, and in retrospect you can kinda hear some of the things in her performance that would pop up later in that MTV Unplugged performance. The interstitials disrupt the album's flow. Rating on this one could fluctuate depending on the day honestly but after sitting with it for a while I feel ok with where I landed. (It's also hard to not side-eye some lyrics knowing "Neurotic Society (Compulsory Mix)" exists but) favorite track: Forgive Them Father already in collection

I liked her work better as a part of the Fugees. This certainly wasn't bad, just wasn't the spirit of the music I liked from her before.

I like it. Thats it. Thats the review.

I’m not generally a fan of hip hop, but Lauryn Hill’s enormous talent, including her ability to morph from gritty street rap to smooth R&B, is mesmerizing. Not something I’ll pull out often if ever, but it’s impossible not to be impressed by the sheer talent.

Certainly not the greatest album ever. Loses me midway through.

My favorite track was admittedly a cover

What I'm learning here is I really love her voice. I love it in spoken word, as rap, and her vocal range in song is also gorgeous. I find it impressive she produced this on her own, and I also think that's why it falls short for me. I was really expecting to be blown away, maybe the expectations were also too high. The way she raps is starting to sound dated, but it's still aesthetically pleasing. A lot of the work with the pen is intimate, delicate with a punch, but I've been exposed to enough material for it to occasionally feel slightly superficial to me. Conceptually, not very raw. 3.2/5

Love this 🧡

Soulful

If there’s one thing this album should be remembered for, aside from the music, it’s that iconic cover. Back in the late 90s, it felt like I saw that image everywhere. Musically, it’s a blend of neo-soul and conscious hip hop, and while I’ve personally lost some appetite for this sound over time, it definitely had its moment. When it first came out, it stood in stark contrast to much of the mainstream hip hop of that era. This album was lighter, groovier, and more uplifting, both emotionally and spiritually compared to the harder, more aggressive edge of commercial rap at the time. It brought something fresh and genuine, and even if it’s not in rotation for me anymore, there’s no denying its impact.

she has vocal runs that remind me of Stevie Wonder

3.4. Some greatness to be sure.

The first time I heard this, it didn't really do too much for me. The second time I heard it, I liked it better, but still nothing really stood out. I actually really enjoyed the classroom interludes though!

An undeniable classic, the first half is pure, genre-defining —that neo-soul sound is absolutely timeless. Still, the ten minutes of hidden, preachy skits are kind of unnecessary.

I see how this is critically acclaimed but I don’t get it. Not my favourite style and it didn’t grab me in a way that moved me. Wouldn’t listen again, but also didn’t hate any of it, it just reminded me of that era of music.

Rapping or singing Lauren Hill has a great voice.This is a good LP very well produced LP. Which if a few tracks had been left off would be a brilliant LP

2 and a half but 2 in unfair

It was quite good

If there’s one thing this album should be remembered for, aside from the music, it’s that iconic cover. Back in the late 90s, it felt like I saw that image everywhere. Musically, it’s a blend of neo-soul and conscious hip hop, and while I’ve personally lost some appetite for this sound over time, it definitely had its moment. When it first came out, it stood in stark contrast to much of the mainstream hip hop of that era. This album was lighter, groovier, and more uplifting, both emotionally and spiritually compared to the harder, more aggressive edge of commercial rap at the time. It brought something fresh and genuine, and even if it’s not in rotation for me anymore, there’s no denying it’s impact.

good

Too long

Great voice and some really nice songs on here. I really liked the Can't Take My Eyes Off You cover and Everything Is Everything. I found a lot of the songs to be kind of filler though. It's a long album and I didn't really care for a lot of it. Good album, but not really my thing.

Good vibes!! Even if I don’t listen to this every day, it itched my brain in a way modern music doesn’t. So 90s, so girl!

It has been a minute since I listened to this one all the way through. I think had they cut 10-15% this would ranked a bit higher. Still love the vibes. Would be 3.5 if I could.

