Lauryn Hill is a highly acclaimed American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Widely regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time, she is celebrated for breaking barriers for women in the genre, pioneering melodic rap, and bringing neo soul to mainstream audiences. Hill's exceptional talent has earned her numerous accolades, including eight Grammy Awards, a place among NPR's 50 Great Voices, and recognition as one of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time by Rolling Stone. Her influence on music and her cultural impact solidify her legacy as a musical icon.
Lauryn Hill's older brother, Malaney Hill, was born in 1972.
Lauryn Noelle Hill was born on May 26, 1975.
In 1988, a young Lauryn Hill showcased her vocal talent on "It's Showtime at the Apollo," singing Smokey Robinson's "Who's Lovin' You."
Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, and Pras Michel formed the hip hop trio the Fugees in 1990.
Lauryn Hill began her acting career in 1991, appearing in the off-Broadway play "Club XII" and landing a recurring role in the soap opera "As the World Turns."
Lauryn Hill's acting career began in 1991 with a role in the soap opera "As the World Turns" and a performance in the off-Broadway play "Club XII" alongside MC Lyte.
In 1993, Lauryn Hill appeared in Steven Soderbergh's "King of the Hill" and graduated from Columbia High School.
Lauryn Hill garnered critical acclaim for her performance as Rita Louise Watson in the 1993 film "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit."
Lauryn Hill made a lasting impression with her performance in the 1993 film "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit," earning praise for her vocal and acting abilities.
The Fugees secured a record deal with Columbia/Ruffhouse Records in 1993, marking a turning point in their career.
The Fugees released their debut album, "Blunted on Reality," in 1994. Despite receiving mixed reviews, the album showcased their unique blend of genres.
The Fugees' second album, "The Score," released in 1996, became a critical and commercial triumph, topping charts worldwide and solidifying their place in music history.
The Fugees achieved mainstream success with their second album, "The Score," in 1996, which topped the Billboard 200 and earned Hill a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.
Rohan Marley produced a divorce document from 1996, refuting earlier reports that he had not been divorced from a previous marriage.
In the summer of 1996, Lauryn Hill met Rohan Marley, son of Bob Marley and a former University of Miami football player. Hill began a relationship with him while still involved with Wyclef Jean and became pregnant later that year.
In 2021, Pitchfork acknowledged Lauryn Hill's lasting influence on the music industry by including her in their list of the 200 most influential artists since 1996.
In 1996, Lauryn Hill founded the Refugee Project, a non-profit organization aimed at transforming the attitudes and behavior of at-risk urban youth. The project included initiatives such as Camp Hill and an annual Halloween haunted house in East Orange, as well as fundraising for Haitian refugees and clean water projects in Kenya and Uganda. Hill also staged a rap concert in Harlem to promote voter registration.
In 1996, Lauryn Hill addressed false rumors on "The Howard Stern Show" and pursued higher education at Columbia University, showcasing her commitment to both her career and personal growth.
On August 3, 1997, Lauryn Hill and Rohan Marley welcomed their first child, Zion David Marley. The couple lived in Hill's childhood home in South Orange.
In 1997, Lauryn Hill began recording her solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The title was inspired by Carter G. Woodson's book The Mis-Education of the Negro and the film and autobiographical novel The Education of Sonny Carson.
In 1997, Lauryn Hill made a cameo appearance in the film Hav Plenty.
In 1997, Lauryn Hill organized a benefit event for the Refugee Project, introducing a board of trustees that included notable figures such as Sean Combs, Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, and Spike Lee.
In 1997, Lauryn Hill wrote and produced 'A Rose Is Still a Rose', which became a late-in-career hit for Aretha Franklin.
The Fugees last performance before their hiatus took place in 1997, marking the beginning of a period of individual pursuits for the group members.
By June 1998, Lauryn Hill had completed recording her solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill at Tuff Gong Studios in Jamaica. The album featured contributions from artists such as D'Angelo, Carlos Santana, Mary J. Blige, and John Legend.
On August 25, 1998, Lauryn Hill released her solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The album received rave reviews and was praised for its blend of R&B, doo-wop, pop, hip-hop, and reggae genres.
In November 1998, Lauryn Hill was sued by the musical group New Ark for allegations of inadequate credit and compensation for their contributions to her album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill."
In November 1998, Lauryn Hill and Rohan Marley welcomed their second child, Selah Louise Marley. Hill expressed the challenges of being a young mother of two.
