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. Celebrated for her impact on music, she broke barriers for female rappers, contributing to the mainstream success of hip-hop and neo soul by blending rap with melodic vocals. Recognized by NPR and Rolling Stone for her vocal talent, Billboard named her the greatest female rapper. Hill's accolades include eight Grammy Awards, the most for any female rapper.
1996: The Score's Success
In 1996, The Fugees' album "The Score" topped the Billboard 200, making Lauryn Hill the first woman to win a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.
1996: The Score's Success and Grammy Win
In 1996, The Fugees' second album, "The Score", peaked at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and later won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.
1996: Named One of the Most Influential Artists Since 1996
Pitchfork named Lauryn Hill as one of the 200 most influential artists since 1996. This recognized her lasting influence on music and culture since 1996.
August 25, 1998: Release of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
On August 25, 1998, Lauryn Hill's album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" was released, receiving rave reviews from contemporary music critics.
1998: Success of 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill'
During 1998 and 1999, Hill earned millions from record sales and touring.
1998: Release of "Doo Wop (That Thing)"
In 1998, Lauryn Hill released "Doo Wop (That Thing)", which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
1998: Release of 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill'
In 1998, Lauryn Hill released her debut solo album, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill", which opened at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and received widespread critical acclaim.
1998: Time Declares Lauryn Hill "Queen of Hip Hop"
In 1998, Time declared Lauryn Hill as the "Queen of Hip Hop", solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the music industry.
February 1999: NAACP Image Awards
In February 1999, Lauryn Hill received four awards at the 30th Annual NAACP Image Awards.
May 1999: Recognition as Influential Black American
In May 1999, Lauryn Hill was named the youngest woman ever to 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 Criticism
In June 1999, Lauryn Hill received an Essence Award, but her acceptance speech drew criticism from the public, who thought she was not a good role model as a young, unwed mother of two.
1999: Success of 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill'
During 1998 and 1999, Hill earned millions from record sales and touring.
1999: Grammy Nominations and Wins
In 1999, Lauryn Hill became the first woman to be nominated in ten categories in a single year at the Grammy Awards. She also became 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: Time Magazine Cover
In 1999, Lauryn Hill was featured on the cover of Time magazine. She was the only Black musician to achieve this in that decade, marking a significant career milestone.
1999: Named One of People's 50 Most Beautiful People
In 1999, Lauryn Hill was named one of People's 50 Most Beautiful People and was on the cover of Time magazine.
1999: Billboard Chart Appearance
Lauryn Hill last appeared on the Billboard charts as a lead artist in 1999 prior to the release of Repercussions in 2010.
2000: Grammy Award for Santana's Supernatural
In early 2000, Lauryn Hill shared the Grammy Award for Album of the Year for Santana's 1999 album Supernatural, whereon she wrote, 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".
2004: Contribution to The Passion of the Christ: Songs
In 2004, Lauryn Hill contributed a new song, "The Passion", to The Passion of the Christ: Songs. A remix version of "So High" received a Grammy nomination.
July 2010: "Repercussions" Chart Debut
In late July 2010, an unreleased song by Lauryn Hill called "Repercussions" was leaked online and debuted at No. 94 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, marking her first Billboard chart appearance as a lead artist since 1999.
2012: VH1 Ranks Hill Among Greatest Women in Music
In 2012, VH1 recognized Lauryn Hill's significant contribution to music by ranking her as one of the Greatest Women in Music.
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.
2014: Named Most Influential Woman in Hip Hop
In 2014, AllHipHop named Lauryn Hill as the most influential woman in hip hop history, recognizing her impact on the genre.
2015: Named Greatest Female Rapper by Billboard
In 2015, Billboard named Lauryn Hill the greatest female rapper, recognizing her impact and contributions to the music industry.
2015: Billboard Ranks Hill Among Greatest Rappers
In 2015, Billboard ranked Lauryn Hill as the seventh greatest rapper of all time on their "10 Best Rappers of All Time" list, recognizing her as the only woman on the list.
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 and contributions as a songwriter and producer.
2017: NPR's Ranking of the Miseducation
In 2017, NPR rated the album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill as the second-best album of all time created by a woman.
2019: Ranker Poll of Greatest Singer/Rappers
In 2019, Lauryn Hill ranked No. 1 on the Ranker poll of the greatest singer/rappers, highlighting her unique talent and influence.
2020: Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
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, underscoring its enduring legacy.
2021: Nomination for Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame
In 2021, Lauryn Hill was among the inaugural nominees for the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame.
2021: Named One of the Most Influential Artists Since 1996
In 2021, Pitchfork named Lauryn Hill as one of the 200 most influential artists since 1996, recognizing her lasting impact on music and culture.
2021: Diamond Certification and Rolling Stone Recognition
In 2021, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill achieved Diamond certification by the RIAA, making Hill the first female hip hop artist to receive this honor in the U.S. Also in 2021, Rolling Stone included "Doo Wop (That Thing)" and the Fugees' "Killing Me Softly" in their revised list of the 500 Greatest Songs.
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, honoring her contributions to music and culture.
2023: Rolling Stone's List of Greatest Singers
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.
2024: Grammy Hall of Fame Induction and Apple Music Recognition
In 2024, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was selected for induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame by The Recording Academy. Additionally, in 2024, Apple Music featured it as the number one album on their list of the 100 best albums.