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Mariano Regidor/RedfernsLauryn Hill burst into the music scene as a solo artist in 1998 when she released her critically acclaimed debut album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Over 22 years later, it remains her only studio effort.
Speaking to the 500 Greatest Albums podcast from Rolling Stone on Monday, the “Doo Wop (That Thing)” singer revealed why she never returned to the studio to make a follow up album.
While fans would believe her team would have wanted her back in the studio right away, Hill says she had the exact opposite experience.
“The wild thing is no one from my label ever called me and asked, ‘How can we help you make another album?” Ever… EVER,” She said.
Hill says Miseducation became such a massively successful hit, it brought out the worst in her team.
“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,” the eight-time Grammy winner revealed.
“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,” she sighed. “Artist suppression is definitely a thing.”
Despite everything, the former Fugees singer is extremely proud of what the album accomplished, saying, “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.”
“I challenged the norm and introduced a new standard. I believe the Miseducation did that,” said Hill.
Miseducaton went onto sell over eight million copies and became the first R&B album to win the Grammy for Album of the Year.
By Megan Stone
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