The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

I've *thought* a lot about this album in the last several years. The album managed to land at the very top of Apple's top albums of all time list, a list that was certainly divisive, but for my money was a valuable attempt to measure cultural impact on the moment in time the list was created. I was surprised both that it was voted #1 and that I was totally fine with that ranking. Is it the greatest album of all time™️? Probably not. Is it the most culturally impactful album of the last 30 years? At first blush I'd say an obvious no, but then I consider how many pantheon pop albums since this came out were created by women bursting past soul & r&b trappings and I think it's fair to say that dozens or even hundreds of groundbreaking albums can trace at least part of their lineage back to the Miseducation of LH. It's a real shame that she seems to have completely punted on a follow-up, and rode the good will of this record and The Score for 30 years. But it's a testament to its greatness that it's able to be ridden at that level. How many artists ever created an album that could have stood as their only output and still commanded headlining tours for decades? What I haven't done in a very long time is to actually listen to it front to back. Doing so felt like rediscovering a companion album to Songs in the Key of Life (another album I wouldn't have a problem landing at the top of an all-time list.) Every song was a masterclass in American black music, traveling through rock, hip-hop, soul, r&b, blues, latin, Motown, and pop, but never feeling like homework. The lyrics are dripping with substance and specificity and display a real deftness with flow. Her voice if gorgeous. The arrangements are bursting with life. A masterpiece.

One of the greatest albums of all time. 10/10. No notes

Classic R&B album.

best r&b album

I can't believe I hadn't listened to this album before. I don't know if it was subconscious misogyny, but I regret the 37 years I missed with this album. The Miseducation of Lauren Hill is amazing!

iconic.

Pure Soul-Hip Hop-R&B perfection. So much authenticity to this album and beauty, and heartbreak and other appropriate adjectives. ~ I wish I could find my CD, but I settled on Spotify, which feels like a disservice. DOO WOP obviously, superb and TO ZION, purely exceptional

Excellent tunes. I understand why Lauryn Hill just tours one album

Classic album .

I have been looking forward to this album as I am familiar with the high-praise it usually receives. Lost one- Really good chorus, has a mix of hip-hop and gospel which compliment each other very well. Ex Factor- Good, not great. I have heard this sampled before. To Zion- Santana on this really elevates the song for me.

Wooooo I’ve been waiting for this one! A truly flawless album, it’s so cool to listen and hear all the songs that artists today continuously sample. No notes, Lauryn Hill you will always be famous!

a perfect easy flawless 5

I love this album so much, by far one of the most refreshing hip hop projects out there. With themes of love and taking so much influence from soul, it truly is just so unique and almost in a way wholesome.

Have listened to this album before. While not my favorite Lauryn hill album, it is still really good. This and Fugees the score.

excellent album

A modern classic - the production is unreal as well. Lauryn Hills talent is amazing

Seminal masterpiece

Raw & Memorable One of my favorite albums

Slept on this album for a while before finally listening to it for the first time a few years ago. Now I fully understand why it gets all the praise and accolades constantly thrown its way. I don't think there is anything else I can say about this album that hasn't already been said so I'll just say that this is one of the easiest 5/5s I've given during this experience.

One of the best albums of all time. IMO the best hip hop album, top to bottom. Hill put everything she had into this, and it shows.

if only

A perfect album. Too bad there is controversy around Lauryn Hill as a person and her not giving writing credits.

Good album

A shame she seems to be not the best person but this is a masterpiece.

Powerful, beautiful, emotional, and also at parts fun. I wish she could have given us more than one album from this period, but my God what an album it is. The guests all compliment her but that tracks where she is alone stand out to me and highlight the vulnerability she shows. Ex-Factor, Doo Wop, and Lost Ones are all certified classics. Easy 5.

Loved her voice. I am not a fan of rap, but found it very catchy!

So many samples finding their origin here. Great album

Excellent. Soulful. Should revisit soon.

The algorithm must've heard me complaining. The intentional cracking on the backing track was confusing but now it kinda feels like a vinyl player if you close your eyes. TBH no notes. Seeing her tour with Outkast would've been bucket list.

Æ vet ikke om det e en tidløs klassiker, men æ synes helt klart den har tålt tidens tann – like utmerket nu som da æ gikk på videregående.

9.5/10

This is one of the greatest full albums I’ve ever heard. From lyrics to production to sound engineering, sequence to skits and theme. This is beautiful music period!

Amazing

Oh boy oh boy where do I begin. My glorious queen Lauryn Hill can have my kids, my house, tbh anything. An absolute masterpiece.

Classic.

one of the easy ones to rate 🙂

Well, this is actually better than I remembered. Chill vibes, a feminine perspective , no macho posturing and misogyny, a great voice, not strident, even the skits work, the concept is rather lovely and not at all ludicrous.. Some interesting musical choices. Forgot how much I loved To Zion. And this has absolutely stood the test of time

Music is supposed to inspire

I went in to this record a little skeptical. I knew a little of its reputation, but I was completely unfamiliar with the music. This is one of the few records I’ve heard so far that completely lives up to the reputation. Bursting with life—organic and rich. Blends so many different flavors of hip-hop, R&B, gospel, funk, etc. to create a masterfully diverse and refreshing experience. The tracklist exhibited tremendous versatility. Love the sonic weight of this album. Basslines are so powerful and punchy. Drums are heavy and tight. The vocal harmonies create dense textures that are enthralling—awesome. Some of the tracks are a little long, but groove so well I don’t think this is a negative. So glad to hear this one. 9/10 Standouts: To Zion Forgive them Father Everything is Everything There was so much to enjoy, I imagine next listen will have different standouts.

Sooo good

I love Lauryn Hill's voice. It is soulful and smoky and communicates more than just words. I liked the album but not as much as I wanted to. When the album shines it shines brightly but at times it gets lost in itself and tends to drag.

I adore this album. I'm not typically a listener of rap, hip-hop or RnB... and yet I cannot help but love this album from the bottom of my heart. Lauryn Hill delivers a "soft concept" album that is full of deep reflections, big questions and buckets of soul - exploring love, faith, parenthood, pain and hope. The composition is stunning, and her performance is captivating from the moment her name is called to no answer. To write so evocatively, compose with such precision and perform with such feeling is rare. I wish I understood more about where this album comes from, and indeed Lauryn herself. This is the second time I've heard this album and it won't be the last. A true masterpiece, the likes of which don't come around often.

Great sound

What even is there to say. Miss Hill really will teach you about loving yourself

Literally the GOAT

Iconic

Truly an all-time classic. The lyrics, the production, the arrangements, the hooks—all are stellar, and Lauryn Hill is the magnetic center of it all.

All time great r&b album

This album is an insane powerhouse of 90s RnB. I was shocked at how many songs I knew, though I couldn't tell you who Ms. Hill was before this! I adore her rich alto voice and the mix of rap and harmonies. Fascinating storytelling, too. The classroom bits imply that Hill missed the day in class where they talk about love. Such a cool album- I really enjoyed this.

I had forgotten how complete this album is, from first track to last it’s an absolute masterpiece.

This album is a vibe. It has a very relatable message, especially to young people or people who are looking back on the time they were young. Lauryn is an excellent vocalist and the sound is not only good, it has an effortless coolness to it that isn't often found on every song on a whole album.

Separating the person from the music, this album is excellent. The songwriting, performances and instrumentation is amazing - almost like a Hi Records sound updated with hip-hop influence. If I have a complaint it would be the length of the album, which was a problem for most albums released around this time, but otherwise it is definitely worthy of being on this list.