Lauryn Hill released her groundbreaking debut solo album, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill," in 1998. It received widespread critical acclaim, achieved diamond certification, and earned her five Grammy Awards.
In 1998, the first single from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, 'Doo Wop (That Thing)', debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Other charted singles from the album included 'Ex-Factor', 'Everything Is Everything', and 'To Zion'.
In 1998, Time magazine recognized Lauryn Hill's influence and impact on the music industry by declaring her the "Queen of Hip Hop."
In 1998, Lauryn Hill's album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill sold nearly 423,000 copies in its first week and topped the Billboard 200 for four weeks. It went on to sell about 10 million copies in the United States and 20 million copies worldwide.
In 1998, Lauryn Hill took on a small but significant role in the film Restaurant. Entertainment Weekly praised her portrayal of the protagonist's pregnant former girlfriend.
In 1998, Lauryn Hill released her critically acclaimed debut solo album, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill," an album that would go on to have a profound impact on the music industry and solidify her legacy as a musical icon.
In 1998, Lauryn Hill released her critically acclaimed debut album, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill".
In February 1999, Lauryn Hill received four awards at the 30th Annual NAACP Image Awards.
In May 1999, Lauryn Hill was named the youngest woman ever to be listed in Ebony magazine's 100+ Most Influential Black Americans and was also featured in People magazine's 50 Most Beautiful People list.
In June 1999, Lauryn Hill received an Essence Award. During her acceptance speech, she addressed criticisms of being a role model as a young, unwed mother of two.
Before the release of "Repercussions" in July 2010, Lauryn Hill's last appearance on the Billboard charts as a lead artist was in 1999. This gap marked a significant period of absence from the charts for the acclaimed artist.
During 1998 and 1999, Lauryn Hill earned $25 million from record sales and touring, largely due to the success of her album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
In 1999, Lauryn Hill became the first woman to be nominated in ten categories in a single year at the Grammy Awards. She won five awards, including Album of the Year, Best R&B Album, and Best New Artist. This achievement marked a significant mainstream acceptance of hip-hop.
In 1999, Lauryn Hill collaborated with the U.S. Federal government on an anti-drug campaign.
In 1999, Lauryn Hill graced the cover of Time magazine, the sole Black musician to do so during that decade. Her debut album, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill," achieved major success, pioneering the neo soul movement and becoming a best-seller in the genre.
In 1999, Lauryn Hill partnered with Levi's to create custom outfits for her Miseducation Tour, marking a significant moment for brand partnerships with Black musicians. She also partnered with Armani during this time, who designed multiple custom looks for her and sponsored her tour.
In 1999, Lauryn Hill's influence expanded as she graced the cover of "Time" magazine, received an NAACP President's Award, and collaborated with artists like Bob Marley, Mary J. Blige, and Santana.
In 1999, Lauryn Hill's influence on natural hair was widely recognized. Publications like PopSugar highlighted her role in popularizing dreadlocks, while Stylist emphasized her appearances in locs on the cover of Time and in People's "50 Most Beautiful People" list.
At the 41st Annual Grammy Awards in 1999, Lauryn Hill made history by winning five awards, including Album of the Year for "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill," the first hip hop album to achieve this honor. She also set records for the most nominations and wins by a female artist in a single night and became the first female rapper to win Best New Artist.
Billboard recognized Lauryn Hill's impact on the music industry in 1999, attributing the rise of female rappers to her success, a phenomenon they termed "The Lauryn Hill Effect."
On July 11, 2000, a Congressional hearing on the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign highlighted Lauryn Hill's ad as the most impactful among polled youth. The ad reportedly resonated with almost 95 percent of the respondents.
Throughout 2000, depositions for the lawsuit filed by New Ark against Lauryn Hill took place, highlighting the complexities of music collaboration and copyright.
Film director Gina Prince-Bythewood revealed that Lauryn Hill's song "Ex-Factor" and Hill herself served as inspirations during the making of her acclaimed 2000 film "Love & Basketball."
John Galliano, British fashion designer, chose Lauryn Hill as his muse for the Spring/Summer 2000 Dior collection. The collection, featuring models in dreadlocks and hoop earrings, introduced the iconic Dior 'Saddle Bag'.
In early 2000, Lauryn Hill was one of the producers to share the Grammy Award for Album of the Year for Santana's 1999 album Supernatural, where she had written, produced, and rapped on the track 'Do You Like the Way'.
