Lauryn Hill’s “The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill” Goes Diamond

Lauryn Hill‘s legendary debut studio album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” has officially been certified diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), more than 20 years after its release.

The singer’s 1998 debut album has sold over 10,000,000 units. This means Ms. Hill is the first female rapper to have a diamond album!

Making History

“Welcome to the RIAA Diamond Club @MsLaurynHill! #TheMiseducationofLaurynHill is now a (10X) certified album,” the RIAA tweeted in confirmation. This makes the 45-year-old artist the first female rapper to ever sell 10,000,000 units, joining the likes of MC Hammer, OutKast, Eminem, The Notorious B.I.G. and 2Pac. Other artists’ diamond albums include Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”, Adele’s “21”, Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time” and more.

‘The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill” shot the singer on the trajectory toward mainstream success. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and sold 422,624 copies within its first week, breaking the previous record for first-week sales by a female artist.

Lauryn Hill posted on her Instagram saying it is “Pretty wonderful to know that this album continues to bring happiness to people.” 

Hill also made history at the 41st Annual Grammy Awards, after being nominated for 10 awards and earning five trophies, including Album of the Year, Best R&B Album and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for “Doo Wop (That Thing).” At the time, no other female artist had ever received that many nominations and awards in a single night.

What Happened After “Miseducation”?

The album was what should have been the beginning of a prolific solo career, but Lauryn Hill never released a follow-up album. “The wild thing is no one from my label has ever called me and asked how can we help you make another album, EVER…EVER. Did I say ever? Ever!” Hill said in an interview with a reputed magazine.

“With “The Miseducation”, there was no precedent. I was, for the most part, free to explore, experiment, and express. After “The Miseducation”, there were scores of tentacled obstructionists, politics, repressing agendas, unrealistic expectations, and saboteurs EVERYWHERE. People had included me in their own narratives of their successes as it pertained to my album, and if this contradicted my experience, I was considered an enemy.”

She continued: “I think my intention was simply to make something that made my foremothers and forefathers in music and social and political struggle know that someone received what they’d sacrificed to give us, and to let my peers know that we could walk in that truth, proudly and confidently. At that time, I felt like it was a duty or responsibility to do so. … I challenged the norm and introduced a new standard. I believe The Miseducation did that and I believe I still do this—defy convention when the convention is questionable.”

By: Anjana Sathyanarayan