Love this album. Absolute clasic

Masterpiece

5/10

I already know I am going to rate this 5 and I haven't started listening yet.

Classic.

Beautiful!

Top 10 album of the '90s for me

Ебать мать чувствует.

just fucking awesome

What a gift of an artist and a gift of an album. Wow. Top notch, spiritual, deeply creative, taking you on a journey from start through to the bitter end. One of the best hip hop/r&b albums I think I have ever heard.

Well done, Lauryn Hill. Smooth and rich all the way through.

Loved it

Tenía muchas expectativas de este disco, porque era referente de otras artistas que he escuchado ultimamente. 4.5/5 porque los tracks hablados no me gustaron tanto.

An album ahead of its time.

Wonderful.

Un brillante disco conceptual de rap, hip hop y r&b que ronda alrededor de una clase escolar. Rimas bien trabajadas, motas vocales bien logradas, un flow impecable y emotivo. X Factor es mi elección sencilla, aunque sin lugar a duda todo el disco funciona como un conjunto imperdible.

Mm dam I've listened to this already, I'll listen to it more carefully then, I used to write reviews between listening the music too, but it's better to listen to one and then rate I guess. Anyway theee Lauryn Hill, love her style, her way of rapping, especially the fact it's relatively older time, and I know more men from that time doing hip-hop. Hmm apparently people didn't fw this as much as I expected, I remember I do remember it having some boring moments, but for me that just means I haven't listened to it as much as to critic it like that. Lol I just saw it has a pencil on top, hence the name of the album, I kinda knew that, but the pencil itself is new. First song, little intro y'all. Unschool starting. Oop she ain't here. Second song, looove her rap songs. Also just realized there is a bam bam sample here, or vice versa idk. Can't be bored-a here tbh. Mm interlude at the end huh, didn't remember that one, dunno if this is real recording. Third song, vocals and the lyrical delivery is amazing here, definite switch up to R/B too, or soul maybe hmphh. 4th song, mmm the choir was unexpected. The beat is sentimental because of that guitar thingy. Her vocals delivering as always. Choir singing is actually catchy mm. Another schooly interlude yay. 5th song, this one of em good ones as I remember. Mmm yep, she rappin here too. Thought this one ended too early turns out a teacher gon appear. 6th song, love how she says some of em words. Background vocals is also delivering. Chorus is catchy, rap part was needed or the song was kinda weaker compared to others. 7th song, beat is catchy, I think this is the last rappy song here, might be mistaken. Too good to ignore, I'd love to learn the lyrics myself, dunno if I get around it tho. 8th song, I see the beauty in this song now, I didn't before, but the delivery and some temporary new beat being introduced is fun to notice now. 9th song, the intro was too good. Sonical parts are better than the vocal ones here tbh, if enough attention is paid. Weakest song by far, it's a grower tho, I'm kinda fucking with it now. 10th song, thought this was hip-hopy but nvm it changed to r/b again. Choruses are too catchy always, dam, she just sings them in a way that addicting. Nvm she's fast talking now. At first I didn't expect her to be this good at it, but I'm used to it now, just the modern time has only shown me Nicki and them being the woman rappers, Lauryn is left out for me, maybe not for others, anyway. 11th song, mmm like the start and the wonky beat already. Got me vibin, didn't even realize, walking became more enjoyable and then realized that song was kicking in. 12th song, nvm this is the weakest song now, D'Angelo is too soft as his usual self, didn't get into him before and not now either. Such a bad song omg, I had to fast forward dam this shi was bad. 13th song, mmm okayy this is a start of a song now, the orchestra is doing its job well. Dis the last rap song, what was I on before. I pay too much attention to that, because it's just an instant banger when she raps y'all. Her vocals are amazing, but it's more unique to rap that well, to me. 14th song, mm definitely a final song vibes. Because of the piano it's the most emotional song here of course. Definitely seeing the beauty here, couldn't be any better to be honest. Well even tho in a deluxe edition there's two more Song, they're just additions anyway, so I don't mind not listening to them rn. I enjoyed this album more now than before, as I expected so. I'll consider that D'Angelo song as if it was his song, cuz he really fucked up that song for me, song is in his direction more than Lauryn's. Otherwise it's a definite 5 star album, that I'll enjoy in the future too, I hope there's more of her here. Also it started raining here just as I finished the album, talk about the timing, now I actually gotta go back in home, thunder sounds too now.

It is amazing how much traction she has gotten based on one album, but it is a masterpiece.

Beautiful.

Can’t believe I’ve not listened to this before. No skips, all great vibes. It was the fastest hour of my week.

Pinnacle of 90s hip hop

back-to-back bangers, amazing album

This album rises above all classifications. It is simply on the short list for one of the best albums ever made.

It's fantastic. One of the few albums where I don't mind the skits, and it's so interesting to hear the songs that are sampled so heavily now.

One of my favourite albums of all time, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is such an insanely good album. I love how it has the mix of rap songs (I mean opening with Lost Ones, a diss track to your ex band-mate and romantic partner goes so hard) as well as soulful tracks, such as When It Hurts So Bad and I Used To Love Him. Plus, it features one of my favourite songs of all time, Doo Woop (That Thing), an anthem about self love and worth. This album ultimately shows the range of female emotions, however the overarching and strongest emotion of love is most present- which in itself is so beautiful. Incredible, 10/10, timeless.

Fantastic album

Exceptional

YESSSSS

Come on.

Boombap mistico

I love this album. The beats are so interesting. It feels just as fresh as if it were made yesterday, but it also seems of a different era. Lauryn Hill moves so easily between rapping and singing.

Perfect fusion of soul, r&b, and hip-hop. Beautiful songs with a beautiful theme. All timer. *Heard before

Amazing and clearly very influential. I'm not sure it is top 3 all time as many lists rank it, not that I am trying to knock it. I will be coming back to this album frequently.

What a ride. This is a genius level masterpiece and I can see why it’s so highly regarded. It really delves deep into the themes of what love is/means, and life in the black experience. It’s deep and thoughtful, and the musicianship is second to none. Love it.

Damn, this album is a work of art. Hip hop, soul, and R&B mixed together in such a beautiful package. Lauryn Hill is an incredible songwriter and vocalist, and every song on here is a must listen.

I was quite late listening to this, as only heard this for the first time a few months ago, its really good, as I think that she's obviously the best member of the Fugees, and the beats are quite similar, and there's quite a biographical theme to it, which is very interesting and quite easy to follow, not exactly a 'concept', but the skits with the teacher talking to the kids and then her not being there suggests she didn't know about the things which the teacher was teaching. Probably said this about the Fugees album, but she's just as talented a singer as she is a rapper, which is why I think this album stands out so much, as there's not really anyone I can think of who that's the case for. Everything is great about this though, the feature are very good and add to the songs, while still being very much a 'feature' and in the background to some extent. I didn't really like the one with Carlos Santana until I understood that its about her newborn son, which I should have probably noticed beforehand. Favourite songs: all but superstar. Overall around 9/10

I think my sister got this CD when it first came out when we were teenagers... I stole it and listened to it on repeat for a very very long time. This would be an easy 5 stars if there weren't so many skits. I mean its still 5 stars with them...

Classic.

HOW YOU GON WIN IF YOU AINT RIGHT WITHIN 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️

goat. love her and this album.

The best album. Period.

