The first time I heard Lauryn Hill perform was when I was about six years old. She was a member of the New Jersey Hip Hop group, The Fugees. I was instantly enchanted with her voice, assuredness and swagger. Here was a woman holding her own with two men, and exceeding way past what anyone could have imagined possible. The Score by the Fugees was a major success.
Hill would go on to go solo and create and write her own album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. This album was released in 1998. I was only nine years old, but this album has meant so much to me for decades since then. I would argue that many people feel the same way. The album covers heart break, motherhood, Black consciousness love, and spirituality. It has quite literally transcended time. People love it today the same way they did 25 years ago.
I have been lucky enough to see Hill perform three times in my lifetime. However, this last time, just two weeks ago, was special. The show opened with a classroom and a teacher on the screen behind the stage. This mimicked the album, meant to be an examination of love with a teacher discussing the concept with students. In the opening of the show, the teacher called out names. He got to Hill—repeating it a couple of times. And then she appeared on stage.
It was breathtaking. I loved how she incorporated so much of the album into her show. She performed all her classics, “To Zion,” “Lost Ones,” “Everything is Everything,” “I Used to Love Him” and more. The scenery of the show was powerful as well. It made me proud, displaying pro-Black visuals throughout the show and quotes from Black leaders.
When she was done with her set, she brought out The Fugees. It was beautiful to see them on stage together. They have been known to conflict with each other for years. At the end of the show, they stood together, arm in arm. Hill spoke of forgiveness and reconciliation.
The entire show left me invigorated and joyful. Proud and on quite the high, Hill has faced many troubles in her life, but she keeps persevering. She stands up in the ring every time. I can relate to that, I have experienced things that have knocked me down, too. We all have. But Hill is steadfast, a fighter and gifted.
I am so happy to have been able to witness her genius, if only for a couple of hours. She deserves her flowers. She is a queen. And it was the best show I have ever seen.