ARTIST

Lauryn Hill

The baby girl of the multi-platinum and multi-talented trio The Fugees -- Lauryn Hill, a.k.a. L Boogie -- actually heeded the requests of many fans who had been begging the sweet-singing/rapping/ producing dynamo to record an album of her own. The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill had fans across the world sitting on the edge of their seats, wondering what direction the New Jersey native would take.

As displayed in the past, Hill did not limit herself to just rapping. It was actually Hill's co-starring role with Whoopi Goldberg in Sister Act 2 that catapulted her rap career with The Fugees and her impressive singing of Roberta Flack's "Killing Me Softly" that pushed the Fugees' sophomore album The Score beyond five million sales.

The Fugees' 1994 debut Blunted on Reality, actually a decent record with incredible remixes, made Lauryn Hill a top hip-hop contender for her hip, articulate, and intelligent raps, and her more recent vocal stylings showcase her longevity. After The Fugees hit it big, Hill penned and sang the love ballad "The Sweetest Thing" for the Love Jones soundtrack. The song was so moving and genuine it seemed out of place with today's predictable R&B songs. The same can be said of the '70s-reminiscient "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You," a release from Hill's solo album.

Hill's work has even gained the admiration of respected musical veterans like Aretha Franklin, who had Hill write and produce "A Rose Is Still a Rose," the top-selling title track and first single from Franklin's latest album. Hill even directed the video.

Branching out to release a solo record was undoubtedly a difficult decision for Hill, whose introduction to the music scene came from her Fugee affiliates Wyclef Jean and Pras (they invited Hill to join their group when she was just a high school freshman). But as much as fans love the chemistry of The Fugees threesome, they can't be faulted for craving more of the beautiful vocalist whose eloquence and elegance always seem to steal the show.

Written by Billy Johnson Jr