Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Lauryn Hill
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Lauryn Hill made an impact.
Lauryn Hill is a highly influential American rapper, singer, songwriter, producer, and actress. She is recognized for breaking down barriers for women in rap, merging hip-hop and neo-soul, and blending rap with melodic vocals. Lauded for her vocal talent, she has been featured on lists such as NPR's 50 Great Voices and Rolling Stone's 200 Greatest Singers of All Time. Billboard named her the greatest female rapper in 2015. She has won eight Grammy Awards, the most for any female rapper.
1988: Appearance on It's Showtime at the Apollo
In 1988, Lauryn Hill appeared as an Amateur Night contestant on "It's Showtime at the Apollo", where she sang her version of Smokey Robinson's "Who's Lovin' You".
1990: Formation of The Fugees
In 1990, Lauryn Hill formed The Fugees with Wyclef Jean and Pras, beginning her journey as the frontwoman of the group.
1991: Acting Debut
In 1991, Lauryn Hill began her acting career with an appearance in "As the World Turns", marking her entry into the entertainment industry.
1993: Roles in 'King of the Hill' and 'Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit'
In 1993, Lauryn Hill appeared in Steven Soderbergh's drama film, "King of the Hill", and gained widespread praise for her performance as Rita in "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit".
1993: Appearance in King of the Hill and Graduation
In 1993, Lauryn Hill appeared in Steven Soderbergh's motion picture "King of the Hill". She also graduated from Columbia High School in 1993, marking the end of her secondary education.
1993: Co-starring in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
In 1993, Lauryn Hill co-starred alongside Whoopi Goldberg in the release "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit", playing Rita Louise Watson and performing the songs "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" and "Joyful, Joyful".
1993: Portraying Rita Watson in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
In 1993, Lauryn Hill portrayed Rita Watson in the film Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. Her performance in the film inspired Janelle Monáe to pursue an acting career.
1993: Signing with Columbia/Ruffhouse Records
In 1993, The Fugees signed a contract with Columbia/Ruffhouse Records, marking a significant step in their music career.
1994: Release of Blunted on Reality
In 1994, The Fugees released their debut album, "Blunted on Reality".
1996: Foundation of the Refugee Project
In 1996, Lauryn Hill founded the Refugee Project, a non-profit outreach organization aimed at transforming the attitudes and behavior of at-risk urban youth.
1996: Release of The Score
In 1996, The Fugees' second album, "The Score", peaked at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200, sold about seven million copies in the United States and more than 20 million copies worldwide.
1996: The Score Tops Billboard 200, Grammy Award
In 1996, The Fugees' second album, "The Score", topped the Billboard 200 and made Hill the first woman to win a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. The album featured the hit single "Killing Me Softly". Also, around this time, she collaborated with Nas on the single "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)".
1997: Fugees since 1997
For the first time since 1997, the Fugees performed in September 2004 at Dave Chappelle's Block Party in the Bedford–Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn.
1997: Cameo appearance in Hav Plenty
In 1997, Lauryn Hill had a cameo appearance in the film "Hav Plenty", adding to her portfolio of film appearances.
1997: Rendition of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You"
In 1997, Lauryn Hill's rendition of "Can't Take My Eyes Off You" for the film Conspiracy Theory appeared on Billboard charts.
1997: Benefit event for the Refugee Project
In 1997, a benefit event for the Refugee Project introduced a board of trustees that included Sean Combs, Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, Spike Lee, and others.
1997: Recording of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill Begins
Lauryn Hill began recording her solo record "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" from late 1997 through June 1998 at Tuff Gong Studios in Jamaica.
June 1998: Recording of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill Concludes
The recording of Lauryn Hill's solo record, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill", concluded in June 1998 at Tuff Gong Studios in Jamaica.
August 25, 1998: Release of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
On August 25, 1998, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" was released, receiving rave reviews from contemporary music critics and becoming the most acclaimed album of the year.
1998: Last Comprehensive Set of Studio Recordings Before 'What Happened, Miss Simone?'
Before releasing 'What Happened, Miss Simone?' in 2015, Lauryn Hill's album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, released in 1998, was her last comprehensive set of studio recordings.
1998: Commercial Success of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
In 1998, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" sold nearly 423,000 copies in its first week and topped the Billboard 200 for four weeks and the Billboard R&B Albums chart for six weeks.
