"The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill" Named Best Rap Album Ever By Rolling Stone

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Lauryn Hill, Rolling Stone, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
As expected, the title caused a debate online as music fans argued over the publication's "Top Albums" list.

It's certainly an accomplishment to be an artist whose only studio album is named the best rap record of all time. Rolling Stone sparked quite the discussion on Tuesday (September 22) after they dropped their list for the 500 greatest albums list. They first began the tradition way back in 2003 so the publication decided to give their massive undertaking an update, and the title they gave Lauryn Hill launched a coversation about rap albums throughout history.

“You should be able to play an album the 101st time and find something new,” said the outlet's reviews editor, Jon Dolan. “I was shocked listening to The Velvet Underground & Nico. I thought, ‘This really holds up.’ And that’s what’s incredible — to find the music that’s part of a conversation that goes on your whole life.”

Aside from the full list itself, Rolling Stone also named their top five rap albums of all time. In reverse order, the list includes Biggie's Ready to Die, Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp a Butterfly, Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Public Enemy's It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, and in the top spot, Lauryn Hill's The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

"Each song was driven by a clarity of vision and personal honesty that felt revelatory," RS wrote about Hill's debut project. "At a time when pop was becoming increasingly slick and digitized in the go-go Nineties, here was an album that showed the commercial appeal of a rawer sound." Hill's crowning was met with an onslaught of reactions, including those who said Miseducation was more R&B than rap, so check out a few below and let us know if Rolling Stone got it right with their top five.

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.