My birth year, 1998, gave me two gifts: life and The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Let me be honest; I take immense pride in being born in the same year as the greatest album ever released. Though I had no choice in the matter, I claim it as divine intervention — shoutout to my mama. 2018 not only marks my 20th birthday, but also the 20th anniversary of the album that I’ve started to reflect on in regards to my life and the world around me.
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill stands out as an oral history of Black girlhood. Lauryn Hill offers us a three-dimensional story through her lyricism and interludes. Essentially, the 16-track project tells a coming of age story. From the iconic “Intro,” which introduces us to the timeless interludes, to “Tell Him,” the vulnerable closing track, Hill is telling us a story about a Black girl grappling with identity, sexuality, and faith as she grows into a Black woman.
Throughout my life, different songs from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill have narrated my trauma and my peace. The classic bops, “Doo Wop” and “Lost Ones,” focus on the interactions of men and women in the Black community. It took me twenty years to realize that Hill was doing so much more than singing and rapping. She uses her artistry to give life to the Black women’s everyday pain.
In her lyrics, Hill is exploring larger themes that plagued her life (and likewise the lives of many Black women). A major theme she touches on throughout the album is misogyny. She is singing about the power dynamics of heterosexual relationships under the influence of patriarchy and misogynoir.
Another example of Lauryn Hill’s oral history is the song “To Zion.” As she sings over Carlos Santana, Hill delves into the intimate relationship a Black woman has with her unborn baby. The song is an ode to the unborn child which highlights the struggles of Black women with faith and fertility. Throughout the album Lauryn Hill explores themes central to the unique experiences of Black women due to our compounded marginalization.
Growing up with The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill shows the versatility of Lauryn Hill’s music and Black womanhood. Both have limitless potential and both are the greatest of all time.
You might also like
More from Music
From the Cell to ‘Championships’: Meek Mill is 2018’s MVP
In celebration of his latest album, Meek Mill tweeted, “We had to beat the streets, beat the system, beat racism, …
Baltimore City’s Rahkai and Tay Shakir Give Light to the City with ‘WELCOME TO KHAOS’ Collaboration EP
WELCOME TO KHAOS EP is a 2018 collaboration project by Baltimore rapper Rahkai and Baltimore producer Tay Shakir that highlights …
Two Lights in the Khaos: A Demo Tape Interview with Baltimore’s Rahkai and Tay Shakir
There's the DMV...there's Maryland...and then there's Baltimore City. If anyone is a native of the infamous area, then they know the …
