The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

e realmente muy bueno.

Not my thing but I can appreciate the quality of songwrting and production

What a great album, no complaints at all

I understand this is a highly touted and influential album, it’s just not for me

Perfect boom bap beats, gorgeously soulful melodies from an incredible singer, and a few too many vocal runs

fav- zion

Ich liebe d Fugees. Mit äm Wyclef Jean isch sie super. Das Soloalbum isch mega erfolgriich gsie.

lost ones isch coool, sehr chillig aber au chli hässig. ex factor kenni, sie singt suuper. beat isch au hammer. uii gitarresolo. moll coole song. schluss skit isch suuuper cute. doo wop seehr geils intro und de beat uuuuhyesssss. superstar au cute, sie oversingt chli zum teil? aber sweete song. blöser uf final hour sind seeehr geil. when it hurts so bad findi eehner langwilig? ich fühl mich gad chli schlecht dass ich so wenig mit dem album chan afange. forgove them father isch nice, aber ich gspür so wenig? ganz seltsam. every ghetto every city isch geil moll, clavinet. nothing even matters isch au cool mitem dangelo. eveything is everything sooo geile beat uiii. ich glaub ich find de vocal style afoch nöd sooo geil. aber ibjektiv isch alles seehr cool und sleek und soulful. de song slappt etz hert. find s album wird besser? hani mi dra gwöhnt? title track super schön? cant take my eyes off you au siicke beat und s lied flüsst so schön mit orgle uuuh yeah. tell him suuuuper schöni bgvs und huere süesse text okay e vieri isches.

WIEDER 1H9MIN AAAAH ah freumi denn uf de hidden track uiii de beat hani nöd gern, d bassdrum isch ooofff lost ones findi insgesamt leider recht arsch es hetmer leider nanüt mega gfalle iwie? aso finds jz nöd schlecht aber jo ok doo wop catched mich chli, aber jz au nöd insane kei ahnig und die skuts am schluss sind kinda cute und bringed eim sicher öppis aber puuh NOW I DONT JA ICH HANA VERSTANDE FREUT MICH FÜR DICH I'm so so sorry ich wetts gern haa aber ich langwiile mich nur ohh sie hend d hidden tracks ussegno??? SO SCHAAAAD es tutmer echt leid aber ich hans eifach langwilig gfunde

I liked the famous tracks so would probably get to enjoy the whole album with a bit more familiarity.

So emilie

sympa mais serais mieu sans les fin de son qui sont des records de scéance studio completement osef et chiante

- many many songs - dropped one banger album and said never again - highlights: to zion, doo wop, superstar, forgive them father, everything is everything

Surprisingly good - not the sort of music I'd usually choose, but I liked it.

I gotta admit this has got a cool album cover, it immediately drew my attention. the songs aren't doing much justice unfortunately :(

Brilliant.

Repeat listen

Great production. Some filler but great singles especially.

A classic.

Already heard it

Somehow I’ve heard this a lot at very periods in my life. It’s good

I like this album, but it's always felt a little overrated to me. Plenty of good stuff here, though.

Honestly, this album is really nice to the ear, but it feels more like an exploration of samples over someone rapping. Lauryn Hill sings like no other but her music isn't my kinda thing, even a song she had with Carlos Santana (which is one of my favorites musicians) felt underutilized. I expected more, but I guess her music isn't for me at all

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

Chido. Quiero escucharlo otra vez.

Overall, didn't really like it. There were a few cuts like Superstar, Final Hour, and that Frankie Valli cover that I enjoyed but overall the record mostly missed me. I'm just not into R&B and overall, the immense length of the record and the sheer amount of 5+ minute long songs is just a nonstarter for me. The concept is cool and learning about Ms Lauryn Hill's inspirations behind the album helped contextualize it overall but I can't say this is one I'll be excited to revisit outside of a few tracks that appear to be on the less-beloved part of this classic-but-not-for-me record.

Musically talented but I can't really identify with really much of this. I'm not black, don't want kids, am not a Christian. Beautiful voice but I don't ever see myself wanting to listen to this again. It just doesn't speak to me at all. I get Ex-Factor I suppose.

Rather great album 3.8

Album Name: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill # Artist: Lauren Hill # Rating: 4/5 # Comments: LH has a fantastic voice. That deep soul kind. Ex factor is a brill song. That guitar solo. feels like santana. Zion is with Santana! nice tune. Did not like the ending though. Not sure why they need to talk out the track. Good song apart from that. This talking thing happens way too often on the album. That thing - a classic song which everyone knows The first half of the album is very good! The problem i find with the rap/rnb from this era is there too much album. This goes on for nearly 1hr 20. The length detracts from the overall quality. When i look back at the number of songs ive saved - its a decent number. But theres a helluva lot filler too. Some is tedious. Some not bad. If they streamlined this album down to 10 tracks or so it would of been hugely effective. An easy 5. But the length detracts away from that 5. This album is probably a 4 or 4.5 tops for me. Overall a very good listen - and thats coming from someone who doesnt like the genre! # Top Tunes: X factor / Zion / that thing / lost ones / final hour / Everything is everything # Would I listen to it again? Yes, most of it.

Can see why it’s a classic, enjoyed the listen

So far it’s ok. I really like “ex-factor”. “To Zion” starts off amazing. This album is getting better. “Doo woo” is another great song. This keeps getting better. Ok. This album did not resonate with me at first, but it keeps getting better. The musicians are great. The songs are great. This is a great album. The version of can’t take my eyes off you is wonderful. Great album.

An incredible classic with so much influence in the world of r&b. Even though I am not a music officianado, I have seen firsthand how many artists have incorporated some aspect of this album into their music. Legends like Kanye, J. Cole, and The Doors all paid homage to this album. I loved the harp in "Superstar", the piano laced throughout and enjoyed the guitar in "To Zion"! Listening to this album for the first time in a while gave me some rose colored lenses I think. While there are only three songs I would add to a playlist, I can appreciate the story behind the album. Some of the songs felt really similar, but it felt excusable because of the substance in the lyrics.