1998: Role in the film Restaurant
In 1998, Lauryn Hill took up a small, but important role in the film "Restaurant", where she played the protagonist's pregnant former girlfriend.
1998: Release of "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill"
In 1998, Lauryn Hill's debut solo album, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill", opened at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 to widespread critical acclaim. The album included standout tracks such as "Ex-Factor", "Nothing Even Matters", and "Lost Ones".
1998: Time Declared Her the 'Queen of Hip Hop'
In 1998, Time declared Lauryn Hill as the "Queen of Hip Hop", solidifying her impact and influence in the music industry.
1998: Release of Doo Wop (That Thing)
In 1998, the first single released from the album, "Doo Wop (That Thing)", debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, combining feelings of self-empowerment with self-defense.
1998: Lauryn Hill released The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill's album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill released in 1998, is considered as a classic gem that have become samples for many rap game MVPs
February 1999: NAACP Image Awards
In February 1999, Lauryn Hill received four awards at the 30th Annual NAACP Image Awards.
May 1999: Ebony and People Magazine Recognition
In May 1999, Lauryn Hill was named the youngest woman on Ebony magazine's 100+ Most Influential Black Americans list and made People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People list.
June 1999: Essence Award and Public Reaction
In June 1999, Lauryn Hill received an Essence Award, but her acceptance speech drew criticism from those who thought she was not a good role model as a young, unwed mother of two.
1999: Multiple Grammy wins including Album of the Year
At the 41st Annual Grammy Awards in 1999, Lauryn Hill won five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill'. This made it the first Hip hop album to win the award. That night, she also set the record for most nominations for a female artist and became the first female rapper to win Best New Artist.
1999: Earnings from Record Sales and Touring
During 1999, Lauryn Hill earned $25 million from record sales and touring, underscoring her commercial success and popularity.
1999: Billboard Considered Hill's Success a Breakthrough for Female Rappers
In 1999, Billboard considered Lauryn Hill's success to be a breakthrough for female rappers, leading to a brief increase of female rappers in the music industry, dubbed 'The Lauryn Hill Effect'.
1999: Cover of Time magazine and neo soul pioneer
In 1999, Lauryn Hill appeared on the cover of Time magazine, the only black musician to do so that decade. With 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill', she pioneered the neo soul movement, achieving mainstream success and becoming the best-selling neo soul album of all time.
1999: MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year
In 1999, Lauryn Hill became the first black solo act to win MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year, marking a significant milestone in her career and the music industry.
1999: Cover of Time, Duet with Bob Marley
In 1999, Lauryn Hill became the first rapper to appear on the cover of Time. Later that year, her duet with Bob Marley, "Turn Your Lights Down Low", reached the top ten internationally.
1999: Grammy Nominations and Wins
In 1999, Lauryn Hill became the first woman to be nominated in ten categories at the Grammy Awards. She also broke a record by becoming the first woman to win five times in one night, taking home awards for Album of the Year, Best R&B Album, Best R&B Song, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, and Best New Artist.
1999: Co-production of Santana's album Supernatural
In 1999, Lauryn Hill co-produced Santana's successful album "Supernatural", for which she won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year, showcasing her versatility as a producer.
1999: Collaboration with the Federal government of the United States for an anti-drug campaign
In 1999, Lauryn Hill collaborated with the Federal government of the United States for an anti-drug campaign.
1999: Partnership with Levi Strauss & Co. and Armani
In 1999, Lauryn Hill partnered with Levi Strauss & Co. to create custom outfits for her Miseducation Tour. Hill also partnered with Armani during the late 1990s; the brand designed multiple custom looks for Hill and helped sponsored her Miseducation of Lauryn Hill tour.
July 11, 2000: National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign Hearing
On July 11, 2000, a hearing evaluating the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign was held at Congress. It was announced that Lauryn Hill's ad was the most popular, with nearly 95 percent of polled youth stating they were affected by the ad.
2000: John Galliano Chose Hill as Muse for Dior Spring/Summer Collection
In 2000, John Galliano selected Lauryn Hill as his muse for the Dior Spring/Summer collection. This collection, inspired by Hill, included models with dreadlocks and hoop earrings and introduced the Dior 'Saddle Bag'.
