Controversy over Hill’s ‘Miseducation’?
Lauryn Hill’s 1998 album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” has been hailed as one of the best albums of all time.
Rolling Stone ranked it as the fifth-best album of the 1990s, and it landed at No. 2 on NPR’s list of 150 greatest albums by women.
The groundbreaking album, which turns 20 years old this month, earned Hill five Grammys, including album of the year and best new artist.
“When someone asks you, ‘What is hip-hop soul?’ play them The Miseducation,” raved Rolling Stone.
But it turns out the praise isn’t universal. According to Robert Glasper, Hill wasn’t responsible for all the music in “Miseducation,” as reported by hiphopdx.com. During an interview with a Houston radio station earlier thisweek, the jazz and R&B pianist alleged Hill stole music from other musicians, including some that Glasper said are his friends.
“You can’t come into a situation, especially when you’ve already stolen all of my friend’s music,” Glasper said during the interview. “‘Miseducation’ was made by great musicians and producers that I know personally. I went into it knowing ‘OK, you steal music.'”
The eclectic Hill, a former member of the Fugees, has yet to follow up “Miseducation” with a second studio album.
“The one thing you did that was great, you didn’t do,” Glasper said, according to Vibe.
Grammy- and Emmyaward winner Glasper didn’t have kind words for Hill, who over the years has picked up a reputation of being unprofessional. She has been known to show up hours late to her shows.
Glasper said he was once hired to back Hill on a onetime gig in New York for which Hill was due tomake $500,000. Glasper said the backing band worked 10hour days for a week to rehearse for a scheduled 20-minute show, and Hill made things difficult.
“Every day she comes in and changes the show. ... The last rehearsal, she doesn’t show up,” Glasper said. “Her manager shows up and says ‘Lauryn’s not really feeling the way that you guys have been learning the music. So, we’re gonna cut your pay in half.’”
Glasper saidhe bailed on the show.