The Grammy Award winning album is getting governmental preservation and recognition
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill moved many as a master’s work in the modern music world. To this day it is still regarded as one of the most honest and raw albums that can be found in the hip hop community. Seventeen years after its Grammy Award winning release, it has been inducted into the Library of Congress.
Each year, the Library of Congress selects 25 pieces to induct into the archives to be forever preserved and protected. “Congress understood the importance of protecting America’s aural patrimony when it passed the National Recording Preservation Act 15 years ago,” said the Library’s curator, James H. Billington. He continued, “By preserving these recordings, we safeguard the words, sounds and music that embody who we are as a people and a nation.”
Just beginning a solo life and career off of a very hard and very dark Fugees breakup, Lauryn Hill’s 1999 album broke records and rocketed her to winning an astounding 5 Grammys in a single night. Since then, the album still is rotated on most major radio stations, from hip hop to soft rock.
The Library of Congress’ statement regarding the album’s induction went as follows:
Lauryn Hill’s debut solo record, following the breakup of the Fugees, is a work of honesty in which Hill explores her feelings on topics that included the deep wonder of pregnancy, the pitfalls of modern relationships and the experience of the sacred. The album effortlessly fuses soul, rhythm and blues, rap and reggae. Hill’s vocal range, smooth clear highs and vibrato are stunning. The rapping is rhythmically compelling while always retaining, and frequently exploiting, the natural cadences of conversational speech. Standout guest performances include Carlos Santana’s soulful acoustic guitar solo on “Zion,” and duets with Mary J. Blige and D’Angelo on “I Used to Love Him” and “Nothing Even Matters,” respectively.