Keep Your Eyes On The Final Hour 1001 Albums Generator 18 (04/28/2025) Last week kind of sucked. Work was annoying, my dog regressed in her behavior, and I was dealing with a lot of negative thoughts about myself. On Sunday, we had a problem with our garage door that cost us almost a full dollar for every album on this list. Ouch. In addition to that, the 5 albums last week, while varying in quality, did not contain a single album that would be on my version of this list. There was no stone cold classic, with the closest thing being Billion Dollar Babies. The same will not be said about this week, which is opening with the eternal neo-soul classic The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. I think this is going to be a good week. Lauryn Hill, along with Jeff Buckley, is the platonic ideal of a one-album wonder. Unlike Jeff Buckley, Lauryn is still alive; she just... hasn't made any new music. Noone can truly say why, as Lauryn seems to blame everyone but herself and everyone but Lauryn blames her. What is certain is her one album, The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill, is more acclaimed than many artists' whole discographies. This album lives on both indirectly through its influence on hip hop, neo-soul, and R&B and directly through the nearly 200 professional examples of this album being sampled. Drake, Logic, Kanye, J. Cole, Lizzo, Cardi B, Vince Staples, and hundreds of other artists have paid homage to this album through the art of sampling. However, I would argue that influence alone is not necessarily equivalent to quality. Does Miseducation deserve its acclaim? I will have lots of hot takes as we work through this list (wait till we get to Loveless or VU&N), but my take on this album is as cold as it gets. This is a fantastic album, deserving of all the praise it gets. People often focus on the vocals of it all, but I'd like to start with the instrumentation. Many of the beats on this album are played live in the studio and arranged by Lauryn Hill. I think she deserves as much praise as an arranger as she gets as a writer and vocalist. She said "The first day in the studio I ordered every instrument I ever fell in love with: harps, strings, timpani, organs, clarinets. It was my idea to record it so the human element stayed in. I didn't want it to be too technically perfect." Her goal was achieved: this is a deeply human album. This is an album that a machine would not be able to create; the way the drums are often just so slightly early on some songs, the way the lyrics and melodies change slightly from chorus to chorus. These are things that require a human touch. That's a huge part of where the beauty of this album lies. The first four songs (after the intro) start the album off really strong. Lost One, which is firmly planted in a hip hop sound, features strange guitar chords and heavy turntablism. Ex-Factor, which is sampled in what is perhaps Drake's best song, Nice For What, is as soulful as it gets and has a legendary bridge with beautiful, soaring harmonies. To Zion, which features guitar giant Carlos Santana, has a distinctly Latin flavor and features powerful lyrics about Lauryn's choice to have a child in spite of outside pressure to do otherwise. Doo Wop (That Thing) is perhaps Ms. Lauryn Hill's most popular song for good reason. With an iconic piano beat behind her, Lauryn speaks directly to her African American community, telling the men and the women to not distract themselves with "things". For the men, this is in a literal sense ("timbs and rims") and for the women, the "thing" is more metaphorical. Lauryn tells the women of her community to have self-respect and to value themselves. Other highlights include the beautiful Christian imagery on the jazzy boom bap Final Hour (which has a similar message to Doo Wop) and the reggae-inspired Forgive Them Father. Additionally, the cover of Frankie Valli's Can't Take My Eyes Off You is a beautiful piece at the end of this album. Amazingly, it wasn't meant to be included originally, but thank God it was. The second half of this album is a bit weaker in general. The D'Angelo collab Nothing Even Matters is a sleepy bit of soul and the title track is a minimalist song that fails to stand out. The piano is nice, but this song felt a bit boring. Over half of the songs on this album are over 5 minutes, and I feel as though some of these songs are stretched out maybe 30-60 seconds longer than they need to be. I also found the skits, primarily present in the first half of the album, to really take away from my enjoyment. Especially as they are mastered much quieter, so when listening to this album in my car, I had to keep adjusting the volume. Although Lauryn Hill only released one album as a solo artist, her influence on modern hip hop, neo-soul, and R&B cannot be overstated. This album is chock full of beautiful harmonies, interesting orchestral instrumentation, and boom bap beats. However, some dim spots in the track list, slightly overlong songs, and the school gimmick keep it from a 5 for me. 4.5, rounded down to a 4/5. Favs: Doo Wop (That Thing) Final Hour Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You Least Fav: Nothing Even Matters

can't take my eyes off of you is one of my all time favorites but the rest of the album didn't catch me, really

I would never listen to this album ever again but it's fine. I can see how other people would like it more.

Good singing, good beats, but it got tedious

great album all the way through. hate the talking though. i get it as a concept but it takes away from the flow of the album and the musicality of it

Lauryn Hill is one of the artists I completely missed growing up. Lost Ones is great. To Zion is pretty cool too. Doo Wop is one I had heard even if I didn't realise I knew it. The first part of this album is excellent, the middle part doesn't quite hot the same high, but then you get to Every Ghetto, Every City and it picks up again.

vibes. 3,5.

Maravilhoso chique demais que som ótimo.

I didn’t like this at all. The classroom segments add nothing to the recording and I found myself just wanting to hear her stretch out and just sing. She’s a great singer. I wish there was some different music. 1001 album worthy: no - 75/138

She has a lovely voice, is a great lyricist and songwriter, every feature enhanced the song they were on, and despite being from the 90's, it doesn't sound like it was recorded in an indoor swimming pool. It's probably just personal genre preference for why I won't give this a 5, but this is a very strong 4. I understand why others hold this in such high regard, and if I revisit I could see myself rating higher.

There's a dichotomy here, between the Sunday School "skits" of teaching about love and what it should be, and the music, talking about how love really is. It's beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. The music is really good, even though it's not my thing.

No nie porwało mnie niestety. 2/10.

