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Russia D. Moore
Professor Witherspoon
English 102.01
November 6, 2014

The Change of a Generation

Lauryn Noelle Hill was born May 26, 1975 in South Orange, New Jersey to Valerie and
Mal Hill. At the age of thirteen, Lauryn Hill performed at the famous Harlem Apollo Theater
(Lauryn Noelle Hill). While there she met Prakazrel "Pras" Michel and his cousin, Wyclef Jean.
Soon after meeting, they decided to form a hip-hop, soul, and R&B group called Tranzlator
Crew later became known as the group we know today as the Fugees (Lauryn Noelle Hill); with
Lauren being the lead vocalist (Lauryn Noelle Hill). She is the first woman to win five Grammy
Awards in 1999. For album of the year, best new artist, best female R&B performance, best
song, and best R&B album (Lauryn Noelle Hill). Even though she has not released an album
since 1998 her songs are still among the top 150 songs downloaded on iTunes (Apple). She has
changed the world of R&B and hip-hop for generations to come; by her ability to overcome
obstacles in her life, her style of clothing, and her stage performance.
Besides Hill having a singing career when she was young, she did a little acting. As a
sophomore in high school, she landed a role in the soap opera As the World Turns soon
afterwards; she landed a supporting role in the Whoopi Goldberg movie Sister Act II: Back in the
Habit (Lauryn Noelle Hill). Instead of following up on acting, she went to college at Columbia

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University (Lauryn Noelle Hill) where she studied for a year, then started to pursuing her
performance career. The Fugees released their first album Blunted on Reality in 1994 and three
years later they released The Score in 1996 which sold 17 million copies that featured the single
Killing Me softly (Lauryn Noelle Hill). This made the Fugees the highest selling rap group of all
time and received two Grammy awards (Lauryn Noelle Hill). After this album the Fugees didnt
stay together but reunited for live performances and then released a greatest hits album in
2003(Lauryn Noelle Hill). The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was her first solo album in 1998 that
sold over 12 million copies which got her the five Grammy, three American Music Awards, Soul
Train Award and MTV Music Award. Although she has won many awards been a part of
different youth camps and helping others (Lauryn Noelle Hill); in 2013 she was sentenced to
three months in prison for not paying almost 1 million dollars in federal taxes; but in 2012 she
pled guilty to tax-evasion charges; I needed to be able to earn so I could pay my taxes without
compromising the health and welfare of my children, and I was being denied that, she said
(Lauryn Noelle Hill). Most single mothers, and many others can understand where she is coming
from because she has six children; five by Rohan Marley (Bob Marleys son) three boys and two
girls and a son by Micah and she had to do what she had to because of them and no mother
would want their children to suffer because of what the parents has done. And after being
released she released a new song Consumerism (Lauryn Hill Released from Jail, Celebrates with
New Song) and she is supposedly working on a new album (Moses).
The style that she possesses is evolutionary and I love it. The way she can express herself
just through clothing is phenomenal. Today the way people can take bits and pieces of her
clothing style to make it their own master piece. This shows that a woman doesnt have to show
every little aspect of her body to be seen as beautiful and seen as worthy. She can go from a 70s

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retro look and make it so popular among young people like myself today that no one would ever
suspect that it came from the 70s. She is an icon to every woman that hears, sees, or comes in
contact with. She is an inspiration to me because knowing at a young age, I thought that a
woman had to show off your body to get anyone to like you or even look your way; and when I
started to listen to her she states you are beautiful and you are loved from her single That
Thing.
As a performer, Lauryn Hill makes everyone else seem as if they are beginners. Who else
can go on a MTVs Unplugged and perform almost an two hour acoustic performance in a studio
in Times Square and sing songs from the top of your head and make them in to something
magical. I have never seen nor heard Beyonc or Rhianna do anything close to what she does.
Personally Lauryn Hill is the best live performer ever; I dont know anyone yet who can compare
to the level that she is on. The way she interacts with her audience and makes them a part of her
show, shows them that she really loves and appreciate them for having her back through all of
the trials and tribulations that she has been through. She can really stand the test of time because
she can go anywhere and where she performs it would be sold out from young and old people
waiting to hear Lauryns unique voice. People will always look back and say I want to be a
performer like her.
Lauryn Hill is a revolutionary icon and is extremely influential to music today. She has
worked hard to establish a name for herself as she has gracefully landed on Billiards Top 100
numerous times. Many people can relate to Lauryn Hills music because her music is outstanding
and uplifting. To this day no one has had an flourishing career like Ms. Hill or a stage presence
like no other. Lauryn Hill would go down in history as one of the queens of R&B and Hip-Hop.

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Works Cited
"Apple - Press Info - ITunes Music Store Downloads Top 150 Million Songs." Apple - Press Info
- ITunes Music Store Downloads Top 150 Million Songs. Apple Inc., 14 Oct. 2014. Web.
06 Nov. 2014.
"Lauryn Hill Released from Jail, Celebrates with New Song." NY Daily News. N.p., 4 Oct. 2013.
Web. 07 Nov. 2014.
"Lauryn Noelle Hill." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2014. Web. 06 Nov. 2014.
Moses, Najwa. "Lauryn Hill Style." MommyNoire. N.p., 9 Mar. 2014. Web. 07 Nov. 2014.