Lauryn Hill’s Grammy-Winning Album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" to Be Entered Into the Library of Congress

According to the Library of Congress press release, among requirements for inclusion in the archive are that the recordings be “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant” and be at least 10 years old. The Library of Congress gave a lengthy explanation as to why it chose Hill’s debut album:

“Lauryn Hill’s debut solo record, following the breakup of the Fugees, is a work of honesty in which Hill explores her feelings on topics that included the deep wonder of pregnancy, the pitfalls of modern relationships and the experience of the sacred. The album effortlessly fuses soul, rhythm and blues, rap and reggae. Hill’s vocal range, smooth clear highs and vibrato are stunning. The rapping is rhythmically compelling while always retaining, and frequently exploiting, the natural cadences of conversational speech. Standout guest performances include Carlos Santana’s soulful acoustic guitar solo on ‘Zion,’ and duets with Mary J. Blige and D’Angelo on ‘I Used to Love Him’ and ‘Nothing Even Matters,’ respectively.”

Hill’s album joins an eclectic list, which includes Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me,” Sly and the Family Stone’s Stand album, and even a Sesame Street platinum-hits album.

Check out the full list of inductees below:

1. Vernacular Wax Cylinder Recordings at University of California, Santa Barbara Library (c.1890-1910)

2. The Benjamin Ives Gilman Collection, recorded at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition at Chicago (1893)

3. “The Boys of the Lough”/ “The Humours of Ennistymon” (single)—Michael Coleman (1922)

4. “Black Snake Moan” / “Match Box Blues” (single)—Blind Lemon Jefferson (1927)

5. “Sorry, Wrong Number” (episode of Suspense radio series, May 25, 1943)

6. “Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive” (single)—Johnny Mercer (1944)

7. Radio Coverage of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Funeral—Arthur Godfrey, et al (April 14, 1945)

8. Kiss Me, Kate (original cast album) (1949)

9. John Brown’s Body (album)—Tyrone Power, Judith Anderson, and Raymond Massey; directed by Charles Laughton (1953)

10. “My Funny Valentine” (single)—The Gerry Mulligan Quartet featuring Chet Baker (1953)

11. “Sixteen Tons” (single)—Tennessee Ernie Ford (1955)

12. “Mary Don’t You Weep” (single)—The Swan Silvertones (1959)

13. Joan Baez (album)—Joan Baez (1960)

14. “Stand by Me” (single)—Ben E. King (1961)

15. New Orleans’ Sweet Emma Barrett and Her Preservation Hall Jazz Band (album)—Sweet Emma and Her Preservation Hall Jazz Band (1964)

16. “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’’ (single)—The Righteous Brothers (1964)

17. The Doors (album)—The Doors (1967)

18. Stand! (album)—Sly and the Family Stone (1969)

19. Lincoln Mayorga and Distinguished Colleagues (album)—Lincoln Mayorga (1968)

20. A Wild and Crazy Guy (album)—Steve Martin (1978)

21. Sesame Street: All-Time Platinum Favorites (album)—Various (1995)

22. OK Computer (album)—Radiohead (1997)

23. Old Regular Baptists: Lined-Out Hymnody From Southeastern Kentucky (album)—Indian Bottom Association (1997)

24. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (album)—Lauryn Hill (1998)

25. Fanfares for the Uncommon Woman (album)—Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Marin Alsop, conductor; Joan Tower, composer (1999)
article by Yesha Callahan via theroot.com