This album passed without leaving a strong impression on me. Maybe I have become too familiar with artists who were inspired by Lauryn Hill to recognise how ground breaking the album was on its release

Давно был наслышан о том что это один из лучших альбомов вообще, но по итогу...это просто норм

2.4 - Just felt a bit surface and preachy

The start of this album is so great. First 4 tracks (excluding the intro) are quality. From there it dips, but always maintains a decent level - there might truly be no skips - but I could give or take most of the middle of the album. Last two tracks are also great, perhaps that is why the album feels so strong (Apple Music’s favourite album of all time after all…) Fave Tracks: Ex-Factor, To Zion, Doo Wap (That Thing), Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Tell Him 4.2/5

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

ok cool this is an interesting album to get. i've heard plenty of great things about it but i've never listened to lauryn hill, all i know is that she was in the fugees. i get the impression i should pay attention to the lyrics. TRACK BY TRACK 1 INTRO. we enter into the album. this is an interesting intro; we hear a roll call that goes silent when lauryn hill's name is called, over a nice acoustic guitar. 2 LOST ONES. man this is catchy. pretty simple but infectious beat with lyrics about breakup. i could see myself returning to it, it's very cool. 9/10 3 EX-FACTOR. wow. this song is beautiful. to be honest i expected this album to be a lot more conscious than it is but lyrically it's all about heartbreak so far. musically this is very rewarding; her vocals are gorgeous, the piano is so simple yet effective, and that's all before the guitar comes in. the guitar made me bump up the rating, wow. it'll be hard to beat this. 10/10 4 TO ZION. hey it's the guy from the last album. i have gathered that this song is about her newborn child. this song is majestic. just so listenable. i could easily see myself putting this on in the background (in a good way obviously). i wish i had more to say but i'm enjoying it. 9/10 5 DOO WOP (THAT THING). pretty broad lyrics but man this song is cool. so cool. the beat is soo cool. i cringe at myself using the same words over again but it really is that cool. 10/10 6 SUPERSTAR. artistic integrity is lost in favour of money and fame. all of these topics so far are pretty timeless. chill song, cool beat, timeless lyrics. there's nothing else to say. 8/10 7 FINAL HOUR. god makes an appearance. apparently the instrumental is completely original and live which is really cool, i've always thought more rappers should try it. her flow is actually crazy. nice flute too. 9/10 8 WHEN IT HURTS SO BAD. this is just beautiful. these instrumentals sounds so alive, i love it. this instrumental is so pretty. 9/10 9 I USED TO LOVE HIM. silky smooth vocals and a silky smooth beat. kind of reminds me of amy winehouse for some reason. so good. not a single misstep on this album so far. 9/10 10 FORGIVE THEM FATHER. i can absolutely see why this album is hailed as a classic. it just has that sound about it. she's such a great singer and this song just furthers that. 8/10 11 EVERY GHETTO, EVERY CITY. funky beat. effortlessly cool song. not much about it has sprung thought into me clearly but it's just a cool song praising her hometown. 8/10 12 NOTHING EVEN MATTERS. i know of d'angelo and i expect one of his albums to pop up here someday (i actually listened to black messiah, when did that happen?) but this lowered my expectations a bit. generic smooth soul about love. 5/10 13 EVERYTHING IS EVERYTHING. as soon as this started playing i got back into it, that beat is everything (ha). honestly i wasn't even listening to the lyrics because the beat is so good, that's not particularly a good thing but i was enjoying it. 9/10 14 THE MISEDUCATION OF LAURYN HILL. how did i only just notice the cover was etched into a school desk? anyway this song is gorgeous and the lyrics are pretty general lyrics about finding your path or something. 9/10 15 CAN'T TAKE MY EYES OFF OF YOU. wasn't expecting this. great song, i love the original so this was a nice surprise. reading the origin of the song is very impressive too. 9/10 16 TELL HIM. more biblical lyrics. very pretty song with a cool beat. wraps the album up nicely. 9/10 this album is widely hailed as a classic (in soul, hip hop, the 90s) and i can completely see why. it's a very enjoyable album with deeply personal lyrics and i would definitely return to it. i knew of it but this got me to actually listen to it so that's great. overall a 9/10

bit long. when she sings, she has a good voice

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.

Solid but probably twice as long as it needed to be.

Really good. Liked Doo Wop, Ex-Factor, and Can't take my eyes off of you.

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

Langdrygt, uinspirerande

Soulful lyrics, great hooks, clean production – truly a beautiful blend of greatness. My only gripe is that I feel it's a little front-heavy and could've been condensed slightly.

Eén van de beste rappers (female en male) die op deze aardkloot rondloopt, met een album waar ze de 'miseducated' bijspijkert op het gebied van kritieke thema's, vooral voor de jonge, zwarte vrouw in de US. Dat kan niet anders dan een powerhouse van een record opleveren. En alhoewel de piekmomenten de cross-over van Hip Hop naar R&B van eind jaren 90 in al haar glorie belichamen, is dit blokuur aan sociale, seksuele en spirituele voorlichting toch echt aan de lange kant. Ik begin halverwege de les steeds verder weg te zakken in mijn stoel. Het begin is magisch, met de intro die de toon zet, en daarna 'Lost Ones', 'Ex-Factor', 'To Zion' en 'Doo Wop (That Thing'. Thematisch en muzikaal horen we direct het meesterbrein en die brandende ziel van Ms. Lauryn op volle toeren draaien. Zoveel wijsheden, gebracht in zoveel verschillende gedaantes. Soul, R&B, Hip Hop, Reggae, Gospel. Het is 'Black History Month' verpakt in een vijftal songs. Helaas - en niet geheel verrassend als je begint met de interessantste en leukste stof van de voorlichting - weet de plaat mij daarna niet altijd bij de les te houden. Waar de dynamiek en de beats zelfs de mindere songs van ''The Score'' van Fugees overeind houden, zijn de fillers op dit album onmiskenbaar aanwezig. Het middenstuk draait in cirkels en herhaalt zichzelf telkens. Elk nummer voelt repetitief aan, tot het punt dat je niet eens meer écht kan genieten van de muzikaliteit van de crew. Ze had naast Mary J. Blige ook echt wel wat meer assistentie kunnen gebruiken voor de klas, om het toch iets spannender te maken. Het einde pakt de draad wel weer enigszins op, met 'Everything is Everything' en de mooie cover van de klassieker 'Can't Take My Eyes Off of You', maar ik liep toch aardig verduft de klas uit. Later, nadat de dufheid plaatsmaakte voor bezinking, realiseerde ik wel dat het alsnog een hele belangrijke plaat is, genre-wise maar vooral ook als 'educational en spiritual guide' voor de jeugd, toen en nu. Maar kon het niet iets beknopter zonder dat de boodschap daar onder zou lijden? Ik denk het wel. 7,5/10 Highlights: Lost Ones Ex-Factor Doo Wop (That Thing) Everything is Everything

Eerlijk is eerlijk, ik moet mijzelf tot de miseducated rekenen als het aankomt op neo-soul, RnB en 90-s hiphop (eigenlijk als hiphop). Dit album was dan ook weer een leerzame ervaring die mij weer heeft verrijkt met de klasse van volgens mij een unieke artiest. Rap en zang gaan moeiteloos in elkaar over, wat denk ik extra mooi is bij een vrouwenstem. Ik ben wel onder de indruk maar raak er ook op uitgekeken, daarvoor staat het genre te ver van me af denk ik. 7/10 Highlights Lost Ones Doo Wop

Brilliant. An all time favorite.