Lauryn has a beautiful and soulful singing voice, but she also has a pretty good flow when she raps. Favorite track: Lost Ones

Starts with a strange mix of reggae and hip-hop. I really like the sections where it just turns into a monologue. Unfortunately, I feel it is not nearly as impactful by modern standards. Favorite Songs: Final Hour

When this album came out, I was living in Japan, and even there it was everywhere. A friend of mine actually became a Lauryn Hill fan because of it. I do like her voice, and for some reason To Zion, which was played a lot in Japan at the time, is a track I quite liked. The guitar that comes in during the interlude of Ex-Factor is also surprisingly cool. Listening to this album made me realize that I’m not really into hip-hop, but I do quite like soul.

Is it wrong of me to say Ms. Hill really needs Mr. Jean? Props to her for bringing this level of musicality to the genre, but the genre still leaves me cold. Kind of a mashup of two genres, neither of which I enjoy. But she's a very good vocalist in need of better writing.

It's a good album, well arranged & well produced. Classroom intervals are a cool touch that makes the listener think & binds it all together. That all said, just not something I could see myself choosing to put on.

Surprisingly I'd never listened to this before, I enjoyed it but as much as this album is put on a bit of a pedestal in the hip hop genre. I much prefer her work with The Fugees. That thing is obviously still a HUGE banger.

Hard not to enjoy this one. Nice chill beats, soulful vocals and harmonies, Reggae influences and a feature from Carlos Santana. Runtime is perhaps a touch too long though.

What a great voice and selection of styles on this strong debut album that still sounds fresh 25 years later!

1998 File under 90's MTV fodder. It's OK, but not for me Heard before ❌️ Listened this time ✅️ Revisit ❌️ ★★★☆☆ (5/10)

It’s fine. Great voice, good vibes, just the poster child of a very middle of the road album in general. It’s overly long and well outstays its welcome, it’s very bloated, and once again this is another album where the skits completely take me out of the flow of the album. I know it matches with the premise of the album, I’m just not the most fond of them, especially with all the bloat in the mix. Again, it’s fine. Nothing really much I can say about it. It’s fine to chill out to and let it play in the background, but I wouldn’t really call any of these songs something I would immediately want to come back to hear again. My favorite song on the album is “Forgive Them Father.” I’m sure this was revolutionary at the time, but it’s extraordinarily average sounding listening to it today, I may even go so far as calling it overrated?? Apologies Ms. Hill, I enjoyed it enough, but I’m not likely to remember it after a little while. Great little feature by Santana though, he makes any album better with his presence.

The songs released as singles from this album give you the impression it should be a belter. It’s not really. It’s too long and a lot of the other songs on it don’t hit nearly the same level. Pity, as she has a lovely voice and it’s clearly well produced.

This was good but we don't really remember it so 3 stars.

me gustoo

Neo soul is very much not my bag, so it's no surprise that parts of this didn’t interest me. *But* there were quite a few decent tracks scattered throughout the album that did. It sounds musically and lyrically mature - impressive for someone in their early 20s - and it's undeniably impressive and influential piece of work, all told. Furthermore, in a rare twist, I actually enjoyed the skits; rather than breaking the momentum I think the classroom discussion theme holds the album together well and is kinda endearing rather than irritating. 3.5 stars.

Such a beautiful voice.

This felt like a good mix of 90s hip-hop and R&B. In the first half of the album, I was into more of the hip-hop songs like Lost Ones and Doo Wop. Wasn't feeling as much of the slower R&B stuff. In the second half I only found Everything Is Everything and Can't Take My Eyes Off You compelling. It's a pretty long album and while Hill is definitely a talented artist going between both genres seamlessly, I found my interest waning in and out. I probably land at about 3.5 stars, but skew more towards a High 3. Good listen with a handful of standout songs.

I am aware that there is a certain cult appeal surrounding Lauryn Hill and this album in particular. Her career is weird in that she is highly regarded for producing quality work, and yet her output is quite the opposite of prolific. Where most artists build upon the inertia of success, she released effectively this one highly-regarded solo album and never bothered with a successor. While this isn't an entirely unique trajectory it is certainly remarkable as a solo act. Listening through, I can certainly see some of the appeal. Her writing is tight and delivery often soulful bouncing between hard-hitting hip-hop (Lost Ones, Doo Wop), 90s R&B (Ex-Factor, To Zion, Nothing Even Matters), and some funkier undercuts (Every Ghetto, Every City). While she succeeds on all fronts, my gut feel is that (a) this album is entirely too long and (b) I really don't have a huge amount of love for 90s R&B. I think if I had more love for the 90s R&B sound this would be my jam. As it stands, this is certainly above average, but not something I would repeatedly come back to. For that this straddles the high 3, low 4 divide. Using relistenability as a differentiator, I'm rounding down.

