Lauryn Hill's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Lauryn Hill. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

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)".

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1996: Pitchfork Named Her as One of the 200 Most Influential Artists Since 1996

In 2021, Pitchfork named Lauryn Hill as one of the 200 most influential artists since 1996, highlighting her impact and enduring influence on music.

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: 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: 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".

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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.

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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: 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.

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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.

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: 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.

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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.

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2012: VH1 Ranked Hill as One of the Greatest Woman in Music

In 2012, VH1 ranked Lauryn Hill as one of the Greatest Women in Music, recognizing her contributions and impact on the music industry.

October 4, 2013: Release from Prison

On October 4, 2013, Lauryn Hill was released from prison a few days early for good behavior and began her home confinement and probationary periods. She also released a single called "Consumerism" that she had finished while incarcerated.

2014: Named Most Influential Woman in Hip Hop History by AllHipHop

In 2014, Lauryn Hill was named the most influential woman in hip hop history by AllHipHop, highlighting her significant impact on the genre.

2015: Named Greatest Female Rapper by Billboard

In 2015, Billboard named Lauryn Hill the greatest female rapper, solidifying her impact and influence on the music industry.

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.

2017: NPR rates the album as the second-best album of all time created by a woman

In 2017, NPR rated "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" as the second-best album of all time created by a woman, highlighting its lasting impact and significance.

2018: Rosalía Thanked Her for Being Influential

During her 2018 Grammy award acceptance speech, Spanish singer Rosalía thanked Lauryn Hill for being influential to her.

2019: Ranked No. 1 on Ranker poll of the greatest singer/rappers

In 2019, Lauryn Hill ranked No. 1 on the Ranker poll of the greatest singer/rappers, solidifying her versatile talent and influence.

2020: 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill' ranked among greatest albums

In 2020, Rolling Stone listed 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill' as the 10th-Greatest Album of All Time on their 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list, acknowledging its lasting impact and critical acclaim.

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.

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2021: Nomination for Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame

In 2021, Lauryn Hill was among the first nominees for the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame, marking a significant recognition of her contributions to music and entertainment.

2021: Pitchfork Named Her as One of the 200 Most Influential Artists Since 1996

In 2021, Pitchfork named Lauryn Hill as one of the 200 most influential artists since 1996, highlighting her impact and enduring influence on music.

2022: Induction into Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame

In 2022, Lauryn Hill was inducted into the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame, solidifying her legacy and impact on the music industry and culture.

2023: Rolling Stone Ranked Hill at number 136 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time

In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked Lauryn Hill at number 136 on its list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time, acknowledging her vocal talent and impact on music.

2024: Induction into Grammy Hall of Fame and Apple Music's best albums list

In 2024, 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill' was selected for induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame by The Recording Academy. Additionally, Apple Music featured it as the number one album on their 2024 list of the 100 best albums.