Drags on a bit in places but my word she can rap and sing so well. Production is awesome too

I haven’t heard this album in a long time. I started it with high expectations, but was disappointed as I listened to the first few tracks. But then something clicked, I think after Doo Wop (That Thing), which I knew too well. I turned the volume up, sliding into the lyrics and the beats, and was transported. It does go on a little too long, I’m not a big fan of the spoken interludes. But what a powerful album.

A stone cold classic. When I think about it Doo Wop (That Thing) is probably one of my all time favorite songs. I haven’t spent enough time with this album, it’s fantastic.

Ihan hyvää settiä, joskaan en oikein löytänyt omille listoille lisättävää.

Not my style, but sounds good. It has "flow" 3/5

Dope shit. A true classic

2.5 ok just not my style. Hate it when vocalist do super long vocal runs for every other syllable

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

No doubt she is talented, great singer/rapper, just not something I'm really into, found it a little too long

It's alright I guess

Is pretty OK. Somewhat generic R&B with a good number of love songs

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.

Hemmer and I saw Lauryn at “Ed’s” about 10 years ago. The show was supposed to start at 9 and she came on stage around 11:30. She seemed miserable but she still sounded unbelievable regardless. This was a 5 from memory but listening again, downgrading to a 4. It so long and while I like the classroom skit through line, it doesn’t need to be at the end of every song. Too many forgettable songs to be a 5.

3.4

Greatest album of all time?

Meins ist es nicht

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.

Sounds more R&B now than it sounded in 1998.

Not really into 90s r&b, or her voice, or her lyrics. But I was in a pretty good mood when I listened to it, on a nice sunny afternoon, so it was alright.

I wanted to like this a little more than I did. Some songs I loved, others kind of dragged for me. I think it balances out to a three.

This was a fun blast from the past. I might be underrating it because I listened to it while doing a bike workout whereas it would probably be better appreciated in the evening with a glass of wine.

lil bit 2 long, lil bit 2 in love with your oOoOooOoOoouuuouuUOuuIoYeiyyeeaaoOuuoyeeeyyyeyeeeaae

Rap

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.

Pretty good

Throwback vibes

LETS GOOO IVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS

Charming and lovely. I could background this all day.

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

I've had several listens to this album before; because of its acclaim. This is the first listen that really clicked with me. Sometimes an albums prestige sets unfair expectations, and I think this is a prime example. Sometimes too, and album requires more than one listen to really sink in. Which can be an issue when ranking the albums on this list.

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

The singles are still spectacular. Too much singing and too little rap for me. A lot of songs feel like repetitive vocals over hip hop beats rather than genuine soul or R&B. But her vocals and lyrics along with the production made this album very pleasant to listen to several times throughout the day.

A really great record. Stunning. Groundbreaking. I don't think Lauryn Hill has sounded better. "Ex-Factor," "Doo Wop (That Thing)," "I Used To Love Him," "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You," and "Tell Him" are the standout tracks, but there's a lot to like in the other tracks as well. This album suffers from some of the trappings of other hip hop/R&B albums of the time, which is too many interludes and songs that go for too long. Not that a 5+ minute song can't be good, but a lot of these songs just kind of drifted along by the end. I wish I could give this a 4.5, but I have to round down because it doesn't quite do it for me in the same way the other albums I've rated a 5 do. That being said, still an absolutely fantastic record.

Love it. Bought it when it came out and loved it then.

скучно, пиздец, 2/5

I know The Miseducation is an easy 5/5 for a number of people, but I’m not entirely convinced. This is a great album with some absolutely great songs, singing and rapping performances, beats, instrumentation (just ask Robert Glasper about that) and so on.. Doo Wop and Ex-Factor are classics. Final Hour is bars and bars and more bars that prove Ms. Hill to be a top tier MC. But as the record moves on, it’s somewhat evident the concept doesn’t quite carry its weight the whole way through. The classroom sketches only end up offering so much sustainability and to me there’s not really that big of a payoff or punchline given the concept. There are a couple tracks that don’t feel all that connected to the core of this record as well (I’m really not into the D’Angelo duet on this record.. feels shoehorned). So.. anyway.. One of 1001 Albums you need to hear, absolutely! The tenth greatest and single greatest album ever according to Rolling Stone and Apple respectively? Not for me. 8.5/10

Did not finish... didn't hate it but didn't like it either :[

Es ist gar nicht meine Musik aber paar Banger sind schon dabei und allgemein kann ich nicht schlechtes sagen aber es ist einfach nicht mein Geschmack.

4/5 Vähän vanhemman koulukunnan räppiä. Maistuu makialta lämpimällä terassilla auringossa istuen.

## **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.

High highs. Good singer. Too long, in the 90s CD way. The skits almost ruin it.

Great album by a disastrous person lol. Are any artists heroes? But the album is wonderful. Prefer the Fugees' The Score out of everything any of them made, but this is close second.

One of my favorite old school hip hop albums.

I liked this one more than I was expecting! It's got a narrative through-line, and the sketches between songs tied in nicely with that. It's not really my preferred genre, and it did feel long at over an hour, but it never felt like a chore to listen to. Ventures a bit too religious at times.

Honestly not sure of this. I like the fugees but this is a bit of a miseducation on what Lauryn is about

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.

This is still a beautiful, singular album, but damn those songs take forever. No wonder she's always late for her shows.

Lauryn Hill is an incredible talent and this is a diverse and heartfelt album full of top-notch bangers. You can definitely hear how its influence reverberates decades later. But the interstitial chatter gets tiresome.

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?

Not my genre, but this was fine. I didnt know any of these songs. Docking a star for the in between song skits that were everywhere back then and have thankfully fallen out of favor.

It's kind of crazy this is the only solo album she ever released. I guess when you release a debut album with that level of success, there's no need to ty and top it.

great Album, got it on vinyl

I've listened to this album before but never closely. This was a good excuse to pay attention. I didn't realize it was basically a break-up album about her split from Wyclef. And it's crazy that the guy she is singing to in the love songs led the 1993 Miami Hurricanes in tackles. I really enjoyed the game I saw him play in that year. I think this album is great but it doesn't blow me away like it seems to everyone else.