5 sterne

The Fugees album was great with the all time classic Killing Me Softly With His Song, and Lauryn was the star there. But there is no exaggeration when I say this might be the best album on this list. It has it all, an awesome singer, raps that sound great without any of the offesively unlistenable trends of the era, beats that are funky and diverse, and skits that are not only not terrible, but add to the experience. Doo Wop (That Thing) is so good, and so is Ex-Factor. Forgive Them Father, Every Ghetto, Every City, Everything is Everything, these songs are all perfect. Incredible album, no wonder it cleaned up the Grammy's in 99.

Super Dope

loved it! The blending of genres is done so well! The skits in between songs help me imagine a girl who is falling asleep or daydreaming in class, catching every other sentence her teacher says. I will definitely return to this album in the future to dive further into it. fav tracks: most of the first half 5/5

absolute banger. already in my top 100 albums for sure.

I had always thought of this album as one of those GOATed albums with a heavier "social relevance and glass ceiling" component (which is indeed important) than the actual music, but listening to it from start to finish made me realize this is indeed a five-star album.

Lauryn is a hall of famer in my estimation based solely on this and The Score. A great, great album, with some incredible standouts (the singles, obviously, but also "Every Ghetto, Every City" "Can't Take My Eyes off of You"). Was thinking 4 before I re-listened, but it's an obvious 5 after.

94/100

Absolutely iconic album that without question deserves its acclaim and recognition on this list. If you don’t like this, I don’t trust you, period.

A few years ago, during another listening challenge for the greatest albums ever, I rated this record the lowest possible grade. It was also fun to feel myself edgy calling it "extremely overrated". But I was wrong and I admit it. 3 skips (including the intro) amongst a 16 songs tracklist is incredible, and I'm not completely sure about those skips...

could probably perform 75% of this in a pinch

Intro - whatever Lost ones - 5/5. Great beat, flows over it well, good lyrics Ex Factor - 4/5. Much softer, but same topic as previous song. Two sides to a break up type thing. Her singing on this is quality, and this has been sampled a billion times. Just not quite my cup of tea. I find this kind of song boring. To Zion - 5/5. Incredible. Touching. Lovely music, writing, subject. Just a great song. Doo Wop - 5/5. Classic banger. That thing - 5/5. Excellent writing. Lovely music. Can't be bothered keeping going but its a 5 star album obviously

This Album is a classic, I listened to this a few years ago. Lauryn Hill is sick as

Wonderful music, an important album, still.

Back when this came out it would have been such an enthusiastic 5. Teetered a lot, but the genius in it is just so strong a pull I’m not going to let the stars reflect the fact that the songs could very arguably be 25% shorter, but… it’s great.

Wished her heart was still in rhyming.

If every Hip Hop album had at least 20% of the power and aura that this one has, the world would be a very different place.

One of the best ever

Eindelijk een wat meer hiphop oriented album, fijn voor de afwisseling, al is het een album wat ik echt al volledig plat heb gedraaid. Er is al zoveel gezegd over dit album en heel eerlijk voel het niet als mijn plek, als Europese blanke man, om hier iets aan toe te voegen, dus dat ga ik ook gewoon niet doen. All-time classic 10/10.

Fantastisch album. De nadruk op de bas en de drums werkt heel goed voor mij, sowieso vet dat je een groot gedeelte van het album alleen zang/rap, bas en drums hoort. Als er dan een saxofoon of piano in komt voel je die echt. Beats, zang en rap zijn ook allemaal top. Beste van het beste

Deemed the greatest album of all time by Apple. By all means it’s a 5/5 but in no way the greatest of all time. Great album nevertheless.

Masterpiece of an album, Lauryn hill could torture me like Jerry tortures Tom in the cartoons and is thank her

I've been rating more on my own personal preference and enjoyment than some kind of objective measure of quality. In other words, I haven't left any room for a rating that reflects the thought that "I can't stand this but it's an objectively great album, 5 stars." I've definitely rated the other way, as in "I know this is crap, but I love it, 5 stars." That changes a bit today. This is a 5 star album for me, more for what it represents than my enjoyment of it. I enjoy it, I appreciate it, to a 3 and a half or 4 star level. But the strength, the grace, the talent that is reflected here - the whole package taken in the context of its original release - 5 stars all the way.

The perfect album does not exi—

I started getting "too big for my britches" in artistic tastes because my mom would take so goddamn long in the grocery store or doctors office and I would read like the entirety of every remotely arts adjacent magazine they had. I bring that up here because I remember Time or one of the bigger magazines had a pretty good end of decade best of list and rated this number one. I had only heard the singles and had no money but I bought a used CD of it at the flea market for probably $5 or $10 with lawnmower money. The whole thing is so smooth and so good. It's unfortunate she went proper crazy but at least she got this one out.

One of the best albums ever.

An iconic and timeless album that's incredibly worthy of all of the praise it has received over the years.

Love this album from start to finish. What can I say. Another one where the skits actually add to the album

master peace

10 stars

It’s the fivest five and I will not be hearing any other commentary at this time.

Surprisingly good album. Lauryn Hill's vocals were soulful and soaring, and the beats were solid. The classroom interludes of the teacher and students talking about love were a little corny, but worked to tie the album together in a very '90's way.

들었던 적 있는 힙합 클래식

A brilliant R&B - Hip Hop fusion (one of the best ever).

5 city

classic shout-out eliasje also carlos santana !? ◑ω◐

This is a piece of pure culture, it has been sampled so many times and I feel I know why

She burned out fast, but she burned bright. Ex-Factor is the second best song on the album. To Zion, the greatest anti-abortion song ever. The speaking interludes I could do without. Doo Wop (That Thing) was the big hit, it's good and the video was cool. Demanding everything with your name on it come with the honorific "Ms." before it is pretentious as hell. There are a lot of R&B/Soul artists who owe a lot to this album...Amy Winehouse not the least of them. Nothing Even Matters with D'Angelo is like the NeoSoul equivalent of Batman and Superman teaming up. D'Angelo makes everything better. You don't realize how bad Frankie Valli sucks until you hear Lauryn Hill do Can't Take My Eyes Off of You, one of the all time great covers. Tell Him ends the album and is another home run.

Easy 5/5

this is such a good album! i feel like i’ve never taken the time to listen to this record and i’m mad at myself for waiting so long. her ability to switch from singing to rapping and back again is mind boggling.

It took growing up to truly appreciate this album for what it is. The production, the sound, the conceptualization, the raps... this is one of the late 90's pillars of pop culture. So much of modern hip-hop can trace its' way back to this albums integrity and complexity. It's a huge win for female artists presenting themselves how they want to be seen and putting forward their ideas for production and songwriting.

nice

don’t know how i missed this one. top to bottom excellence. beats, grooves, great singer and MC, heartfelt songs. This is the kind of album you want to share with anyone

An absolute classic album that I will always hold high on my all time favorites. The vocal performances, the production, the concept, all around brilliant! Glad Lauren eventually did the right thing and pay her taxes!

I will always respect Ms. Hill for her evasion of taxes, because fuck theft. That money was better spent on her children, than it was for drone bombing the middle east. Good for her for doing what was best for her family, and fuck the US government and the IRS for putting her in a cage for it. Anyhoo, this is a great album, with a bit of nostalgia. This came out my senior year, and it got much play. Doo Wop is a classic hit, but I like Final Hour. Good, uplifting lyrics, nice mix of soul and hip-hop. The music on When it Hurts So Bad is awesome, as are her vocals. Definitely my favorite. She has a great singing voice and flow. Really a complete artist. This album is a 5 in my ears.

