Lauryn Hill's seminal album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, has long been considered a classic for her exploration of love, life and Black womanhood. This year the recording, released in 1998, will be immortalized by the Library of Congress.
Lauryn's work and 24 others will be added to the archive because they are "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” according to a press release the Library of Congress issued.
Lauryn Hill’s debut solo record, following the breakup of the Fugees, is a work of honesty in which Hill explores her feelings on topics that included the deep wonder of pregnancy, the pitfalls of modern relationships and the experience of the sacred. The album effortlessly fuses soul, rhythm and blues, rap and reggae. Hill’s vocal range, smooth clear highs and vibrato are stunning. The rapping is rhythmically compelling while always retaining, and frequently exploiting, the natural cadences of conversational speech. Standout guest performances include Carlos Santana’s soulful acoustic guitar solo on ‘Zion,’ and duets with Mary J. Blige and D’Angelo on ‘I Used to Love Him’ and ‘Nothing Even Matters,’ respectively.
The album will be preserved by the Library of Congress in perpetuity so that it will not be lost or forgotten.
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Kimberly Foster is the founder and editor of For Harriet. Email or Follow @KimberlyNFoster