Not bad, but not my genre.

Erg leuk album! in een rits uitgeluisterd :) Ik vond de soundbits voor en na sommige nummers leuk. Favorites: - Doo Wop

SO GOOD

Love it own it

Black hip hop is not for me, unfortunately. Maybe some other day

it's one of those albums that has had such cultural influence that goes beyond the music. There are so many life lessons baked into this album. You are taken on a journey of love and pain. I didn't always love the melodies, but then would be drawn back in by some very emotional lyric that hits right at home. It's an important album for music and one of greats of all time.

I did not listen to this other than the singles when it came out because it was everywhere and unavoidable. I always loved "To Zion" but until now have not heard the entire album. It is a solid 4. I wish she would have released more music.

Yes the record is universally acclaimed for some reason unclear to me. I’m clearly missing something so I’ll blame it on my musical ignorance and move on.

A bit too long and too many low points to be a 5. Too bad this was the only solo album she put out.

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.

The album itself is nice with interesting songs about the woes of love. The sound is diverse on the first half with the occasional funky sound and kinda falters on the second half. However, this kind of music is also a big part of the soundtrack to many of the boring car rides I had as a kid. So I am biased, sue me.

3.5/5

Heard it before. It's a really nice album, if only it wasn't so long for no reason 3/5

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.

Nice body of work. Her voice is very distinct which I believe carries this album further. There were some bops and there were some lulls. My enjoyment of this album overall was a 3.5ish but the artistry would be a 4.2ish. I would listen to a good portion of these songs again.

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

1. intro - 1 2. lozt - 1.5 3. factor - 1.5 4. zion - 1 5. doo uuop - 2.5 6. zuperztar - 0 7. final - 1.5 8. hurtz - 1.5 9. him - 1 10. father - 1 11. ghetto - 0 12. matterz - 1 13. everything - 0 14. hill - 0

The ultimate one-album-wonder. (please don't tell my wife I didn't give this a 5)

First Listen: May 03 2023 I liked it on my first listen but I wasn't really seeing the hype. I hope I like it more on relisten yeah this pretty good idk what 17 year old me didn't see in this

My biggest surprise today was that this did not overstay its welcome despite needless length, that it has just the right amount of friction and hook to stay perpetually on, well-supplied with sharp moments that pull you closer for a moment before letting go. It’s a compellingly lazy listen. I saw Lauryn Hill play a set at the 2007 Exit festival in Novi Sad, and I’ve jumbled the memories with those of the Beatie Boys the night before: both were ragged jam-band rambles, the only distinguishing features I recall being Hill’s enormous hat and my drunken friend Dan triggering a 200,000-person roar by shouting “Beachie Boys Woo Woo!” while we were waiting for the trio to arrive. Yesterday, we listened to an outstanding debut that loosed a voice that still explores, still sets a standard that others can be marked against. Today we’ve a voice that felt like it was everywhere with everything for a while, but never returned in force. I’m not sure this record is a repeatable trick.

Captures a point in time perfectly, skilful and tuneful although overlong. Again, we didn't know how good we had it.. for some reason this album sounds like the pre-9/11 world more than any other and I love it for that

Obvious classic (aside the LH Racism)

En yhtään pidä rapista / hiphopista, mutta bassolinjat oli ihan hienot.

Not a fan. Musiikkityyli ei uppoa, vaikka silloin tällöin levy sisältää hienojakin hetkiä.

Jaahas. Kai tää on ihan hyvin tehty mutta on kyllä mulle kohtuu mitäänsanomatonta musiikkia

En ole mikään erityisen kova räp/hiphop/r&b kuluttaja mutta tämä oli kelpo kuunneltavaa, huomaa kyllä aikakauden, jolloin tehtiin vielä hyvää hiphoppia.

Yllätyin positiivisesti. Hyvää räppiä höystettynä kuoroilla, torvilla ja mulla mielenkiintoa tuovilla höysteillä.

A flash in the pan moment of brilliance for a terrible person.

Epic!

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

This was quality stuff but I think it deserves a second listen. 3.5/5

I know this is a famous album and I thought I would like it more but it’s not for me.

It is nice but quite short !

Одна песня неплохая. Остальное не очень

One of my favourites. Incredible album 👌🏼.

Even someone like me who doesn't like this type of music still can tell that this album is too good and def a game changer but it just not my cup of tea that's why I didn't enjoy it at all so i'll give it 3/10

the story telling is amazing with the lyrics and she was definitely ahead of her time, the breakdown in ex-factor is one of my favorite things ever, despite this not being my primary music taste i can still tell the album was iconic

R&B/ hip hop with soul influence I don't really get it - better on a second listen! Interesting instrumentation - brass, latin guitar, harps and harpsichord? Best track - Forgive them father, lost ones

Beautiful, heartfelt - bought it when it came out and I still listen to tracks on here and use a few in spin class (guess which) she is a vocal powerhouse with a depth and richness few possess - only she could've covered Killing me Softly and only she could do the tribute last week at Flack's funeral.

Remarkable effort. Not my favorite genre but much respect for her ability to both rap, sing, play guitar, and compose / craft such creative songs. Lyrically she is expressive, vulnerable, and to my surprise talks a lot about her faith in God and how much it affects her. I felt like I was on a journey through her personal experiences of motherhood, failed relationships, and recovery. It’s a shame her artistic output was so short lived; she burned brightly albeit brightly.

There are some real gems in here, like Doo Wop. Her incredible voice mixed with vulnerable lyrics create an impactful album. You can sense her gravitas and ability to command a room.

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.

Pretty good album. I've never followed Lauryn Hill or the Fugees, but I like them well enough to enjoy them when they are on. This is a long album so probably not going to be replaying in whole often, but it was consistently good all of the way through.

Fun album, and was really feeling it initially. It's just too long for its own good! 3/5

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

Good. Not earth-shattering, but good.

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 skipped the 90’s era rap class. She’s got a nice voice, and as far as rap goes, it could be a lot worse. Same old angry lyrics and tired cries of racism and oppression. Whatever…. Pay your taxes Sister!

This album is far too long and needs editing down. It's a very mixed bag in quality of songs as well some very good songs, some meh songs and some shockers.