Pretty long but broke it up in 2 listens with about 30 minutes in between so not terrible. Was a good listen with some great singing and good beats. Caught myself zoning out in some points though. Didn't expect to know a song on here but definitely knew Can't Take my Eyes off You

Music can be repetitive. Good beat and melody, voice is great. Not really my favorite type of music though, doesn't resonate with me.

It's a pleasant enough album. At it's best when it reaches into soul music. Carries a bit too much 90's R&B vibes for my tastes in spots, but could be worse for sure.

It's OK

Some of these songs are so good, but they don't carry the album as a whole.

Have always liked Lauryn’s voice.

Not my genre, but some sharp lyrics and flows throughout songs. 3/5

Quite samey but okay background noise. 90s r&b on the head

Feels a little written by committee

Pretty good, just not my type of music 3/5

Fine

Most songs are quite good. I'm not a fan of most of the outros because they're spoken word.

Yea was alright

honestly felt a bit overhyped? I liked the middle-end part more than the fan favorites at the beginning also. I think the message is really good, I just find it a little boring.

A smooth blend of rap, r&b, pop and other influences. I enjoyed bits and pieces of this, definitely nostalgic and super well produced just not really the kind of music I reach for.

Not bad. Has it's vibe. But repetitive.

Vahva kolmepuol pyöristyy tällä kertaa alaspäin, koska kyllä The Score nyt vaan kolahtaa kovempaa.

Pretty decent, for some reason this album sounded great in my car but less good on my headphones, though. Anyways, I liked this more than most hip hop. Favorite tracks: "When it Hurts So Bad," "Ex-Factor"

ive listened to this 3 times and it still doenst connect with me

Better than I thought. More diverse in terms of grooves and arrangements

Every night my partner and I talk about the albums that we listened to that day and what we thought of them (we both travel for work so it's usually done over the phone). I was telling her about Lauryn Hill and that I remember buying the album (on cassette tape) and that I remember the Fugees but I don't remember anything of them after this album came out. That's the thing, no albums did come out it's like Lauryn Hill leaving the Fugees killed the Fugees and then there was nothing. It's an influential album for the ages but now that I listen back to it, it's not what I remember.

It was fine

Funny my brother in law plays in a cover band and he did Linda rondstadt version and I thought I need to give the Lauryn hill record a listen. It’s always highly regarded as one of the greats. Now here it is. I shall listen. I wanted to like it more. I found it hard to find the groove I just couldn’t connect with it. Talented for sure just not for me.

I could not get into this. There were plenty of things I enjoyed though - “Zion” is one of best songs I’ve heard in awhile. The message of the album really resonated with me, and the skits were a fun add that added context to the whole album. Overall I thought the production was a little overstimulating and didn’t click with the majority of the songs. I like the bridge in “Ex-Factor” that’s a list of requests with the steady gospel notes. It’s a nice contrast. Zion is a standout track. Here the lyrical contrast stands out - I love the conflict. Superstar: “They’ll hail you, then nail you - no matter who you are” Harmonies in “I used to love him” are really nice. We listen to others - trust others too much. I didn’t really think the classroom sketches at the end of every track were that additive. They could have been used more sparingly.

3.9

I think this is a very important album

Gear: HEDD Audio HEDDphone Two Artwork: ✏️🪵🏫 Production: 🎧😘🤌 Music: 🆒🏆🤔 Rating: 📚📚📚/5

I went into this album expecting it to be an easy 5, but it didn’t land nearly as well as it did the last time I listened to this album. Not sure if it just feels a bit dated to me now compared to other hip hop releases that have come since, but the instrumentals and the skits felt stale to me this time round. A clearly influential album, but not one I’m going to return to any time soon.

good stuff

It’s…good. Not for me I guess

188/1089 - Eh... The live instruments were cool. The skits are very "on the nose," and I never liked skits in albums anyways.