An incredibly sophisticated and enjoyable listen. Beautiful vocals mixed with engaging lyrics and themes showcase how much talent Lauryn Hill brings. One of the best albums I've never heard of before

e realmente muy bueno.

What a great album, no complaints at all

fav- zion

Repeat listen

A classic.

Stone cold near perfect neo-soul. This record almost 30 years on still sounds fresh.

Maravilhoso chique demais que som ótimo.

Come onnnn what do you say? It's a masterpiece. Its beautiful in every aspect. There isn't anything left to say. Everyone should listen. And that's that

Classic. Impossible to overstate her impact on 90s music and modern stuff.

Classic

love this album , amazing all the way through want to buy it on vinyl

5/5. I never listened to this one even though I know it is highly praised. And of course, it's excellent, the beats and instrumentation are amazing and her vocals are excellent, especially the Jamaican raps. Each song stands out and feels so fresh and original, while honoring the past. The skits are also bittersweet and cute, reminiscing on school and those teachers who define your childhood. There was never a skip on here, so glad it showed on this list. Throwing it up on my albums I repeat listen to. Best Song: Ex-Factor, Doo Wop (That Thing), Nothing Even Matters, Superstar

Truly one of the greatest and most influential albums of all time. The things its influenced can be heard everywhere either directly as a sample or just something she normalized. Since my last listen ~2 years ago I've learned more about Lauryn's relationships during this period and sis was a mess. That added context and also just picking up more things each listen enhances the experience. Stand outs for me are "Doo Wop" and "Nothing Even Matters" with "Forgive them Father" being one of my favorites ever. Hearing the classroom speak on their understanding of Love really draws sad cross references to Lauryn's failed relationships and her failure to find a healthy love. She clearly knows it inside but continued to make strange romantic decisions.

Should be on a list of greatest albums over time. Great flow, beats, stories.

Brilliant. An all time favorite.

I feel like this album serves as my litmus test for how important is cultural significance in "objective" critique. Turns out it does move the needle. I'm not sure this is a pure 5/5, but it matters(ed) so much it fills the cracks without its own cultural splash

A great discovery, I listened to Lauryn Hill before but it was the first time listening to this album. She is so talented, and I really enjoyed how she went from one genre to another.

A masterpiece. I remember playing this one to death; everyone was. It had captured a zeitgeist of those looking for an album equally rap and hip hop as much as it was pop/r&b, and Lauryn delivered. Some since have called it out as a bit preachy and even hypocritical at times, and I hear that, but the heart and authenticity that is behind each song gives it a pass.

How has Lauryn Hill only ever released a single album? I get that she has been featured on a bunch of songs but she definitely deserved to have more albums because this one is incredible. She is insanely talented and I can't believe I'm just now finding this album. I will listen to this many more times. I had heard several of the songs from the album ("Ex-Factor", "Doo Wop (That Thing)") before so it wasn't totally a virgin listen but, man, so many other songs deserve more playtime. I was also familiar with "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" but had never heard her cover. I can definitely hear how she influenced so many artists in the 00s and 10s.

Throwback vibes

LETS GOOO IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS

The completionists album. There are no misses in the track listing here. An exploration of love and identity through the gentle concept of a predominantly black classroom discussion. Many things are impressive about Miseducation. One of which is how every beat is great, and no beat gets in the way of Ms. Lauren Hill. But I suppose it’s hard to do that, because another impressive thing is how Lauren Hill can sing and croon AND rap all in one song, or switch it up completely from one song to the next. I hear some Stevie Wonder inspiration sprinkled throughout this album. I hear it specifically on the vocal runs in “To Zion” with Carlos Santana, which is such a sweet pairing. I also hear the influence in “Every Ghetto, Every City” with those Stevie Wonder “Superstitious” keys. Beyond the sonic influence, I hear how she can speak from the heart about matters both personal and social, both she and he could cut through lots of tropes to get to the core of what they wanted to speak on. “Doo Wop (That Thing)” is a classic that doesn’t need to be talked about, just listened to. “Ex-factor” is crazy because it’s one of her best songs for the first four minutes or so, then has a Prince-esque guitar solo at the end that makes it even better. “Final Hour” is just bars after bars after bars, it’s dizzying and so full of phrases to think on. Miseducation is a project of the heart, from the heart.

Very nostalgic…it really did move me. I know the spiritual girlies got this on repeat. My favorite songs are probably That Thing and Ex-Factor

Simply one of the best albums of my lifetime. Still think so even though she never really followed it up! Been listening to it consistently since release

muito bom e relaxante de ouvir depois de um dia ruim de trabalho

## **In-depth Review of *The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill*** Lauryn Hill’s 1998 debut solo album, *The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill*, is widely regarded as a landmark in music history. It blends neo-soul, R&B, hip-hop, reggae, and gospel into a cohesive masterpiece. The album explores themes of love, heartbreak, motherhood, spirituality, and self-discovery, and its impact on the music industry and culture remains profound. --- ### **Lyrics** Hill’s lyricism is deeply personal and poetic, marked by vulnerability and empowerment. The album’s title reflects its concept: educating oneself about life and love beyond societal constructs. Tracks like “To Zion” narrate her decision to embrace motherhood despite external pressures to prioritize her career. The lyrics are raw and emotive: > “But everybody told me to be smart / ‘Look at your career,’ they said / ‘Lauryn, baby, use your head.’ / But instead I chose to use my heart”[1][4]. “Ex-Factor” delves into the complexities of a toxic relationship with poignant lines like: > “It could all be so simple / But you'd rather make it hard”[5]. The album also addresses broader themes of self-empowerment in songs like “Doo Wop (That Thing),” where Hill warns against materialism and superficiality: > “Don’t be a hard rock when you really are a gem”[4]. Her ability to weave biblical references with modern struggles adds depth, as seen in tracks like “Forgive Them Father,” which critiques betrayal while invoking spiritual forgiveness[5]. --- ### **Music** Musically, *The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill* is a genre-defying work. It predominantly falls under neo-soul and R&B but incorporates elements of hip-hop, reggae, and gospel. Hill’s versatility shines as she seamlessly transitions between singing and rapping. Songs like “Lost Ones” showcase her sharp rap delivery over a reggae-infused beat, while ballads such as “Nothing Even Matters,” featuring D’Angelo, highlight her soulful vocal range[5]. Instrumentation is lush and varied. Tracks like “Everything Is Everything” feature orchestral arrangements paired with hip-hop beats, creating cinematic soundscapes. The use of live instruments—guitars, strings, piano—adds an organic quality that contrasts with the heavily sampled production typical of late-90s hip-hop[2][5]. --- ### **Production** Hill largely oversaw the production herself, aiming for authenticity rather than commercial appeal. She intentionally avoided polished perfection to maintain emotional resonance: > “I don’t like things to be too perfect or too polished. People may criticize me for that, but I grew up listening to Al Green and Sam Cooke. When they hit a high note, you actually felt it”[5]. The production incorporates diverse influences: gospel-inspired harmonies on “I Used to Love Him,” reggae rhythms on “Forgive Them Father,” and hip-hop beats on “Doo Wop (That Thing).” However, the album faced controversy due to lawsuits from contributors who claimed they were not properly credited for their roles in songwriting and production[5]. --- ### **Themes** The album’s themes revolve around love in its many forms—romantic love (“Ex-Factor”), maternal love (“To Zion”), divine love (“Tell Him”), and self-love (“The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill”). It also tackles societal issues such as materialism (“Doo Wop”), betrayal (“Forgive Them Father”), and cultural identity (“Superstar”). Hill’s exploration of motherhood is especially groundbreaking for a young female artist in the male-dominated hip-hop industry. Her decision to prioritize her child over her career challenges societal norms that often devalue women’s roles as mothers[1][4]. --- ### **Influence** *The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill* was both commercially successful and critically acclaimed. It won five Grammy Awards in 1999, including Album of the Year—the first hip-hop record to do so[4][5]. Its influence extends beyond music; it inspired artists across genres (e.g., Beyoncé, Adele) and elevated neo-soul into mainstream consciousness. Tracks like “Ex-Factor” have been sampled by contemporary artists such as Drake (“Nice for What”)[4]. Hill’s emphasis on authenticity and vulnerability paved the way for future artists to explore personal themes without compromising artistic integrity. --- ### **Pros** - **Lyrical Depth:** Hill’s lyrics are introspective yet universal, addressing themes that resonate across generations. - **Genre Fusion:** The seamless blending of R&B, hip-hop, reggae, and gospel creates a unique soundscape. - **Vocal Versatility:** Hill excels both as a singer and rapper. - **Timeless Themes:** Issues like self-love, spirituality, and cultural identity remain relevant. - **Cultural Impact:** The album redefined expectations for women in hip-hop while influencing countless artists. --- ### **Cons** - **Production Controversy:** Lawsuits over songwriting credits cast a shadow over its creation. - **Limited Follow-Up:** Hill’s retreat from the industry after this album left fans longing for more. - **Occasional Overproduction:** Some tracks might feel overly dense due to layered instrumentation. --- ### **Conclusion** *The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill* is an enduring masterpiece that transcends genres and generations. Its lyrical honesty, musical innovation, and cultural significance solidify its status as one of the greatest albums ever made. While controversies surrounding its production exist, they do little to diminish its artistic brilliance or lasting influence.