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

not my cup of tea

This is #day215 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and... it feels like a lifetime ago since I got The Score by Fugees. I loved that album and gave it a 5, but I never ventured into Lauryn Hill's solo work, even though this is her only album. Still, I've seen it pop up on the list, so here I am, diving into a concept album about self-education in love, touching on themes like relationship struggles, interpersonal conflicts, motherhood, and faith. The fusion of neo-soul and R&B with hints of hip-hop, reggae, and soul? I don't mind. I'm giving it a 3 out of 5, though. I'd rather revisit The Score. Looking forward to #day216.

Really liked the message and the femme energy. Good beat, just not sure if it was 100% my vibe, definitely deserves a second listen.

сначала было круто! потом просто надоели одни и те же темки из раза в раз, одно и то же звучание, если бы меня на днях бросил парень, наверное, мне бы очень понравился альбом, а так да - устала честно очень интересно как выглядит ебик, которому посвятили столько страдальческих песен?? My emancipation don't fit your equation было сильно

I really thought I’d be torn between rating this a 4 or a 5, but here I am, unsure whether to give a 3 or a 4. It’s definitely great and close to perfect, but it doesn’t hit as hard as it used to.

LOVED IT. ICONIC.

a classic, and one I grew up listening to while cooking dinner

I would rate 0

Good fairly mellow with some funky stuff thrown in

Overall, I enjoyed this album. Would I listen to the whole album again? Maybe not. Personally, it felt like a bit of a rollercoaster. At the start, I didn’t think I would make it to the end, but then I started to enjoy it—though some songs I just didn’t like were sprinkled in. I did appreciate the message of love and the throwback to an older way of thinking. Maybe it’s just nostalgia, or maybe times were better back then with more acceptance. Solid 6.5 out of 10.

R&B has to be really special for me to like it, this just isn't it

I listened to this album so many times.

If I were a young girl in the 90s, going through my own juvenile love shenanigans, this album would really speak to me. As I am not, and never was, it's a little of a slog to get through.

could i write poetry to this? n

Anybody else have a problem listening to this album on on Spotify™? Every time I tried to play this, it automatically turned on "shuffle" mode and played songs that aren't even on this album. Sometimes the songs don't even feature Ms. Lauren Hill! This chaotic lack of access to the record seems very on-brand for Ms. Hill.

3 or 4 really good songs, but the rest all sort of blend together. 2.5 stars.

Undeniable talent: multilayered tracks with her melodic voice winding throughout like silken tendrils. She seems equally at home with singing and rapping. It's not my go-to style of music to listen to, but I can recognize the gem that this album is. And in this case, the top-tier quality trumps my personal preferences.

Another album I used to listen to a lot previously (but have not picked up in years). At the time is was very zeitgeisty and I guess I just went with the flow. Listening today and its all very meh. Not terrible but not anything I am going to rush back to listen again - none of the tracks sparked the joy of rediscovery. Spotify was fucking around which has made be grumpy so unfortunately its a 2.

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill Haven’t listened to this in a long time, a long time. It’s easy to forget how popular it was when it came out and looking back how different it was to a lot of mainstream male-fronted hip hop and r’n’b. Skits aside, the first half absolutely rips. Lost Ones, X Factor and Doo Wop are fantastic, great lyrics, delivery, samples and arrangements. Doo Wop is my standout track but the Bam Bam interpolation and bear of Lost Ones runs it close. To Zion, Superstar and Final Hour are also great tracks, the Light My Fire interpolation and sample on Superstar is brilliantly deployed. Final Hour’s aggressive rapping and flute sample are a nice counterpoint to some of the more r’n’b style singing elsewhere. It’s of course hard to maintain that quality and it is definitely much more uneven after Final Hour. When It Hurts So Bad and I Used to Love Him descend sharply into aimless and melodically moribund territory and they both feel a bit fat dude with a 5 string bass and hackneyed r’n’b vocal runs. Forgive Them Father is decent, and Every Ghetto, Every City is excellent, a real highlight, it’s Stevie-eque funkiness is fantastic, and along with the superb Everything is Everything they are the highlights of the back half, strewn amongst the more unremarkable and humdrum 90s r’n’b workouts. It is a great album though, with some truly excellent music, it’s just a shame it suffers from CD bloat with a handful of actually quite tedious tracks and too many skits tacked on to the end of some of the tracks. Because of that I don’t think it can be a 5, so a solid 4 it is. 📚📚📚📚 Playlist submission: Doo Wop (That Thing)

Those classroom recordings are a distraction from what is an excellent album. I'm sure many people think they are profound - but they are actually close to mentally retarded. That abomination aside, the album is peppered with some really excellent songs, especially the first half which is quite magnificent - 'Lost Ones' is pumping, and seems to have some of the Marley reggae influence; 'Ex-Factor' is glorious with a motown-worthy chorus; similarly 'Doo Wop' is like a lost 60s classic and, quite frankly, genius songwriting; 'I Used to Love Him' is elevated by the Motown backing harmonies; 'To Zion' a heartfelt ballad; 'Forgive Them Father' draws on 'Concrete Jungle's bassline really effectively. It does lose its way for a bit, and I find 'Every Ghetto, Every City' (the Wonder-style clavinet notwithstanding), and especially 'Nothing Even Matters', as too neo-soul and dispensable. It's a great album that's for sure, in spite of the classroom shit-skits and its fatty length. These points drag the album down. But the Motown feel, classic feel, the amazing vocals, great production make it a classic. Its as close to five as I can imagine. I really really really wish it was shorter.

No

Potential 4, some good tunes

Really interesting and enjoyable. The skits between songs were fun and the diversity of instruments and styles was very cool.

She skipped that day in school when they were teaching how to make good music.

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.

Хороший альбом для движения и легкого танца

Honestly, this is the first time I’ve listened to this album in full. It’s so good. I was prepared to find it overrated, and there are a couple songs on the second half that I feel could have been left off, but this album deserves every accolade it’s been given. Hill’s artistry combines several genres seamlessly across the every single song. Glad I finally listened to it.

The good songs are very good. The rest is filler, the skits are boring and the album goes on WAAAYYYY too long. I think this album is overhyped by people who want to like it more than they actually like it.

Great voice. But so slooowww, kept sending me to sleep, lucky I didn’t listen to this while driving.

Not my kind of music.

