On this day in Hip Hop history, one of the queens of the genre Lauryn Hill was born in East Orange, New Jersey.
Since the early 90s Hill has been singing the lives of millions through her beautifully conscious and down to earth lyricism, brutal flow and angelic voice. Her ability and success as a solo artist and as a part of The Fugees led her to be nominated for a plethora of awards, including but not limited to: three American Music Awards, 19 Grammys, nine MTV Music Awards, 12 Soul Train Awards, and three World Music Awards.
Out of her 61 international nominations, Ms. Hill has taken home 39 awards, making her one of the most decorated artists in music. She’s even tied with Beyoncé for female nominated for the most Grammy Awards in one night, with 10. In honor of her illustrious career, we have compiled a list of some of her most nominated and award winning tracks.
Doo Wop (That Thing)
“Doo Wop (That Thing)” is Lauryn Hill’s only #1 hit on the Billboard 200 to date. It’s also her most rewarded single receiving two Grammy awards, Best R&B Song and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. The song also won Best Female Video, Best R&B Video, Best Art Direction and Video of the Year. The single sold over 600,000 and made appeared on top music charts in 12 countries outside of the United States.
Killing Me Softly
Released by The Fugees in 1996, “Killing Me Softly” was a remake of the popular Roberta Flack record “Killing Me Softly With His Song.” Much like the original track, this single was a smash hit but on a larger scale. The Fugees cut of the single was #1 around the world claim the top spot of music charts in 18 different countries (but not the Billboard 200 strangely enough). The song went platinum in multiple countries as well selling 1.3 million copies in the UK alone. The single won Best R&B Performance by a duo or Group at the 1997 Grammy Awards.
Turn Your Lights Down Low
Released in 1999 as a cover of the 1977 Bob Marley and The Wailers hit, this single was nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the 43rd Grammy Awards but lost to B.B. King & Dr. John‘s “Is You Is, or Is You Ain’t (My Baby)” The song was officially credited as Lauryn Hill & Bob Marley. The record received the award for R&B Video of the Year at the MVPA Awards.
Ex-Factor
Released independently on December 8, 1998, “Ex-Factor” was another internationally popular single from Lauryn Hill and spent 22 weeks on the Billboard 200 list. It was awarded the award for Best R&B single at the 1999 Soul Train Awards.
Everything is Everything
Last but not least “Everything is Everything” was last official single released until 2010. It was nominated for Best Music Video at the Grammy’s in 2000 along with Best Art Direction, Best Hip-Hop Video, and Best Special Effects at the 2000 VMAs, R&B Video of the Year at the 2000 MVPA Awards and Best R&B/Soul Single at the Soul Train Awards.
From everyone here at The Source Magazine, Happy Born Day, Ms. Lauryn Hill. Thank you for all the beautiful music you’ve given the world.
