Lauryn Hill celebrates her 42nd birthday today (May 26).

She's remained one of the most beloved and revered artists in music for more than two decades. Of course, Lauryn achieved major success as a member of the Fugees with their 1996 album The Score, which went six times platinum, was nominated for an Album of the Year Grammy and is considered a hip-hop classic.

She proved she could rhyme with the best of them on songs like "Fu-Gee-La" and "Family Business" while showcasing her great, tender singing voice on "Killing Me Softly."

She dropped her solo debut The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in 1998, a resounding look at inner city life, romance and motherhood. Hill's lone solo studio album went eight times platinum and was the first hip-hop album to win Album of the Year at the 1999 Grammy Awards.

She endured low points in the 2000s. Hill was dogged by the media for her eccentric behavior and in May 2013, she was sentenced to three months in prison for tax evasion.

Hill emerged from prison strong and courageous. She went back to touring and released "Black Rage (Sketch)," a chilling track, which focused on social issues concerning black America. The song proved that Hill still had the power to make people feel with her voice.

She's still one of music's most celebrated and for good reason. Ms. Lauryn Hill is a powerful presence that looms large over a generation. 

Hopefully, Ms. Hill will return to the music game and bless us with another solo album.

Watch Lauryn Hill's "Everything Is Everything" Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3_dOWYHS7I

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