2000: Grammy Award for Santana's Supernatural Album
In early 2000, Lauryn Hill was one of the producers to share the Grammy Award for Album of the Year for Santana's 1999 multi-million-selling Supernatural album, whereon she had written, produced, and rapped on the track "Do You Like the Way". She was also nominated for Best R&B Song for "All That I Can Say" for Mary J. Blige. Her duet with Bob Marley on "Turn Your Lights Down Low" also received a Grammy nomination.
July 2001: MTV Unplugged Special Taping
In July 2001, Lauryn Hill, while pregnant, unveiled new material to a small crowd for a taping of an MTV Unplugged special.
May 2002: Release of MTV Unplugged No. 2.0
In May 2002, Lauryn Hill released a live album of her MTV Unplugged concert, titled MTV Unplugged No. 2.0, which received mixed reviews from critics.
2002: Closure of Refugee Project
By 2002, Lauryn Hill had shut down her non-profit Refugee Project, citing a desire for things to come from a place of passion rather than obligation.
2002: Release of 'MTV Unplugged No. 2.0'
In 2002, Lauryn Hill's Grammy-nominated live album "MTV Unplugged No. 2.0" debuted in the Billboard 200 top five and achieved platinum status.
September 2004: Fugees Performance at Dave Chappelle's Block Party
In September 2004, the Fugees performed at Dave Chappelle's Block Party in Brooklyn, with Lauryn Hill's nearly a cappella rendition of "Killing Me Softly".
2004: Contributions and Grammy Nomination
In 2004, Lauryn Hill contributed "The Passion" to The Passion of the Christ: Songs. A remix with John Legend of his song "So High" received a Grammy nomination. She also began selling a pay-per-view music video of the song "Social Drugs" through her website, along with autographed merchandise.
June 2005: Fugees Appearance at BET Awards
In June 2005, the Fugees appeared at the BET Awards, opening the show with a 12-minute set.
2005: Live 8 Benefit Concert Performance
In 2005, Lauryn Hill performed during the Live 8 benefit concert to raise awareness about global poverty.
2005: Statements about Music and MTV Unplugged 2.0
In 2005, Lauryn Hill stated that if she made music, it would only be to provide information to her children. She also reflected on the songs from 2.0, describing them as transitional and documenting both distress and joy.
2005: End of Fugees Reunion
In late 2005, the Fugees reunion tour in Europe ended due to old tensions resurfacing between Lauryn Hill and other members, preventing a new album from being recorded.
March 3, 2006: Release of Dave Chappelle's Block Party Film
On March 3, 2006, the Dave Chappelle's Block Party film, recorded in 2004, was released to universal acclaim, featuring the Fugees' performance.
June 2007: New Album and Soundtrack Release
In June 2007, Sony Records announced that Lauryn Hill had been recording and re-entered the studio to make a new album. Also in June 2007, Hill released a new song, "Lose Myself", on the soundtrack to the film Surf's Up.
2008: Claims of Hiatus and Public Appearance
In mid-2008, reports claimed that Columbia Records believed Lauryn Hill to be on hiatus, but Rohan Marley disputed these claims. One of Hill's few public appearances in 2008 was at a Martha Stewart book signing in New Jersey.
April 2009: European Summer Festivals Tour Announcement
In April 2009, it was reported that Lauryn Hill would embark on a 10-day tour of European summer festivals during mid-July. However, the tour faced challenges, with Hill performing only two shows, passing out on stage during her second performance, and ultimately leading to the cancellation of the entire tour due to unspecified health reasons.
January 2010: Return to Live Stage at Raggamuffin Music Festival
In January 2010, Lauryn Hill returned to the live stage, performing at the Raggamuffin Music Festival in New Zealand and Australia, marking a return to performing after a period of relative absence.
June 2010: Harmony Festival Performance
In June 2010, Lauryn Hill made her first live American performance in several years at the Harmony Festival in Santa Rosa, California.
August 2010: Performance of 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill' at Rock the Bells Festival
In August 2010, Lauryn Hill joined the Rock the Bells hip-hop festival series in the U.S. and performed her album 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill' in its entirety for the first time as part of that year's theme of rendering classic albums.