One of my favorite old school hip hop albums.

Yeah I definitely think this is pretty much a perfect record. And would rank it up with D'Angelo's work and Amy Winehouse's Back to Black as one of the best neo-soul albums ever made. It's a shame it's the only thing she ever did after the Fugees, but glad we at least got this masterpiece

This one of the few CD albums that rides in the car, full time.

I got chills listening to the fourth song on this album so I went and looked up the backstory for To Zion, and holy hell I did not know that she wrote for her first child, Zion, who she considered aborting. Maybe some people only have one (solo) album in them, but if their album is anywhere as good as this, I'll call that a win.

Hill is such a complicated figure. It's hard to be a music fan and not look back at the decades that have passed since Miseducation with a sense of disappointment. But we got this record, and even just one nearly-perfect album is more than enough, right?

great Album, got it on vinyl

Love it own it

A diverse, multitudinous album whose influence reaches back to even today. Aside from being a great vocalist and a raw rapper, I love how Hill is not afraid to tackle different subjects in her album that might be very un-commercial for a producer.

This is a long album that's framed conceptually and has numerous skits, and yet no part of me believes it should be abridged. 'Consequence is no coincidence,' raps Hill on 'Lost Ones,' and neither is success in vision or in voice. Presumably, this album is about L-O-V-E, but Lauryn Hill cut class and missed the relevant seminars. In that way, w/ an all-over-the-place intellect, Ms. Lauryn raps and sings herself into an education that carries religious themes ('Zion'), rap history ('Hip-hop started out in the heart'), relationship advice ('Baby girl, respect is just a minimum'), and her own regretful sacrifices ('Gave all my power ceased being queen'). She raps as well as she sings, and has a doo-wop soul at bottom. A necessary classic.

Come in, drop a 5 star album, and bounce. Now that's living the dream.

Heard it before, and before I even listen to it today, its a 5.

magical

Game changer. Lauryn shows 3 things in this album: 1. She is the greatest female rapper to ever live 2. She can write better than all male rappers 3. She can sing better than all female rappers and probably top in the whole industry. Thats just her. The album is an absolute treasure deserving of beingnin the conversation of best album by a female rapper ever. Although it has soul and gospel and a lot of atuff mixed in there, the lyrics are absolute bombs with no chill. If this shit dont make you feel pain you have never been in love. While Wyclef killed the league with his concept album the carnaval which is one of my favorites, this is just perfection and although I was team wyclef after the break-up, this album remade me thibk about my actions and desicions. The older I get the better it is. Must listen every single human being

One of my favourites. Incredible album 👌🏼.

What separates Lauren Hill from not just all the piers of not just her era but really modern music writ large. It begins with that voice. Not one that reaches for the rafters but rather finds all the spaces in between. Lead, back up, harmony, chorus, from rapping to crooning to toasting - she covers it. Sometimes several simultaneously. Each iteration sounds unique - filled with emotion and confidence. Sh seems to take the best of Stevie wonder, joni Mitchell and a just a touch of island spice. Singular. So much so maybe she knew better to leave week enough alone.

It’s really sad that Lauryn Hill is never going to be able to pull this off again, it’s basically flawless. She’s just as good at rapping as she is singing, and it’s loaded with memorable harmonies and verses. She deserved the world and was close to getting it, but at least we’ll always have this. A

iconic, one of the best of all time - r&b-rap vibes, sort of across between ann peebles/parquet courts/fugees/missy elliot (maybe??)

I came into this not expecting much. I basically never listen to hip hop, R&B, pop, pretty much any genre you’ll find in this album. Boy was I surprised. The pacing on this record is really great, it’s up there with Mellon Collie or the White Album in terms of making a long album not seem long. Hill is also great at both rapping and singing, which isn’t a huge achievement but I always love it when rap music incorporates singing. Also I never knew That Thing was by Lauryn Hill so that came as a complete surprise to me

Really enjoyed this -- it's one of those albums that I just never got around to, even though everyone was saying at the time how brilliant it was. Wasn't in a hip-hop/soul place in my life then. It's a little overstuffed and some of the overdubbed flourishes, at least to me, detract a bit from some of the tunefulness. But Ms. Hill has bars for days and a beautiful, beautiful voice. Unexpected bangers: Forgive them Father, Final Hour, Ex-Factor

LOVED IT. ICONIC.

I listened to this album so many times.

One of the best albums ever ever ever. Untouchable!

Come on!

just an absolute stone cold classic ... no two ways about it

Just a top-to-bottom perfect album.

Grew up on The Fugees and when this album dropped I was stoked. Lots of love for this body of work and a product of NJ.

Lauryn Hill said her heart was in Zion I wish her heart still was in rhymin’

A seminal album of my teens till today. I love that the mayor of the Newark was Lauryn Hills school teacher and is the voice of the convo with kids about love. Such a beautiful interstitial moment

Beautiful, just that. Will keep coming back again and again to it. A 9, maybe 10 in the future.

Superb

The more I listen, the more I appreciate this. 4 plus that I am rounding up.

What an extraordinary album. The consistency was also remarkable because albums of this length tend to dip at points but this was one was incredible throughout. Favorites: Ex-Factor, Doo Wop (That Thing), Forgive Them Father

Pure nostalgia. My first boyfriend bought me this for my birthday.

BEST SONGS: - Ex-Factor - To Zion - SuperStar - Everything is Everything

This told a good story, and I felt the emotional and passion in each verse. A great listen.