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

So good. Still.

great album her singing and flow is crazy good beats are great big fan of “when it hurts so bad” mess of a situation and person

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

Superb

Better than most of the rap we’ve heard, as far as content is concerned (mostly from male artists). Better on the second listen.

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

I can see why people like it. Some decent stuff on the album, but not my jam. 3.5*

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

Hab überlegt drei Sterne zu geben, weil ich glaube wenn man Lust drauf hat macht das Album Spaß. Die Lieder aber mal einzeln zu hören ist schwierig, weil am Ende vieler Lieder Dialoge zwischen Lehrer und Schüler drangehängt wurden.

4.53

some powerful lyrics messages, 2000s hip hop style. pretty great tbh 4/5

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.

One of the best productions the genre has to offer. I was a little sad to be reminded, that the music of the skits doesn’t always lead directly into the next song - I expected that from Ms. Hill. It’s stellar, no doubt about it. But it’s also 77 minutes long and the hidden tracks could easily have been cut.

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!

Not as good as I remember

Pretty good, some of what makes it feel complete as an album I don’t prefer, but the songs themselves are pretty good

slay

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

Closing track ("Tell Him") goes really hard, and "Nothing Even Matters" too. I Knew "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" before, great too. Also I like the discussions separate from the songs, a nice touch Still, this rap album isn't as much my thing. There *is* certain rap I really like though, like Speakerboxxx/The Love Below by OutKast (it also has discussions separate from songs, which are done very well there)

Steven correct everyone else wrong

Ya lo había escuchado claramente, ya me gustaba en general sin embargo en lo personal no lo valoro tanto como la opinión popular, sin creer que es malo porque es todo lo contrario creo que es espectacular solo no al nivel que se le tiene.

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

I'm interested in giving this one a listen. Ever since I sat through the Fugee's second album I've seen this album everywhere and have heard about how great and influential Lauryn Hill is despite only having three albums to her name. Listened to it and yeah, not a fan. I can understand where this album innovated if Lauryn Hill was one of the first people to popularise the "being shaken" style of singing, but that kind of vocal performance sounds like utter shit to me. It's an impressive display of vocal range and prowess, but I firmly believe that it belongs to the "for record producers only" category. Every song being sung in this style combined with the minimal instrumentals, lack of breathing room and hour seventeen runtime made this album a profoundly miserable listening experience for me. I wasn't compelled to listen to the lyrics too closely, but they all came across as pretty insipid and self-aggrandising to me. Which beckons the question. Why this is considered a concept album? There isn't really an arc to any of the discussed themes, and what is discussed falls vaguely within the realm of self-love or something. The entire experience is fruitless to me.

Some really good tracks. Some filler.

I loved the latin-influenced beats on this album. Lauryn's voice is also super good, and the harmonies are so cool. It was a little long but I was never bored. Liked this way more than I thought I would.

Excellent album!

Immaculate

Solid listen all the way through.

I will admit that I knew nothing of this album going in, except that it is very highly regarded both in and outside of its genre, and that Apple Music recently proclaimed it to be the best album of all time. So my ignorance did not serve me well here. I could've read up on it before listening. I could've relistened to get a better understanding. I could've not listened to it only in the car. I could've done so many things. I still could. And definitely will in the future. Hell I may even come back to this review and change it. But for now, I just have to say this. I didn't get it. I can recognize its technical excellence; the production alone is worth a listen, if not a little dated in places (those R&B chimes just don't land for me, man. Cliche). I can recognize the beautiful harmonies for their lushness and synergy, and how they elevate each track. I can recognize all that. But in doing so, I still don't understand the hype. I desperately want someone to explain it to me because I would love to know. I didn't dislike this album, don't get me wrong. I just lack the context to understand its greatness. Hell, I couldn't have even told you if Hill was singing, rapping or both at any given moment. I thought the concept was great; the roll call at the beginning where she's absent (hence, her miseducation), and the subsequent interludes of conversations had in a classroom are great and clearly point to the idea that this album and Hill herself have something to say about a handful of topics. I just didn't quite pick up on what those things were. I might've if I'd had the context. I might've if I'd done my homework. But I didn't. I will return to this. It deserves at least that. For now, three stars. Sorry, y'all. I, too, am miseducated. Standout Tracks: I Used to Love Him, Forgive Them Father, Every Ghetto, Every City

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

Very powerful...creative

Another easy 5*s

I thought I'd like this more since I know it's considered to be among the best albums ever or something. I really like her voice but I dislike the genre, I had to skip some songs because I found them irritating and also, the album felt a bit too long.

This is a phenomenal album.

Smooth jazz feel, I can see the cultural influence this has had on music and her consistent beats makes this an easy listen

She has a wonderful voice, and Everything is Everything as well as Ex-Factor are great songs. Rest of the album is ok 3/5

В целом, «The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill» — это альбом, который заслуживает внимания. Он показывает талант и мастерство Lauryn Hill, а также разнообразие её музыкального стиля. Однако, как и любой другой альбом, он не лишён недостатков. Оценка 3 из 5 отражает моё личное восприятие этого альбома.

I hoped this album would help me to understand why so many of these critically-acclaimed hip hop albums are always over an hour long. It didn’t do this, but it did keep a solid rhythm for all of its runtime, even if the songs merged into a general R&B/soul conglomerate after around track 7. Ms. Hill is exceptional both in her vocals and lyricism, and it’s not hard at all to see why this is so well-loved. Again, it’d benefit by being cut by about 20 minutes. But that’s just in terms of the overall value at a glance, not the storytelling and album structure, which becomes fully fledged. Yeah, it’s a great album. But I feel it can’t go much further than this. Certainly not into ‘greatest of all time’ discussions. I hate those anyway.

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

Toll produziert, ein sehr gelungenes Konzept, Kreativität ohne Ende, in jeder Hinsicht technisch einwandfrei. Aber nicht meine Musik. Schade

Honestly, I never understood what sets this album apart from others. It’s all fine, but none of it really stands out in particular to me. How did this rank as Rolling Stone’s 10th greatest album ever?

It's been a long time since I last listened to The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, but I can't help feeling like its shine has dulled a little since its release. There's undoubtedly some great tracks in here, but I was never a big fan of audio skits and dialogue that was so prevalent in this era of Hip Hop and RnB, as I find it just breaks the flow of the music.

crazy listening to this again. i have lots of questions about the content of the album though. like what does she mean about zion

I remember this albums release.

