Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill : Who would have thought that little Rita--the temperamental yet talented little girl in Sister Act 2--would grow up to be one of the most respected and influential women in hip-hop? Lauryn "L-Boogie" Hill epitomizes the ideal lyricist: one who is real to her passion and determined to stay that way. Her 1998 classic, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, was the fastest-selling debut album for a female artist, and it quickly established her as a prominent solo performer. Breakthrough joints like "Everything Is Everything," "Doo Wop (That Thing)," and "Ex-Factor" illustrated her personal and political viewpoints, as well as demonstrated her unrelenting talents as a producer. Lauryn is currently prepping for her highly anticipated sophomore album, and there are talks of Kanye West lending a hand with some production duties. And whether or not she reunites with her former group, The Fugees, Lauryn will always be remembered as a key factor in prospering the female voice in hip-hop.

Lauryn Hill biography

Lauryn Hill was one of two children to Valerie Hill, an English teacher, and Mal Hill, a computer consultant. She has an older brother, Melaney.

Lauryn Hill was one of two children to Valerie Hill, an English teacher, and Mal Hill, a computer consultant. She has an older brother, Melaney. At the age of thirteen she appeared on "Amateur Night" on Showtime at the Apollo. She lost the competition, but her ambition remained fierce. In high school she formed the band, the Fugees, with childhood friends, Wyclef Jean and Prakazrel Michel. Their second album, THE SCORE, won two Grammy Awards for Best Rap Album and Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group. They became the largest-selling rap group of all time. Following these triumphs, the band decided to branch out into solo pursuits.

Hill's solo debut, THE MISEDUCATION OF LAURYN HILL, had the highest first week sales of any album by a female artist in history. She won four NAACP Image Awards and received 10 Grammy nominations for the album. She went home from the Grammys with five awards, the most ever received by a female artist. The album was also the first hip-hop release in history to win Album of the Year.

Hill has written and produced hit songs for Aretha Franklin and CeCe Winans. She has formed her own film production company and says she's interested in creating black science-fiction films. She is also the founder of The Refugee Camp Youth Project which focuses on improving the quality of life for inner-city children. She currently lives in her hometown, South Orange, New Jersey with her husband Rohan Marley (Bob Marley's son), their two children, Zion and Selah, and her parents.

CHRONOLOGY

1975

She was born in South Orange, New Jersey. (May 26)

1988

She appeared on "Amateur Night" on Showtime at the Apollo.

1991

She had a recurring role on "As the World Turns."

1993

BLUNTED ON REALITY - album with Tranzlator Crew (later the Fugees); She enrolled at Columbia University.

1994

SISTER ACT II: BACK IN THE HABIT - film

1996

Her son, Zion, was born.; FUGEES - album with the Fugees; She won Grammys for Best Rap Album for THE SCORE and Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group for "Killing Me Softly."

1998

Her daughter, Selah Louise, was born. (November 12); THE MISEDUCATION OF LAURYN HILL - album

1999

She won five Grammys for THE MISEDUCATION OF LAURYN HILL.

Who is to say what she will accomplish next?....

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