Lauryn Hill, a singer, rapper, songwriter, producer, activist, and mother was born in South Orange, New Jersey in 1975. Though the name of her acclaimed solo album is entitled "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill," the title should not be interpreted too literally. Hill completed her freshman year of college at Columbia University before entering the world of hip-hop.

In 1993, she joined Prakazrel "Pras" Michel and Wyclef Jean to form the Fugees. With the group she sang her way towards the Grammy Awards in 1996: "Best Rap Album" for the Fugees' album "The Score," and "Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group" for her poignant vocals in the hit, "Killing Me Softly." With such prestigious merits under their belts, Lauryn Hill and the Fugees ensured a high spot in music history.

However, in 1998, Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill had a conflict between themselves and the Fugees were no more. Wyclef, after his hit solo album had established Refugee Camp Entertainment, which was the label of artists such as Pras, John Forte, and later Canibus as well. Lauryn Hill went her own way after the split and eventually produced her own solo album, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill."

The album is an incredible display of all aspects of Hill's talents and personalities. The first hit song from the album, "Lost Ones," became popular over the summer of 1998, and was mainly directed toward Wyclef Jean. At the end of the first verse she raps, "Now you wanna ball over separation; tarnish my image in your conversation; who you gon' scrimmage, like you the champion? You might win some but you just lost one." Later in the album, she edges into a more traditional hip-hop mood in "Doo Wop (That Thing)," a song which is still fairly popular now, as is "Everything is Everything" and the hidden track "Can't Take My Eyes Off You." Dedicated to her young son, "To Zion" exhibits Lauryn Hill's role as a loving mother.

In the world of hip-hop, rap, and R&B, many artists have come, had success, and gone nearly unnoticed. The question then arises, "Will the same happen to Lauryn Hill?" The answer is no. With the Fugees, Hill left a mark on music history and now she will do the same with her solo album. Her production is a perfect balance of boldness and warmth, of strength and sensitivity, of rap and vocals. At least half of the album has been frequently requested on the radio, and some stations even play her intro at times. With such great artistic and commercial success, Hill is bound to leave a mark on the music industry for years to come.

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