On this day in 1998, Lauryn Hill released her debut album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
The album would go on to become one of the most sought after projects and remains a jewel in the hip-hop crown.
At the time of the album's release Hill was 23-years-old and pregnant by then-boyfriend Rohan Marley. The Miseducation came after multi-platinum success of The Score and a world tour with The Fugees.
The Huffington Post notes the New York Times called it "miraculous," Entertainment Weekly said it had "often-astonishing power," and The Village Voice labeled it "majestic."
Despite suggestions from Columbia Records, Hill opted to write and produce the project herself.
The album's first mainstream single "Doo Wop (That Thing)" secured Hill's spot as a force to be reckoned with in the hip-hop world, and music in general.
The Miseducation claimed the No. 1 in its first week and sold more than 1 million copies within the first month.
"Ex-Factor" was released as the album's second single. It has been rumored that the song was written about Fugees bandmate Wyclef Jean. The two reportedly had an affair while Jean was married.
"Everything is Everything" served as the third single from Miseducation and was certified gold. The track features a college-age John Legend, then known as John Stephens, playing piano.
Hill won five Grammys in 1999 thanks to The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, including the award for Album of the Year.
She also grabbed awards for Best New Artist, Best R&B Song, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Album.
She was the first female artist to collect five Grammys in one night. The Miseducation was Lauryn Hill's only studio release before her self-imposed exile.
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