It's not for me. Too smooth. I understand why people like it. I don't quite understand why people think it's one of the greatest albums ever made.

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

Reminds me of a secret crush I had on this guy in high school.

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.

Well, this was huge album in '98, winning awards, elevating Hill to iconic spiritual neo-soul/r&b star status and made the Fugees kind of an afterthought. I had the cd but never REALLY listened to it, I think. Now it's 26, 27 years later. Do people in this genre still have intros and between song "skits" still? How long did that trend last? It's kind of distracting now. The other thing that's distracting is all of the vocal overdubs (or additional people singing call-and-response vocals). They're just relentless. Can we ever get a song where Hill just sings by herself on one track? Is she so insecure that she always has to cover herself up with other voices and sonics? Glad to have listened through this with fresh ears. I love how VARIED it is from track to track, without sounding schitzo... it's held together by her performances, words and ethos. It's essentially a double album, and it sure feels like it. It's LOOONG. ....but it's full of REAL INSTRUMENTS played by real people, and both the instruments and vocals are all kind of UNDERproduced, left to sound just as they are for the most part, without flashy effects or even much reverb at all. "Forgive Them Father", "Superstar" stood out to me, and the Stevie Wonder-esque "Every Ghetto...". The lyrics don't hit me hard... my life experience is worlds away from hers, but I appreciate how she's able to convey her point of view through these songs, from heartbreak to different kinds of love (for a new child, God, a new love, for self), to the pitfalls of the music biz. My main criticisms are: 1) many of the songs seem done, but then go on for another two minutes, 2) too often there are too many cooks in the kitchen (too many singers/voices/rappers), 3) the skits take away from the flow. This is still a significant achievement that certainly belongs on this list.

This album definitely means a lot to me. I gave it on vinyl as a gift to my old doctor, who as it turns out went to school with Lauren Hill. Love the schoolhouse sounds between tracks. Also Everything is Everything is one of my favorite tracks of all time. Still don't love it enough for five stars, but damn is it close.

Lauren Hill är en artist som jag hört mycket om men typ aldrig lyssnat medvetet på. Detta var riktigt bra tycker jag! Ett konceptalbum med rap, hip-hop, RnB och lite gospel till och med. Gillar variationen som inte känns tillgjord utan naturlig. Kommer definitivt lyssna igen! 4/5

Monumental. Narrativ, sångskrivande, sound. Har allt.

Intressant och välskrivet konceptalbum. Lauryn Hill har väldigt bra flow. Blir dock lite uttråkad mot slutet, så inte ett perfekt album.

She missed class the day they taught about love. Enjoyed the sketches, would have liked...I dunno, except for the singles I would have liked some melody. Beautiful harmonies, beautiful riffs, but it did not stick with me.

J'aime bien sa voix, j'aime bien son style, j'aime bien ses utilisations d'accumulations de voix.

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.

this is not my first time listening to this album. Dissect did a season on this (which I believe has been removed since), but I was gearing up for that by listening to this before. this album is smooth like buttah. between the rapping, the lyrics, and the melodies, this album wraps you up in a blanket and gives you a really amazing snapshot into Lauryn Hill's life and her experiences. I feel like if I had read the lyrics all the way through for this album, it could be bumped to a 5 but for now it will rest at a mighty 4.

I appreciated it and liked some of the songs but it was a bit too long and got repetitive. I’m just not super into 90s r&b

Low 4 or high 3 for me. Really enjoyed X factor specifically. The rapping itself is fine for my taste, but the songs are good throughout. I really enjoyed the singing and the musical aspect of the album the most. I’m doing this review after listening to this and jungle bros back to back. Very crazy to see the development in the genre over about a decade. This is another album that permeates across the culture. I will give it a 4 because it was consistently good and had a few standout songs. This album doesn’t garner a five because it’s too long, which results in some troughs in quality, and the rapping (while better than the late 80’s) doesn’t hold up to her contemporaries.

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.

This is an album that I have seen in every top album list. The cover art is in the background anytime people are talking about greatest records of all time. I'm glad I finally listened to it, and I can see what the hype it was all about. It's a really great piece of art with meaning and depth to it. I like how the song genres vary and blend back and forth between hip-hop and reggae. This is a tough one because I do think it deserves a five, but it's not really a genre I typically enjoy. I'm going to go with a 4 but I reserve my one time a year edit right to bump it up to a 5 later.

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

Riktigt skön pipa. Fyra.

Unbelievable album. A debut album at that. I hate to be that guy but if you are doing this album generator I’m assuming you are doing this for the love of the art of music. This is art. If you do not appreciate this for what it is I believe you may have some internalized bias such as racism or misogyny. I see way to many negative reviews on this masterpiece and everyone single one of them seem to stem from one of those two reasons. Again, this. Is. Pure. Art. Lauryn Hill inspired an entire generation of rap artists. We would not have gotten the Kanye we got if it wasn’t for Lauryn and this album specifically. This is truly a masterpiece, from production to musicality to composition to wordplay. Truly a spectacle of the rap genre. 5/5 and possibly my favorite album of the generator yet.

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.

classic but not my favorite genre

At first glance, I thought i wasn't going to like The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill seeing as it didn't give off the best first impression with the first two songs (not counting the intro) but as the album kept going, it did start to have some good songs. The main issue with the first few songs (which bleeds into a few of the other songs a little by the way) was that the composition of both the vocals and the instruments could get messy and disorganized to the point where it becomes sensory overload but in a lot of the other songs, the beats were cool, Lauryn had some good vocals and the lyrics were decent as well. This album's issues do hold it back but not enough to make it bad. Best Song: I Used To Love Him Worst Song: Lost Ones

I need give it a few relistens. Mostly liked it but kind of blends together at points

Listened to this one before. It's good, but not something I'd continually go back to. I don't understand exactly why it's hailed as one of the top albums of all time, but again, just not my genre.

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.

God hiphop rnb afro ting. Massere af gode sange. Åbenbart kendt for at slå igennem med at bryde normerne omkring kvindelige rappere i sin tid. Virkelig cool

90’s R&B/hip hop isn’t my jam, but this album was very good

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've seen this album get such high praise, and I just don't get it. Like, it's a pretty good album, I enjoyed it, but I don't find anything that exciting to it.

Great singles, the rest felt a bit unfocussed.