In 2000, Lauryn Hill stepped back from the public eye due to the pressures of fame, opting for a more spiritual path and distancing herself from the music industry.
In February 2001, Lauryn Hill settled the lawsuit filed against her by New Ark out of court for a reported $5 million.
In July 2001, Lauryn Hill, while pregnant, performed new material during a taping of MTV Unplugged, showcasing a departure from her previous work.
Around 2001, Lauryn Hill and Rohan Marley welcomed their third child, Joshua Omaru Marley.
May 2002 marked the release of Lauryn Hill's "MTV Unplugged No. 2.0," a live album that received mixed reviews and marked a shift in her musical style.
In 2002, Lauryn Hill released "I Find It Hard to Say (Rebel)", a song reflecting on the killing of Amadou Diallo, as part of her "MTV Unplugged No. 2.0" album.
Lauryn Hill shut down her non-profit organization, the Refugee Project, in 2002, citing a lack of passion and feeling constrained by external obligations.
Lauryn Hill's live album, "MTV Unplugged No. 2.0," was released in 2002, showcasing her raw talent and introspective lyrics.
In December 2003, during a performance at the Vatican, Lauryn Hill openly condemned the Catholic Church for its handling of sexual abuse allegations, drawing criticism from religious groups.
In 2003, during a Christmas benefit concert at the Vatican, Lauryn Hill sparked controversy by speaking out against child sexual abuse by priests. Although the Pope was not present, her comments were edited out of the broadcast. Despite initial controversy, Hill's actions have since garnered praise.
Around 2003, Lauryn Hill and Rohan Marley went through a period of separation, with Hill moving out of their shared Miami residence.
After a hiatus, the Fugees reunited in September 2004 for a performance at Dave Chappelle's Block Party in Brooklyn, marking a significant moment for the group.
Lauryn Hill contributed the song "The Passion" to "The Passion of the Christ: Songs" in 2004. A remix of John Legend's "So High" featuring Hill received a Grammy nomination.
The Fugees made an appearance at the BET Awards in June 2005, delivering a 12-minute set that excited fans.
In 2005, Lauryn Hill shared her intention to focus on creating music for her children as a primary motivation.
In 2005, Lauryn Hill participated in the Live 8 benefit concert, which aimed to raise awareness about global poverty.
In 2005, The Fugees reunited for a European tour, which was unfortunately cut short due to resurfacing tensions between Hill and the other members, Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel. The reunion ended before a new album could be recorded.
The period during which Lauryn Hill was accused of failing to file taxes began in 2005, marking the start of a three-year period of alleged tax violations.
The film of Dave Chappelle's Block Party, featuring a reunion performance by the Fugees, was released on March 3, 2006, to critical acclaim.
In June 2007, Lauryn Hill released an album titled "Ms. Hill," featuring a compilation of tracks from "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill," soundtrack contributions, and other previously unreleased songs. The album included guest appearances from artists like D'Angelo, Rah Digga, and John Forté. The same month, Hill also released the single "Lose Myself" for the animated film "Surf's Up."
The period of alleged tax violations concluded in 2007, marking the end of a three-year period for which Lauryn Hill was accused of failing to file taxes.
By August 2008, Lauryn Hill had relocated to her hometown of South Orange, New Jersey, residing with her mother and children. While no longer living with Rohan Marley, the father of her five children, Hill addressed their relationship publicly, stating they had a "long and complex history."
In 2008, reports emerged suggesting Lauryn Hill was on hiatus from music. Rohan Marley, however, disputed these claims, stating that Hill was continuously writing music and had enough material for multiple albums. Despite Marley's assertions, Hill made few public appearances that year.
Lauryn Hill announced a 10-day European tour in April 2009, scheduled for that summer. However, after only two performances, the tour was abruptly canceled. Hill's cancellation followed a controversial incident where she fainted on stage during her second performance and subsequently refused to issue refunds to disgruntled fans.
Lauryn Hill marked her return to live performances in January 2010 with a series of shows across New Zealand and Australia as part of the Raggamuffin Music Festival.
An unofficial compilation album titled "Khulami Phase" was released in April 2010, featuring a collection of songs Lauryn Hill had performed and recorded over the previous six years. This compilation also included tracks from her "Ms. Hill" album.
Lauryn Hill made her first live American appearance in several years at the Harmony Festival in Santa Rosa, California, in June 2010.