2.5/5 - Why did I need to hear this album before I die? I suppose to hear what all the fuss was about. I had no connection to this album in 1998, though I've given it several listens over the last few years. I think it's fine. The hallway chatter interludes annoy me, and most of the album fades into the background for me, with a few strong standouts as the exception.

Probably not going to listen alot

I liked this solo recording from Lauryn better than her work with the Fugees - although it contained sampling the songs had a higher level of originality. I really liked the songs in which she collaborated with other singers, but ultimately would not buy this. Would have liked to have given it 3.5 stars but it will have to be 3.

Sounds lovely in many ways. Yet her bouncing melisma is very sing-song samey, and I start to wish she had the backing the Roots on this one too. It can’t help sounding a bit dated.

Not particularly my style but good beats and flow throughout

The music sounds good, lauryn's got a great voice, I thought the classroom bits on love were creative, but it didn't resonate with me and went on a bit too long.

beautiful music - the harmonies are awesome. Overall not my style though

I remember all the singles from my teenage years, and I would argue that they are the highlights from this album, especially Doo Wap (That Thing) which I've always really liked. I could have done without the skits (which seems to be a common theme with all the hip hop albums I've heard that include them) but I get that they're world building. I'd just rather a tighter running time than listen to a guy pretending to be a school teacher. The actual music I don't have a lot to say about, but I like it. 3/5

I feel like Lauryn Hill has a bit of mistique about her. Going onto her Wikipedia and finding out she only released one solo album and Fugees only released two adds to the mistique in my opinion. Firstly, the album is a bit long. Anything over an hour you best make sure every minute is worth it. This goes on a little too long. Secondly, there are skits, but they don't have their own titles. They're "hidden" at the end of tracks. Very clever Lauryn, you thought you could fool me into listening to them? Not today I'm afraid. I listened to the first one but skipped the rest to save some time. (I know it's a concept album and they help that but I couldn't be bothered, sorry). She's a good, solid rapper, with a nice flow. Having said that though, I much preferred the songs where she was showing off her vocals which I think is her more superior talent. She has a really lovely voice. 'Ex-Factor' has a nice ear worm ending and solo. 'To Zion' really shows off her great vocals, ending it with a lovely high pitched almost whistle. 'When It Hurts So Bad' and 'I Used To Love Him' are another two with some great vocal runs. 'Forgive Them Father' has a nice guitar lick beat. 'Nothing Even Matters' is a typical R'n'B track which features D'Angelo and is pretty lovely sounding though a touch long and repetitive. Overall I was pleasantly surprised but by the end I was a little tired and just wanted it to get to the end. I definitely would need more listens but right now a three is fair I think.

Histórico. Muy buenas canciones, pero igual un poco largo. 7,5/10

I remember buying the CD when it came out because the reviewers raved. Never listed more than a couple of times, this relisten reminds me why, its...ok but its hip-hop. It gets better when it moves away from the hip-hop formula but not enough to warrant regular replays imho.

Outside of my usual listening but interesting album.

How can such an unmemorable album have such a memorable cover?

Meh. Doesn't do a lot for me. Great singer. Semi interesting songs. I was pretty done with it by the end though

Не очень заинтересовала. Но не любимый стиль.

5/10

Kind of annoying. I remember this being better

Out of respect for the artistry of this album I’ll give it a 3. There were some great moments that ultimately were over shadowed by some really boring tracks. I will say I’m pretty positive I’ve never listened to this album before but it felt strangely familiar

Ahh what a classic album! But I always think of Lauryn hill and the Fugees, but still this is always considered a classic, I will say I was getting out of my car and a friend asked is that Beyonce haha 🤣 made me laugh

I get why it was important, but it’s kind of boring ,not much spark for me.

Rätt nice! Lite annorlunda (från listan hittills) men bra sound, och kul med oväntad cover av "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You".

I’ve seen this album cover multiple times and had never heard it so I was excited to be able to do so. This is cute, easy to listen to R&B. So many of the songs droned on and on and got really repetitive. Overall thought, it wasn’t anything spectacular but I didn’t mind it.

