In a recent interview with Rolling Stone, Lauryn Hill explains her reason for not creating a true sophomore album following her debut album ‘Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’.
“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!” Hill said during Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums podcast.”
“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.”
Speaking to the impact of her music and the motivation behind the album, Hill said:
“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,” Hill said when asked about the album’s legacy.”
“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.”
Photo source: AmazonUK
Hill then addressed the album’s foresight as it predates the recently publicized systemic racism we face in our society.
All of my albums have probably addressed systemic racism to some degree, before this was something this generation openly talked about. I was called crazy.
Now…over a decade later, we hear this as part of the mainstream chorus,” she said. “Ok, so chalk some of it up to leadership and how that works—I was clearly ahead, but you also have to acknowledge the blatant denial that went down with that.
The public abuse and ostracizing while suppressing and copying what I had done, (I protested) with still no real acknowledgment that all of that even happened, is a lot.”
Photo source: The Medium
Lauryn Hill’s debut album was recognized for its uncompromising nature as it set the tone for how an artist can create music without falling to the norm and still be commercially and critically acclaimed. Rolling Stone placed ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ at #10 on its “500 Best Albums of All Time list”.
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Education: Computer Network Engineering, Computer Desktop Administration
Fave Song: Destiny's Child 'Dangerously in love'
Fave Colour: Grey.
With £1m what would you do: I would do my part to provide opportunities to the less fortunate. Then do my best to change the world in my own way through sports and talent building.