Hip hop beats & old school harmonies. Love dis

This is one of my all time favourite albums that has really stood the test of time for me. I even love the sections between with the school students.

All-timer.

Class

The fact that she’s arguably got one of the best female rapper voices of all time but can sing like a real diva is a demonstration of Lauryn’s versatility and sheer brilliance. Always loved the classroom interludes throughout the album where the children and teacher talk about the meaning of love. LH’s career could have sunk big time after the big Fugees fall out, yet she went out on her own and dropped this album…take a bow! what a star!

From beginning to end A long winding ride Funk, soul, R&B blend On Lauryn's Hill I side Musically rich, interesting Cute and funny interludes Tax fraud needs arresting She amongst the dudes

4.53

Amazing!

The thing about Lauryn Hill is that this record is so goddamn good. But the thing about Lauryn Hill is that she absolutely knows this and hasn't stopped talking about it since 1998. Deserves all the praise - the seamless blend of soul, R'n'B and hip hop, the otherworldly production and the (for once) relevant-to-the-concept-and-story intermissions.

Damn, I wish more soul records sounded this amazing! Really sensational from start to finish. I've listened multiple times trying to absorb it all and don't feel like I've experienced it all yet. Hill's lyrics are so passionate and real, focusing on self-exploration amid a political climate that shaped her. The music is absolutely perfect, so full of soul and rhythm. I've known for a long time that this was an album Worth listening to but it took the generator to sit me down, shut me up, and make me hear it. Fantastic find!

Good mood, maybe it's only a 4.5, but I'll round up because like 4 of the songs are super good

Steven correct everyone else wrong

I've heard this album before. It's great. Intro. Not much to say, establishes themes present througout the whole album. Lost ones. Opens the album with a solid bop. Beat is bouncy, verses are well rapped, and the singing on the chorus is marvelous. Ends in a solid interlude. Production does not take the attention off Lauren Hill's performance. 5/5 Ex-Factor. Soulful. Strong RNB track. Produced excelently. Great layering of vocals. Passionate and oozing confidence. Love the windchimes, and the background vocals. Large and powerful ending. Guitar solo carthartic. 5/5 To Zion. The Latin guitar brought by Carlos Santana immediately sticks out as something fresh and different. Rougher mixing than the previous track. Religous themes well executed. Passionate and epic. The storytelling brought by the interlude is intriguing. 4.8/5 Doo Wop (That Thing). Gets into the action quickly. Great energy. Classic. Great beat. Solid flow on the first verse. Horns contrast well against the instrumentation so far on the album. Iconic chorus. Always a pleasure 5/5 Superstar. Starts a bit weaker than previous tracks Slower, vocal focused track. A bit sparse. Repeats itself a bit too much for my taste. 3.5/5 Final Hour. Flute sample is cool. Fun bars. Rhyme scheme is impressive. Confident. Horns deserve a shoutout for their inclusion, subtle. Singing wraps up the song nicely. 4/5 When it hurts so bad. Bass immediately sticks out for it's deoth and groove. Vocals float over the background music in a really natural way. She does a great job on some really difficult sounding vocal parts. Clear cut and straight forward messaging about opportunity. Well written track front to back. 5/5 I Used to Love Him. A bit sharp on the ears when the opening line enters the track. Fantastic bass. Somber and reflective. Quite beautiful. Great feature. Builds upon itself into a really catchy and infectious tune. Had to instantly replay. 5/5 Forgive them Father. Immediate contrast to the previous track. Catchy. Great beat. Great use of the (horn sample?) Classy and just straight out cool. African american struggles are well communicated in the lyrics. 4/5 Every Ghetto Every City. Funky. Triumphant. Nostalgic, reflective track, mirrored in the funk inspired instrumentation. Fun track about of the good ol' days. Decent enough, probably more significant if you understand the references. 3.8/5 Nothing Really Matters. Smooth. D'Angelo is a gem. Lovely harmonies. Momentous. So so smooth. Minimal instrumentation really gives the song the space it deserves. Sensual and sweet. Amazing 5/5 Everything is Everything. Chaotic. Not sure about the instrumentation. A bit too loud to the point of it being distracting. Well performed. Layering on the chorus is exceptional. Decent. 3.5/5 The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill Sums up the themes of self-empowerment, faith and building one's own path. Soulful and passionate. Organ and piano plays well off each other. Simple and effective. 4/5 Can't take my eyes off of you (I need you baby). Great cover of a classic track. Interesting to hear this song from the perspective of a woman. Subtler and less bombastic than the original. Makes it her own. 4.2/5 Tell Him. Acustic guitar plays a nice little melody. Passionate. Wraps up the themes of love nicely. Present and aware. Powerful backing vocals. Great closer. 5/5 Absolutely stunning album front to back. Fav track: Impossible to chose Least fav track: Superstar

Excellent album!

Immaculate

this album is a masterpiece- and Hill's Album of the Year award and every other award given for this album is highly highly deserved. The melodies are both catchy and soulful and are shown off by Hill's skilled vocals- her runs and lower register are particularly impressive to me, the rapping is energetic and engaging and speaks about culturally relevant topics like misogyny and racism, and the production is extremely sharp, with the framing and structure of the album pulling everything together. I'm not quite sure if I would call it a full concept album (again bc my definition of one is extremely limited) but it definitely has elements of one and I really love that the overarching theme of the album (as demonstrated by the various recordings of students talking in the classroom during the first half of the album) is love <3

Another easy 5*s

This is a phenomenal album.

n album that effortlessly switch’s between powerhouse singing and skilled rapping.

Front to back banger, soulful, flowing, head-bopping & real. 5 stars for sure.

Banger

Once again we have ourselves another 90's classic right here

Easy 5 stars for this one, absolute masterpiece from start to finish! If you only bring out one solo album in your life this is the way to do it! Great soulful, R&B hip hop combo. From the links of school conceit to the songwriting, singing and music not a foot wrong, probably right to not try and follow it up.

Monumental. Narrativ, sångskrivande, sound. Har allt.

It’s widely regarded as one of the best albums of all time and I think that’s fairly apt. I’d be amazed if it wasn’t on this list. It’s not a perfect 1000/1000 or even a 100/100 for me but 5/5 I think is fair enough. A lot of variety, a lot of passion and musical talent and just good songs. It’s got running themes and as a hip-hop album goes it both samples and has since been sampled which I think says a lot about it. Sampling Sister Nancy (Bam Bam) is one thing but getting some Frankie Vallie in there is another. Lauryn Hill makes both work. Not surprising because she’s basically hip-hop royalty and this album is apparently good enough that she hasn’t bothered putting out another one since. The Fugees are goated and it’s clear that Ms. Lauryn Hill pulled her own weight. She can sing, rap, produce and write. Her lyrics are poetic but accessible though I think some of the references are lost on me but I attribute that to time and my sometimes limited understanding of hip-hop and black history. Can’t mark her down for that. I’ve listened before and probably will again.

The only complaint I have is that it’s a double album length. Other than that, it’s Ms. Lauryn Hill, that speaks for itself. Crazy that this is her only studio album and even crazier it debuted at number one and sold 20 million copies around the world. I’ve been on the fence between a four and five all day, but I think I’m gonna go with a five because of the notoriety of the album.

Amazing songs, voice, charisma, everything. As often, the album is probably 15 minutes too long.

Great R&B and rap mixed album Life telling

There is a reason it's so critically acclaimed. Legendary for a debut.

