You can't talk about the greatest albums of all time without mentioning Lauryn Hill's 1998 release, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The album, now certified 8x Platinum by the RIAA, garnered the Fugees femcee 5 Grammy wins and the respect of all of her industry peers.
So why hasn't L-Boogie released another album in 22 years?
In the latest episode of Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums podcast, exclusively available on Amazon Music, Lauryn talks about Miseducation's legacy and the lack of support she had for a follow-up.
Lauryn Hill on Miseducation’s legacy:
“I’ve always been pretty critical of myself artistically, so of course there are things I hear that could have been done differently but the LOVE in the album, the passion, it’s intention is to me, undeniable. I think my intention was simply to make something that made my foremothers and forefathers in music and social and political struggle know that someone received what they’d sacrificed to give us, and to let my peers know that we could walk in that truth, proudly and confidently. At that time, I felt like it was a duty or responsibility to do so. … I challenged the norm and introduced a new standard. I believe the Miseducation did that and I believe I still do this—defy convention when the convention is questionable.
Lauryn Hill on why she never recorded another studio album:
“The wild thing is no one from my label has ever called me and asked how can we help you make another album, EVER…EVER. Did I say ever? Ever! … With the Miseducation, there was no precedent. I was, for the most part, free to explore, experiment and express. After the Miseducation, there were scores of tentacled obstructionists, politics, repressing agendas, unrealistic expectations, and saboteurs EVERYWHERE. People had included me in their own narratives of THEIR successes as it pertained to my album, and if this contradicted my experience, I was considered an enemy.”
For the full interview, listen here.