In July 2010, the unreleased song "Repercussions" was leaked online, marking Lauryn Hill's first appearance on the Billboard charts as a lead artist since 1999. The song debuted at number 94 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and peaked at number 83 the following week.
Lauryn Hill joined the Rock the Bells hip-hop festival series in August 2010. As part of the festival's theme of performing classic albums, she performed her acclaimed album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" in its entirety for the first time. Following this performance, Hill continued to tour extensively, including performances at the 6th Annual Jazz in the Gardens in Miami Gardens, Florida, in December, the Coachella Valley Music Festival, New Orleans Jazz Fest, and a performance at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
In July 2011, Lauryn Hill gave birth to her sixth child, Micah. Micah is Hill's first child not fathered by Rohan Marley. The father's identity remains publicly unknown.
During a sold-out performance at the Warner Theater in Washington, D.C., in February 2012, Lauryn Hill debuted a new song titled "Fearless Vampire Killer."
In June 2012, Lauryn Hill was charged with three counts of tax fraud for failing to file taxes on $1.8 million of income earned between 2005 and 2007. The charges stemmed from her earnings as a musical artist, royalties from her records and film appearances, and income from multiple corporations she owned and managed.
Lauryn Hill appeared in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey in Newark in June 2012, where she pleaded guilty to three counts of tax fraud. Hill's attorney assured the court that she would fulfill her tax obligations.
Lauryn Hill's enduring impact on music was acknowledged in 2012 when VH1 included her in their esteemed list of the Greatest Women in Music.
By April 2013, despite promising to repay her back taxes, Lauryn Hill had only paid $50,000 of the $554,000 she owed. This lack of payment drew sharp criticism from U.S. Magistrate Judge Madeline Cox Arleo, who highlighted Hill's financial resources and emphasized the seriousness of the tax evasion charges.
On May 4, 2013, Lauryn Hill released "Neurotic Society (Compulsory Mix)", her first official single in over a decade. Hill revealed on her Tumblr that the release was expedited due to an "impending legal deadline." The song's lyrics, which some interpreted as linking societal decline to LGBT social movements, drew criticism. Hill clarified that the song was not targeted at any specific group but addressed those hiding behind neurotic behavior.
On May 6, 2013, Lauryn Hill was sentenced to three months in prison for tax evasion, followed by three months of house arrest and a year of supervised probation. Hill had failed to file taxes and owed nearly a million dollars in back taxes and penalties, which she had fully paid back by the time of her sentencing.
On July 8, 2013, Lauryn Hill reported to the Federal Correctional Institution, Danbury, to commence her three-month prison sentence for tax evasion.
On October 4, 2013, Lauryn Hill was released from prison a few days early due to good behavior. She then began her home confinement and probationary periods.
In November 2014, Lauryn Hill attracted media attention for appearing late twice on the same day for her sets at Voodoo Fest.
In 2014, Lauryn Hill's pioneering role in hip hop was celebrated by AllHipHop, which named her the most influential woman in the genre's history.
In 2014, Lauryn Hill released "Black Rage" on SoundCloud in response to the killing of Michael Brown. She also performed the song at Amnesty International's "Bringing Human Rights Home" concert in New York, showing solidarity with Pussy Riot.
In May 2015, Lauryn Hill canceled her scheduled concert near Tel Aviv, Israel, after a social media campaign by activists urging her to boycott the country due to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Hill stated she aimed to avoid misconstruing her presence or message and alienating fans from either side.
In 2015, Billboard ranked Lauryn Hill seventh on their "10 Best Rappers of All Time" list, making her the only woman to achieve this recognition.
In 2015, Lauryn Hill contributed her voice to the soundtrack of "What Happened, Miss Simone?", a documentary about Nina Simone's life. Initially slated to record two songs, Hill ended up recording six and co-producing the compilation alongside Robert Glasper.
In 2015, Lauryn Hill was recognized for her impact on the music industry as Billboard named her the greatest female rapper.
In 2015, Lauryn Hill's songwriting talents were recognized with the ASCAP Golden Note Award, highlighting her contributions to the music industry beyond her own performances.
In 2015, Vogue recognized Lauryn Hill as a prominent figure in 1990s hip hop fashion whose style continued to influence the 2010s. Her lasting impact on fashion was also acknowledged by CR Fashion Book and Complex, solidifying her status as a style icon.