Superb

Flawless album, 10/10. All these 1 and 2 star reviews either don’t like hip-hop, or just hate black women. I’d wager it’s more the latter. I haven’t found one valid criticism of this album that isn’t just grasping at straws to say anything bad about it. Aside from that, this is really one of the most genuine, heartfelt, inspired albums out there, with phenomenal production, writing, and melodies.

This album is nearly 27 years old and sounds nearly as fresh as it did when it came out. The beats are inspired, with the funk-inspired ones as the major highlight. Ms. Hill's vocals are soulful and combine with her lyrics to almost give this hip-hop classic a gospel feel. An album whose influence can be felt from Kanye West to Drake to Kendrick Lamar.

This album is fucking incredible. I could delve into why and what the stand-out shit is, but I'd just be talking over Ms. Hill. Let her amazing work speak for itself. Listen and enjoy!

I just love this album. Her vocal placement is just incredible and the runs on the title track had me re-listening back-to-back multiple times. It still feels thematically relevant and modern but simultaneously so of-the-time. You can tell it’s an incredibly personal project but it has many moments that capture something emotionally universal.

Beautiful, musical, & sharp from beginning to end. Has a strong through-line (like an album should). Everything is Everything, and this album is everything. Desert-island album.

I’ve always known of this album but never actually knew the songs, it’s REALLY good, the interludes at the end of the tracks Jam the pace a tad but the songs are still good enough to keep it as a 5/5

10/10 Favorite Tracks: Ex-Factor, To Zion, Can't Take My Eyes Off of You Least Favorite: NONE

Awesome album

One of the most influential albums of all time. Perfect, no notes.

Grat

Best of the best. Soundtrack of my summer of 1998.

Great

01) Intro - / 02) Lost Ones - 8,5 03) Ex-Factor - 10,0 04) To Zion - 10,0 05) Doo Wop (That Thing) - 10,0 06) Superstar - 9,0 07) Final Hour - 8,5 08) When It Hurts So Bad - 8,5 09) I Used to Love Him - 8,5 10) Forgive Them Father - 9,0 11) Every Ghetto, Every City - 8,5 12) Nothing Even Matters - 8,5 13) Everything Is Everything - 10,0 14) The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - 9,0 15) Can't Take My Eyes Off of You - 10,0 16) Tell Him - 8,5 TOTAL: 9,10 (91/100) Current ranking: 35/414

Not a huge rap fan but holy shit

Every song a banger, loving the Marley influences throughout. Liked the little interviews in the classroom too.

One of my all-time favorite albums! Lauren Hill is a Classic.

Lauryn Hill is one of the best female rappers and this is easily one of the best rap albums of the 90’s… just flawless

Lieb ich

It exceeded expectations. It's a good album. I probably won't ever listen to it again, but I'm glad I did listen to it.

Really cool album, even tho a bit long, i think it had a great artistic value.

Fundamental

Ive listenend to this before and its a classic

This is the perfect blend of R&B and Rap. Lauryn Hill has a lovely voice and better bars than most rappers. Front to back, this album is loaded with great songs. It’s a fantastic record, but that being said, I think it might be the most overrated album ever. Apple making this the album of all time is insane to me. I’m a big fan of the album, but I think there’s quite a few better rap albums out there let alone albums from all genres.

Gotta be top 3 most influential albums in hip hop. I heard a lot about it before listening and it did not disappoint

Yet another hip-hop album, 3rd in 10, but one that I have listened to, and like, a lot. It has recently been voted best album ever by Apple Music, it’s not that, but it is very, very good. I can hear a direct line from ‘70s soul like Donny Hathaway and Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley too. Strange that she never made another but perhaps Miseducation said everything she needed it to…

This is a landmark record. So good. It's interesting and sad that Lauryn Hill only made one studio album. She kind of dropped the mic and exited the building.

It had been a while since I listened to this, so I was wondering "is it really as good as I remember it/the critics say?" And was expecting to be disappointed. But, nope. Just really solid album with nearly no missteps.

Genre-breaking classic. Ripping out of the gate by telling us precisely what she's about--and maybe signalling why fame and acclaim were never going to work for her: It's funny how money change a situation My emancipation don't fit your equation I was on the humble, you on every station ...then juking every expectation by following up this hip hop track with the lovesick 'Ex-Factor'...before juking again to the gospel-inflected ode to her first born son, 'To Zion.' & that's just the first 3 tracks. It's weird to almost think of her in the same veing as Amy Winehouse since Amy is gone - but it seems like maybe fame did a similar number on Ms. Hill, making it impossible for her to put anything else on this level out. I guess we should be grateful we got this album at all.

Outstanding album but I think understanding the context behind the songs and the general hip-hop/rap landscape at its time of release is crucial to fully appreciating it.

This was one of the albums that was bought as part of my high school CD buying / sharing group - I always loved it when it was my turn! 'I used to love him' and 'Everything is Everything' are two personal faves, I'm not so big on 'Doo Wop' and a few other tracks - but this album still stands up well today and I loved having it on all day today. This is an awesome album for Hill to put out after the success of Fugees The Score (which I also love) full of passion, heartbreak, self love and female power. I have always enjoyed the little skits between tracks in albums, and I remember this one coming out while I was in high school, so I think I really connected with the concept. This album is very nostalgic for me, so this will probably influence my rating - though to be fair I think it is an amazing album of a powerhouse performer (even though sounds like she might be a bit problematic as an individual)!

é o único album dela. imagina ce fazer UM ALBUM SÓ e ser a maior pedrada do r&b/hip-hop das últimas 3 décadas. que absurdo. é, tem jeito não. vou te falar que eu conhecia o album mas nunca tinha escutado absolutamente nada dele. achei lindíssimo e singelo, a lauryn hill consegue ser vulnerável, direta e até agressiva quando precisa, sem medo nenhum. muito bem produzido, super bem feito. nem quero parecer precoce, mas acho que esse é um dos melhores da lista, de verdade. no mais, fiquei hypado. dois dias seguidos com 5 estrelas tô animado.

Fantastic

My review disappeared.

I gave this 4 when it topped the Apple Music list because I don’t think it’s the best of all time. It’s definitely really a 5 tho.

Another game changer. A brilliant album that changed the world. ‘That thing’ is a stone cold lay down misere classic. The sketches are decent. The album flows. It’s perfectly sequenced. It opens the game wide open. Still hugely influential. 30000 stars. Genius only has to be genius once. So with no follow up (so far) her position is secure. If her next album is Happy birthday in A quarter flat minor with Lauren intoning the ingredients of a dog food can in monotone she’s still a genius.

I mean, does it deserve anything less?

oh come on. no contest. 5 stars

Estoy enamorado de este disco, del concepto, de que se oiga pasar lista en la clase, de todo. Un disco perfecto ejemplo de esa época y de todo lo que me gustaba del hip-hop/rap o lo que sea.

