More than 20 years have passed since the release of Lauryn Hill's iconic solo debut album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. It was announced this week that the album has now earned a diamond certification from the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). This means that the album has sold more than 10 million units since its release in 1998.
Welcome to the RIAA Diamond Club @MsLaurynHill! #TheMiseducationofLaurynHill is now a 💎 (10X) certified album! @ColumbiaRecords #BlackHistoryMonth #RIAATopCertified pic.twitter.com/mWWByv74kp
— RIAA (@RIAA) February 17, 2021
It is quite the accomplishment because in the history of rap there are only 7 other albums with this certification.
- Outkast Speakerbox/ The Love Below
- 2Pac All Eyez On Me
- Eminem The Marshal Mathers LP
- Notorious BIG Life After Death
- Eminem The Eminem Show
- 2Pac Greatest Hits
- MC Hammer Please Hammer Don't Hurt Em
Recently Hill spoke out about why there was never a follow up to the critically acclaimed project.
“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. “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.”
Listen to the greatness of Lauryn Hill and other icons in Hip Hop on our All Stars playlist.
