Everything Is Everything: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill at 25

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BBC Radio 4 - Everything Is Everything: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill at 25

Laura Mvula reflects on the impact of Lauryn Hill’s debut album 25 years after its release

Singer and songwriter Laura Mvula takes a very personal look at Lauryn Hill’s debut album, reflecting on the impact it has had on her and others since it was released 25 years ago.

There are lots of reasons to celebrate Lauryn Hill’s debut solo album on its 25th anniversary.  The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was critically acclaimed, sold millions of copies worldwide - 10 million in the US alone - and won 5 Grammy Awards, making Ms Hill the first woman to win that many Grammys in a single night.  But as well as breaking records and being one of the best-selling albums of all time, it has had a profound influence on music artists, and others, since its release in 1998.

Award-winning singer and songwriter Laura Mvula is one of those artists.  Like many other 21st century music stars including Beyonce, Adele and Janelle Monae, Laura cites The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill as a major influence.  

In this programme, Laura takes a very personal look at Lauryn Hill’s debut album.  From buying it as a teenager in Birmingham, through her career in music and to the present day, Laura reflects on the impact it has had on her, both personally and as an artist. 

As well as the album’s hit singles Doo Wop (That Thing), Ex-Factor and Everything Is Everything, Laura digs into some of her personal favourite tracks and the album’s interludes.  Laura discusses the themes, meanings and feminist readings of Lauryn Hill’s music with experts and scholars including professors Lauren Leigh Kelly and Alexis McGee.  

She chats to her friend and fellow musician and performer Lianne La Havas about the album’s influence.   Laura also hears from composer, producer and DJ Afrodeutsche and music journalist Jasmine Dotiwala as she builds a deeper understanding of how and why ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ has been such a powerful force in music, culture and Laura’s own life.


Dr. Lauren Leigh Kelly is Associate Professor of Urban Social Justice Teacher Education at Rutgers University in New Jersey.  She is a contributor to the book Celebrating Twenty Years of Black Girlhood: The Lauryn Hill Reader.

Susana Morris is Associate Professor of Literature, Media and Communication at the Georgia Institute for Technology in Atlanta, Georgia.

Alexis McGee is Assistant Professor of Research in the school of Journalism, Writing and Media Studies at the University of British Columbia.  She is also a contributor to the book Celebrating Twenty Years of Black Girlhood: The Lauryn Hill Reader.


Presenter: Laura Mvula
Producer: Lorna Skingley

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