February 2012: Performance of New Song "Fearless Vampire Killer"
In February 2012, Lauryn Hill performed a new song titled "Fearless Vampire Killer" during a sold-out performance at the Warner Theater in Washington, D.C.
May 4, 2013: Release of "Neurotic Society (Compulsory Mix)"
On May 4, 2013, Lauryn Hill released her first official single in over a decade, "Neurotic Society (Compulsory Mix)". Hill said she was required to release the song immediately due to an impending legal deadline.
2014: Release of "Black Rage" and Amnesty International Benefit Concert
In 2014, Lauryn Hill released the song "Black Rage" to SoundCloud in protest of the killing of Michael Brown. She also performed at the Amnesty International 'Bringing Human Rights Home' benefit concert in New York, giving a rendition of "Black Rage".
2015: Billboard Ranked Hill as Seventh Greatest Rapper of All Time
In 2015, Billboard ranked Lauryn Hill as the seventh greatest rapper of all time on their "10 Best Rappers of All Time" list, and she was the only woman on the list.
2015: Canceled Show in Israel
In 2015, Lauryn Hill canceled a show in Israel following a social media campaign urging her to boycott Israel over its occupation of Palestinian land. She clarified that she doesn't take sides but believes in dignity for all.
2015: Contribution to 'What Happened, Miss Simone?' Soundtrack
In 2015, Lauryn Hill contributed her voice to the soundtrack for 'What Happened, Miss Simone?', a documentary about Nina Simone. She recorded six songs for the record and also served as a producer alongside Robert Glasper.
2015: Golden Note Award from ASCAP
In 2015, Lauryn Hill received the Golden Note Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), recognizing her successful music career as a songwriter and producer for other artists.
April 2016: Hosting and Headlining Diaspora Calling! Festival
In April 2016, Lauryn Hill hosted and headlined the inaugural Diaspora Calling! festival at the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, showcasing musicians and artists from around the African diaspora.
2017: Alexander Wang and Tory Burch Collections Inspired by Hill
In 2017, Alexander Wang's hip hop-based collection and Tory Burch's resort collection were both inspired by Lauryn Hill.
2018: A Star Is Born Remake Release
In 2018, the remake of A Star Is Born was released, with Lady Gaga in the role that Lauryn Hill had reportedly turned down previously.
November 27, 2019: Release of "Guarding the Gates" for 'Queen & Slim' Soundtrack
On November 27, 2019, Lauryn Hill recorded a studio version of her song, "Guarding the Gates", for the movie Queen & Slim, which appears on the album, Queen & Slim: The Soundtrack.
2019: Scholarships for Alpha Institute in Kingston, Jamaica
In 2019, Lauryn Hill, through her MLH Fund, provided 10 scholarships for the 2019–2020 academic year to students at Alpha Institute in Kingston, Jamaica.
2020: Scholarships for Alpha Institute in Kingston, Jamaica
In 2020, Lauryn Hill, through her MLH Fund, provided 10 scholarships for the 2019–2020 academic year to students at Alpha Institute in Kingston, Jamaica.
2021: Diamond certification and inclusion on greatest songs lists
In 2021, 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill' achieved Diamond certification by the RIAA, making Lauryn Hill the first female hip hop artist to receive this honor in the United States. Additionally, Rolling Stone included "Doo Wop (That Thing)" and the Fugees' "Killing Me Softly" on their 500 Greatest Songs list.
2022: Daniel Roseberry's Schiaparelli collection inspired by Hill
In 2022, Lauryn Hill was named among Daniel Roseberry's influences for the Spring/Summer Schiaparelli collection.
April 14, 2024: Coachella Performance and Fugees Reunion
On April 14, 2024, Lauryn Hill made her return to the stage at Coachella. Hill's son, YG Marley, was performing when Hill surprised the crowd by making an appearance. Hill performed several solo songs from her career, but was also reunited with former Fugees bandmate, Wyclef Jean, to perform numerous beloved hit songs.
2024: Singing on Warriors concept album
In 2024, Lauryn Hill sings on the concept album by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis, Warriors.
2024: Mini Fugees Reunion During Coachella Set
In 2024, Lauryn Hill was joined by Wyclef Jean for a mini Fugees reunion during her Coachella set, with her son YG Marley also performing.
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