This is a modern classic. It transcended boundaries at the time and brought forward a new wave of femal hip hop stars that followed in her trail. The soul, the voice, the composition and songs are all top tier. Having the balls to leave Everything is Everything to the second last track of an album lasting over an hour is amazing for the time. Its a shame she is now as mad as a bag of cats as id have loved to have witnessed what she could have gone on to do

Outstanding

classic

Now this is an album that I had high expectations for. I mean, how could I not? Between Apple Music calling it the greatest album ever made, the overwhelmingly high praise I've seen for it online, and my own experience with Lauryn Hill's former group Fugees, there was a lot of high pressure for me to like The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. So, did this album meet my expectations? Of course it did. This album's phenomenal. Would I call it the greatest album of all time? No. Absolutely not. However, aside from that one list, this album is properly rated. It truly is as amazing as people have said it is. Lauryn Hill was my favorite part of that Fugees album, so hearing her get to shine on her own here was great. Her singing and rapping is impeccable. Of course, she isn't totally alone. The features on this album are quite strong. The skits actually add to the theming of the albums, which is something that they kind of need to do. The actual songs are all great too. I especially love "Doo Wop (That Thing)." The themes of the album are also nice. The focus on things like love, spirituality, and gender are very welcome in an album like this. Despite lasting for 77 minutes, this album really doesn't drag. It's a bit long, but the time is spent well. Overall, this is a wonderful album that serves as an excellent showing of talent from Ms. Lauryn Hill. This album is truly one of a kind. Literally! She only released one album. I guess that technically makes this her worst solo studio album too. Let's not think about that. This album's amazing. 5/5.

I've been waiting for this one. And it delivers.

A highlight of the 1990s that holds up very well. I would love to see an unauthorized Lauryn Hill biopic - seems like a real character.

Ok i remember this album and it was one of my Moms favorites. Going to listen again as an adult and see how it holds up. I’m actually older than my mom was when she bought this album. Should be interesting. Ok it still holds up. To Zion was always top track and still is

This is one of the flagship R&B/ Soul / hip hop albums. It's personal, focused, and has a lot to say and a story to tell. I don't love all the 90s/ 00s R&B where it's a lot of singing without real hooks and this does fall into that sometimes but those moments are relatively far in between. The way these tracks are big and grand yet still catchy is always impressive. I haven't listened to this in a while and it's crazy how much hip hop and r&b after extensively sampled and in some case, just ripped off tracks on this. Drake's 'Nice for what' samples so much off of Ex-Factor it could be considered a remix. All in all it's timeless and as for R&B there isn't anything in the lane that comes close in quality.

gem

This album was excellent from start to finish. She's a great rapper, the reggae sounds worked in really well and I liked the beats, plus thought-provoking lyrics. Rating: 5

If I could give this 6 stars I would Ridiculously iconic Favs: literally every single song cannot pick one

One of the best albums of all time. Standout tracks (all of them are, but these have been my faves for years, all 5/5): - Ex-factor - Final hour - I used to love him - Nothing even matters - Everything is everything - THIS is the song I heard in Paperchase, I typed the lyrics on my phone (before Shazam), found this album on Spotify and I ended up not listening to anything outside of this genre for the next two years LOL

Iconic rap/R&B album.

This album was an absolute game changer, I first listened to it when I was a teenager and I feel like it gave me so much perspective and understanding of the world. The miseducation of Lauryn Hill was actually my own education

Loved having more than just a series of songs for the train ride to start my week - we got an interesting concept too! Had me turning up the volume to hear those classroom scenes, the atmosphere was great. A genre I'm totally at sea with and yet I can tell the songwriting is brilliant. Thoughtful lyrics and lovely voice to listen to

A bit long, but man are there a lot of reviews here that are unfairly negative. This is an amazing album with incredible range. I would drop the interludes/skits. Far too many and the album would probably be under an hour without them, and it would be easier to put some of these on playlists. My god, though, so many of you chuds are so incapable of enjoying female artists or rap of any kind.

All time classic for a reason

What an amazing album. Lauryn blends hip-hop and neo-soul with touches of reggae, and does it all perfectly. Her voice is absolutely incredible, the lyrics are deep and thought provoking, and the music production is top tier. This albums deserves all the praise that it has received over the years.

One of the only double albums with a justifiable length. One of the only album to use interludes in an original way that doesn’t feel forced or time padding. The songs themselves are fantastic, introspective, and beautifully executed. Writing and lyrics are thoughtful to the point of researched while also remaining unique to only Lauryn. Production and arrangement are both great. I own this album and always enjoy finding new things upon another listen. Truly phenomenal. 5/5

I mostly enjoyed this but it felt like it could have been two albums. Just a bit too long. This would have been two albums in the vinyl era and I think it would have a stronger presence if it was split up and tighter. By the middle of the album I had already forgotten how the first few songs went. That said, pretty much every song on their own are great. Lauryn’s voice is just full of emotion without being over the top and the music has some great grooves. Lots of soul inspirations, throwbacks to Stax and Motown. Good stuff.

Un gran álbum y un clásico, que pena que no sacó más música en solitario

Lauryn Hill was one of the first concerts I went to independently as a teenager, and I found energy and life in this album that I couldn't find anywhere else. The phrase "Consequence is no coincidence" from Lost Ones has become a mantra for me throughout my life as an inspiration to continually show up and be an active participant in my own life, and to be an advocate for myself. I think she was truly one of the great voices of the 90's, and although its sad her personal choices have kind of marred her reputation as an artist now, this album will always stand out to me as one of the greats. 10/10

I remember when this album first came out, producing some serious hit singles, seemingly keeping Lauryn Hill heavily featured on MTV's rotation in the late 90's. And rightfully so. 'Doo Wop (That Thing)' was an absolute banger that still holds up today with its catchy brass section, bouncy piano, phenomenal lyricism and rapping, and an infectious chorus to top it off. The soulful 'Ex-Factor', truly showcasing just what an amazing vocalist she is. And 'Everything Is Everything', with its unbelievably engaging orchestral backdrop only adding to the song's addictive melody. This album has everything you would want from a hip hop/soul album. The more rap based tracks like 'Lost Ones’ and 'Final Hour', where Hill hits you with great, hard hitting, bars that are up there with some of the best of the genre are definitely worth highlighting. But it's the slower tempo soul tracks where 'The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill' truly shines: 'To Zion', 'Superstar', 'When It Hurts So Bad', 'I Used To Love Him' (which, in all honesty, should have been a single), 'Forgive Them Father', and 'Nothing Even Matters'; tracks that are backed with beautiful instrumentation, absolute pitch perfect vocals with that rare raw edge quality, and autobiographical lyrics that you can totally get lost in. It's all quite simply a trifecta that is executed beyond perfection. I have always thought that Lauryn Hill is a great "what if" of the music industry, seeing as she never released another studio album after this. This is a case of the art becoming larger than the artist, and I would completely understand the fear of not living up to this album's massive success. 'The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill' is an easy 5/5. It's not just a great hip hop/soul album, it's literally a gold standard of those genres. It feels a little cliche to give it such a high rating, but I do genuinely think it deserves it. There's not a single bad track to be found and it showcases Lauryn Hill firing on all cylinders as a top class vocalist, an underrated rapper, an engaging lyricist, and a surprisingly good producer. It's just a damn shame we never got a follow up.

Great album, grew up on it. She deserved every Grammy she got and it’s a shame there isn’t more follow up to this thoroughly performed masterpiece

Love this album. A lot of great songs and would definitely listen to over and over.

All I can say, it is a breath taking album. No flaws, beats are amazing Lyrics are amazing Music is unreal!

One of the greatest rap albums of all time, highly recommend for anyone

one of the GOAT albums

This is just excellent front to back. Unlike the interludes on most hip hop albums that feel so contrived and don't serve the music, these fit a n album theme and often times directly speak to the track while coming across as completely genuine and candid recordings. The music itself is just good hip hop and r&b. I didn't expect to like this as much as I did, but it's a serious winner for me.

i mean

Algjörlega frábær plata sem eldist svona líka vel.

I love this album. Haven't listened to it in awhile. So, so, so good.