Heard it before, some bangers just not something I would personally jump to chuck on

Bom álbum. Mas as interrupções de momentos de fala são muito exageradas. Celest Rue.

Debut solo album. Rap / Hip Hop / R n B / Reggae. She has a great singing voice as well as being able to rap. The album showcases her range of talent. It's also a very personal album. Well produced. Doo Wop (That Thing) is a very cool track. It's a decent album, however I'm not blown away by the all time great, genre defining album this is supposed to be.

meh

I remember that when this album came out it was received enthusiastically. At the time I didn't like it, now I think it's quite nice

not quite as good as i remember it. lovely singing voice, and a couple of great tracks - superstar and everything is everything. .

Bon disque (de Lauryn Hill), mauvais public (moi). Je suis quand même surpris qu’elle n’ait pas continué cette carrière. Elle n’a fait que quelques albums dans sa vie : un seul (celui-ici) en solo, et deux (genre) avec les Fugees. C’est tout.

I just never understood all the hullabaloo around this one. She’s amazingly talented, but this album doesn’t do much for me.

Got some Janelle Morae vibes from this! Concept is really nice and well produced. I liked it

1998. R&B / Rap / Hip-Hop. 7/10 Lost Ones / Doo Wop / Tell Him

Cult Classic, altijd hoog in de lijstjes en verplichte mention in Hip-hop lijstjes. Ik heb dit door de jaren heen al een paar keer ff snel gechecked, maar ben er nooit echt ingedoken. De stem herken je meteen, alleen al gebaseerd op die ene track Killing Me Softly (The Fugees). Ze zingt én rapt, heeft een sterke stem en door deze verschillende smaken brengt ze heel veel karakter mee op deze plaat. Er staan een aantal bangers op: Lost Ones, Doo Wop (That Thing), Ex-Factor, Every Ghetto, Every City. Persoonlijk vind ik dit veel te uitgeklede beats. Het werkt alsnog wel als bij Lost Ones op 2:05 dat echte 'refreintje: But You Really, Lost One' komt op die melodie/ritme van 'bam bam bidam, bam bam' en heel chill synth-gitaar-lijntje. Plus ze laten daardoor wel veel ruimte over voor Ms Hill om haar ding te doen. Ze zingt met meerdere overdubs een paar nummers helemaal vol met allerhande zanglijnen en herhalingen van eerdere zinnen + adlibs. Bij het ene nummer heel sterk, bij het volgende nummer een brei met weinig richting. Ook de collab met Mary J. Blige komt hierdoor niet echt tot z'n recht. Achtergrond koortjes, en Mary en Lauren die elkaar soms afwisselen / aanvullen / strijden voor de plek vooraan in de mix, waardoor niemand eigenlijk de spotlight krijgt en het geheel een vrij messy overkomt. Ze namen ook echt wel de tijd. Het was toen nog gebruikelijk om een 3e verse te hebben in een hiphop track. Het feit dat je voor het eerst het iconische mantra 'That Thing, That Thing, That thiiiingg' hoort op 1:45 van de track (zelfde idee als bij Lost Ones), is best insane. (ik zie nu dat ze in de videoclip dat wel ff naar voren hebben geschoven) Het intro, de klaslokaal skits aan het einde van nummers waarin de leraar vraagt aan de kiddo's wat liefde is maken het in combinatie met de hoes ('t schooltafeltje) en de titel een cool thema/concept. Verdere thema's als 'wat moet een artiest zijn?' in Superstar (waar de 1e rap-verse pas begint NA 3 MINUTEN) holy hell, fuck conventies, en een hoop religie thema's en verloren liefde, en voor jezelf kiezen maken het gevarieerd genoeg, maar toch een best lange zit in de schoolbanken :))))))) Al met al dig ik de meer rap tracks harder dan de alle religieuzere tracks. Hoewel ik soms best goed ga op gospel dingen, trekt het me hier helemaal niet de kerk binnen. Ik kom ook niet echt met nieuwe inzichten naar buiten. Beste: Lost Ones, Doo Wop, Ex-Factor, Every Ghetto, Every City. Minste: The Miseducation of Lauren Hill, When It Hurts So Bad, To Zion. Albumhoes: Beaut 5/5

Cool album, concept en productie.