Lauryn Hill was born in New Jersey and developed an interest in music from an early age. According to an Achievement interview from 2000, she began her professional singing and acting career in her early teens. She credited her interest in music to her parents, saying:
"My parents had a love for music. There were so many records, so much music constantly being played."
In high school, she met her future bandmates and went on to form the Fugees. Lauryn also collaborated with the hip-hop band Refugee Camp All-Stars. They released a track called The Sweetest Thing in 1997. Lauryn went on to build a gigantic career, becoming one of the first female rappers to win a Grammy. She marked a vital entry point for women in the rap industry.
All about Lauryn Hill's first song, featuring Refugee Camp All-Stars
The Fugees released their first album, Blunted on Reality, in 1994. Although the album received positive feedback, it did not create a major presence in the music industry. Their second album, The Score, released in 1996, became an immediate sensation. The album established Lauryn and her bandmates as major acts in the reggae and R&B scenes.
Lauryn's vocals, in particular, caught everyone's attention. She was invited to collaborate with the hip-hop duo, Refugee Camp All-Stars, which included rappers John Forte and Canibus. They released the song The Sweetest Thing, which was featured on the soundtrack of the 1997 film Love Jones. Although Refugee Camp All-Stars discontinued making music after 1997, The Sweetest Thing received positive feedback from fans.
Lauryn continued to produce music while remaining humble about her evolution. In a 2000 interview with Achievement, Lauryn talked about her "dream." She said:
"God showed me I can sing songs about love. I can sing songs about me, and there are people that enjoy those songs."
She added:
"But when they’re desperately, desperately in need of help, what will my music do? How will it help them? Will it redeem them? Will it save them? Will it fight that battle for them? It’s just a song."
More recently, American musician and keyboardist of pop band Maroon 5, PJ Morton, released his rendition of The Sweetest Thing. In May 2023, he shared a video of his version of The Sweetest Thing on YouTube.
His rendition featured background vocalists and a horn section. PJ brings up the Jazz as he sings the old classic and plays his piano.
Lauryn Hill's music career began early, as she was fascinated with music from her teenage years. In a 2000 interview with Achievement, Lauryn revealed that she would spend hours listening to music records in her room. Lauryn's hip-hop band, the Fugees, established reggae and old-school rap as influential genres.
Lauryn Hill is celebrating her music legacy with the 25th anniversary of her album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. She commenced a tour on August 9, 2024, with Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel to honor her album.