As iconic albums go, few can rival the reverberating, culture shifting brilliance of Lauryn Hill‘s 1998 solo debut ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.’
Winner of 5 GRAMMY Awards, including Album of The Year, the socially conscious LP is widely hailed as one of the most revered releases of all-time. Indeed, it received the honor of being included by the Library of Congress in the National Recording Registry.
But one reality has always run parallel to its legend: til this day it remains Hills sole studio album.
Various reasons have been offered up over the years, from Hill and the project’s collaborators, but the singer herself has spoken up and out about the matter in a super rare interview with Rolling Stone.
Find out what she had to say below…
In an email exchange featured in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums podcast special, the mother of six said of the lack of ‘Miseducation’ follow-up:
“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! 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.”
Her latest stance, while possibly surprising to some, isn’t all that different from what we’ve heard about her take on the matter – both publicly and through the grapevine.
Whatever the actuality of the situation, it’s a tricky predicament.
On the one hand, who wouldn’t want more from her? But, on the other, the pressure to deliver (and not blemish her unique discography) is almost too towering.
With that, what are…
I knew she was going to say that somehow she was the victim… Of course, they definitely werent interested and die not support you…Not Like your first album was a big seller and they would have liked to have another hit…makes super sense…
They didn’t want to work with her again because she difficult and mentally challenged 🖕🏽
Maybe if she stopped being the angry black woman and gave people credit for ghostwriting for her then people would want to work with her again. Plus that Ronald McDonald makeup just made her look even more like a clown just like it does to Fancy CLOWN, so it is impossible for anyone to ever take her seriously again.
🥱 It’s 2021 Danzou….come up with some new shīt.
I would never change a classic b|tch, and I see you have taken your racism to a next level. You vile racist CLOWN.
🥱 You are the epitome of a loser. I predict 2021 will be a humbling year for you. 🖕🏻🖕🏻💋💋
Just like know one takes you seriously clown the streets are saying you a white male trolling urban blogs like a loser with no life? Must be that Neanderthal Genoe can’t help being a savage beast who doesn’t know how to mind it’s own business.
You would know what It means to not be taken seriously your whole life is a joke.
You’re an angry white troll with no legacy or impact.
Lauren an angry black woman with a legacy and impact.
@tyty aka Fancy CLOWN you are a joke as always, this site hasn’t been “urban” in years if it was “urban” then why do they constantly post about Taylor Swift, Little Mix, Gwen Stefani, Dua Lipa, Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus to name a few. I will always stand up to bullies that’s why I took control of this account. All you do is bully behind a keyboard because you would never have the guts to say anything to people faces, and if you hate white people so much why do you have a white woman as your avatar? NOW go and juggle for me CLOWN.
She released an accoustic album. ONe of my favorites. “Just like the water!” is my isht!
That album🙌
I thought it was because she owed money to IRS and therefore if she made another album she would have to cough up.
Also her attitude is terrible, lots of people would not want to work with her anyway.
I think when u come off such a big album, you have to want to make music. The label as she said put expectations up but its up to you to do whatever you want. Example Adele 21 and 25 she releases albums every 5 years cuz the pressure is so much. If people would take the examples of Beyonce and Taylor swift and just release it cuz you like doing music and you love and appreciate the fans it is what it is. Cardi and rihanna need to be listening to this.
Difference is Adele wasnt a b*tch and still isn’t now.
Nods in agreement
I never got that impression from Rihanna. I always felt she did what she wanted to and released music how and when she wanted. You can tell she calls the shots and controls how music.
A person who doesn’t write or produce music will never call the shots? Who is she calling the shots to?
@tyty beyonce, Adele not Whitney wrote or produce the vast majority of their music. So what’s your point?
That’s a great point. If Rihanna doesn’t write her music, and has no talent for musical or vocal production, what does she control? How can you be in control when you’re not a creator? When you rely so heavily on others for that? Her last album, Kanye produced it, Travis Scott named it, and she found the album cover through Jay Z. What exactly does she do?? As far as we can tell, the only thing she chooses is which one article of clothing she’s gonna wear on the album cover. Adele, Beyoncé, and Whitney (especially Adele and Beyoncé) have written and produced plenty of their music. You’d have a hard time convincing anyone that Rihanna’s written even one song by herself. Let alone the fact that her biggest hits all came from other people. Even her peers don’t rave about her talent or go, “I admire her as a musician, or she’s such a gifted songwriter” etc. Nothing. She’s not an artist. At the very least, she’s a good musical curator — basically a glorified cover artist. She Probably has some fire Spotify playlists…
Beyoncé and Adele are on record writing and producing not to mention many who have worked with them say so. Nhevi so insecure your girl has no musical talent whatsoever that’s a fact. Why take it as an insult. I’m sure even Rihanna herself doesn’t delude herself into thinking otherwise.
Whitney could sing but she also had to rely on Clive Davis who said she was in complete control??
Any artist who doesn’t contribute zero musical talent doesn’t control anything.
I personally appreciate the fact that she gives song writers who aren’t necessarily well known chances to take the careers to the next level. There are a lot of artist out there that aren’t as transparent with the creative process. Rihanna is doing something bigger than writing songs. She’s creating jobs and opportunities for people and actually allowing them to shine.
Because she was spreading good messages to young women to preserve yourself and find a higher purpose.
They can’t have that in the community they only like thots like lil Kim & Cardi B pushing an agenda to bring women of color down .
How else will planned parenthood make money ??
Finally someone with some sense. This is the real reason.
💯
It’s been 23 years. I think it’s safe to say no one cares anymore.
And yet here you are 23 years later commenting on a topic you claim no one cares about. 🤔
They tried to get her to dumb down society and she refused. She was given creative freedom, to begin with, because they didn’t think she would be as big as she was. Of course, the record label would try to capitalize on her success. She refused to give in and dumb down her music. Good for her!
That was then, but what about now?
Please… she sounds like she’s the only one who’s been in that position.
Stop blaming everyone around you.
What about her lateness at her shows… who is she gonna blame for that ?
After decades of nothing… it’s not even worth listening to her excuses.
I wish her the best.