Lauryn Hill Reflects On Creating "The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill"

Ms. Hill reminisces on recording her 1998 solo debut.

As one of the headliners for this year’s Rock the Bells 2011 Festival, Ms. Lauryn Hill is treating crowds to a full performance of her classic solo debut The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. In an interview with Reebok Classics, the former Fugee reminisced on the album’s impact and what it meant to pour herself into her music.

“I think we understood that it was going to be landmark, but I didn’t understand to what degree other people would be really impacted by what was done,” she said. “I was really trying to express myself. Like I say all the time, I make music not necessarily for selfish reasons, but I make the music that I want to hear. And when you find out that other people want to hear that too, how could you not be excited about that?”

She explains that the music allowed her to grow into her artistic shoes, and that she was able to execute ideas that channeled a nostalgic sentiment.

“If anything, it was just about learning how to trust my individual voice. I had some very strong ideas, and I felt very strong about those ideas. I was excited, and once the momentum started going in a certain direction, it was just a matter of working out the kinks and continuing to do it. I think for me, I was excited about taking this music that I thought was beautiful, old school doo-wop music, cats used to harmonize and the beautiful harmonies and melodies and just taking that and making something contemporary that my generation could get excited about.”

(hiphopdx)