Lauryn Hill Reveals Why She Never Released Another Album After ‘Miseducation’: “politics, repressing agendas, unrealistic expectations, and saboteurs EVERYWHERE”

Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill Reveals Why She Never Released Another Album After ‘Miseducation’: “politics, repressing agendas, unrealistic expectations, and saboteurs EVERYWHERE”

It’s been 23 years since Lauryn Hill released her debut album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, and fans still want to know why she never released a sophomore album to follow the huge success. ‘Miseducation’ won multiple awards, was praised by fans worldwide and was considered one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. After years of speculation, fans are finally getting the answer from the legend herself!

During a recent interview, the 46-year-old rap icon opens up and reveals what was going on behind the scenes amid the huge success.

“With The Miseducation, there was no precedent. I was, for the most part, free to explore, experiment, and express. After The Miseducation, there were scores of tentacled obstructionists, politics, repressing agendas, unrealistic expectations, and saboteurs EVERYWHERE.”

Lauryn continued,

“People had included me in their own narratives of their successes as it pertained to my album, and if this contradicted my experience, I was considered an enemy.”

Lauryn Hill later reflected on her late work and how it mirrors a lot of the conversations and debates that are had today, noting she was “ahead” of her time.

“I wrote an album about systemic racism and how it represses and stunts growth and harms (all of my albums have probably addressed systemic racism to some degree), before this was something this generation openly talked about. I was called crazy. Now…over a decade later, we hear this as part of the mainstream chorus. Ok, so chalk some of it up to leadership and how that works — I was clearly ahead, but you also have to acknowledge the blatant denial that went down with that.”

Despite the lack of support and understanding of her vision, Lauryn Hill still acknowledged the profound impact her debut album had.

“I also think the album stood apart from the types and cliches that were supposed to be acceptable at that time. I challenged the norm and introduced a new standard. I believe The Miseducation did that and I believe I still do this — defy convention when the convention is questionable.”

Shortly after taking a break from the hip hop group The Fugees– which consists of Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel–Lauryn Hill released The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill in August 1998. The album opened at No. 1 in its first week, becoming the first album by a solo female rapper to peak and debut at number one in the US.  The following year, received 10 GRAMMY nominations and 5 wins including Album of the Year and Best R&B Album. Her chart-topping single, “Doo Wop (That Thing)” won Best Female R&B Performance and Best R&B Song. Hill was also named Best New Artist that same year.

What are your thoughts on why Lauryn Hill never released a second album? Let us know in the comments below!

[Source: 1, 2]