In 2015, following the cancellation of her show in Israel, Lauryn Hill clarified that she doesn't take sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but advocates for "dignity for all sides."
In April 2016, Lauryn Hill hosted and headlined the inaugural Diaspora Calling! festival at the Kings Theatre in Brooklyn. The festival aimed to showcase musicians and artists from the African diaspora.
In 2016, Lauryn Hill released an updated version of her 2002 song "I Find It Hard to Say (Rebel)" titled "Rebel", addressing police brutality. The song was released exclusively on Tidal and performed at the Tidal X 1015 charity concert.
Frank Ocean, known for his eclectic musical style, sampled Lauryn Hill's vocals from her live album "MTV Unplugged No. 2.0" on his 2016 album "Endless," specifically on the track "Rushes" featuring Jazmine Sullivan.
In 2017, Lauryn Hill's influence continued to resonate in the fashion world. Both Alexander Wang's hip hop-inspired collection and Tory Burch's resort collection drew inspiration from her unique style.
In 2017, NPR rated The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill as the second-best album of all time created by a woman.
During her acceptance speech at the 2018 Grammy Awards, Spanish singer Rosalía expressed gratitude to Lauryn Hill, acknowledging her as a significant influence on her musical journey.
In a 2018 interview, Lizzo, known for her unique blend of rapping and singing, cited Lauryn Hill as a significant inspiration for her musical style, acknowledging Hill's influence on her debut album.
Lauryn Hill's musical influence continued to resonate in 2018 as her music was widely sampled by prominent artists. Drake's "Nice for What" and Cardi B's "Be Careful" both incorporated elements from her song "Ex-Factor," while A$AP Rocky and Frank Ocean's "Purity" sampled "I Gotta Find Peace of Mind."
On November 27, 2019, Lauryn Hill's studio version of "Guarding the Gates" was released as part of the "Queen & Slim: The Soundtrack".
In the 2019–2020 academic year, Lauryn Hill, through her MLH Fund, provided 10 scholarships to students at the Alpha Institute in Kingston, Jamaica.
Lauryn Hill's enduring popularity and influence were evident in 2019 when she secured the top spot in a Ranker poll, solidifying her position as the greatest singer/rapper.
In 2020, Rolling Stone further solidified the legacy of "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" by placing it at number 10 on their "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list. This recognition highlighted the album's enduring impact and influence.
In the 2019-2020 academic year, Lauryn Hill's scholarships, funded through her MLH Fund, made an impact on the lives of students at the Alpha Institute in Kingston, Jamaica.
Nicki Minaj, on her 2020 hit single "Say So Remix," paid tribute to Lauryn Hill's influence on her career, further cementing Hill's status as a hip-hop icon.
Virgil Abloh, for his Men's Spring/Summer 2021 Louis Vuitton collection, cited Lauryn Hill as his "forever muse." After his passing, Hill performed at his memorial service, highlighting their mutual respect and her enduring impact.
In 2021, Lauryn Hill's "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" reached a new milestone by achieving Diamond certification from the RIAA. This made Hill the first female hip hop artist to receive this honor in the US, solidifying her place in music history.
In 2021, Lauryn Hill's legacy was further cemented when she became one of the inaugural nominees for the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame, a testament to her lasting impact on the music industry.
In 2022, Lauryn Hill was officially inducted into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame, solidifying her place as a pioneering figure in music history.
Lauryn Hill's influence was felt in the Spring/Summer 2022 fashion season. Daniel Roseberry named her as an inspiration for the Schiaparelli collection, while designers like Esteban Cortazar, Kerby Jean-Raymond, Humberto Leon, and Demna Gvasalia also acknowledged her impact.
In 2023, Lauryn Hill co-wrote the single "Praise Jah in the Moonlight" with her son, YG Marley.
In 2023, Rolling Stone recognized Lauryn Hill's exceptional vocal abilities by placing her at number 136 on their list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.
In 2024, Lauryn Hill's iconic single "Doo Wop (That Thing)" was chosen for induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame, adding another prestigious accolade to her career.
In a surprise appearance, Lauryn Hill joined her son, YG Marley, on stage at Coachella 2024. Hill performed solo songs and reunited with former Fugees bandmate Wyclef Jean for a selection of their hit songs.
On April 15, 2024, Lauryn Hill made a surprise appearance during her son YG Marley's set at Coachella, where she reunited with fellow Fugees member Wyclef Jean for a mini Fugees reunion, thrilling fans.