The young woman -- who Public Enemy's Chuck D admiringly describes as "sunlight" and a "Bob Marley (of the) 21st Century," has documented her glorious, multi-faceted life on record.

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill forays into hip-hop territory with cuts like "Doo Wop" and the Jamaican-tinged grooves of "Lost Ones." Throughout the album, Hill's delicious vocals engage and captivate. Musically, she brings a warmth and sensitivity to the sound of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill and displays her wide knowledge of the workings of the studio as producer on this stunning debut. She is undaunted by the fact that this area of recording is considered mainly male territory. "Men have a hard time taking direction from women, but when you pay somebody, you pay them to get it right, " she says. "I think that women will be called 'bitches' and 'hard to work with' if they ask for and get what they want. So I don't pay attention to that at all. Music is so important to me and how I come across in music is so important. I'm a perfectionist. If I have to do it a hundred times, I'll do it a hundred times!"

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is evidence of her self-assured attitude as a well-rounded artist and studio technician. Her skills as a prolific songwriter have led to her writing songs for various artists. She wrote and produced "On That Day" for gospel artist CeCe Winans, and, in addition to writing the smash hit title cut for Aretha Franklin's album, A Rose is Still a Rose, Lauryn also directed songs accompanying video. She has proven herself to be a versatile performer and producer. Her immense talent transcends gender-specific constraints. "Men like it when you sing to them. But step out and try and control things and there are doubts. This is a very sexist industry," she opines. "They'll never throw the genius title to a sister. They'll just call her 'diva' and think it's a compliment. It's like our flair and vanity are put before our musical and intellectual contributions."

Having spent her much of her formative years in the nation's spotlight, first as an actress (she appeared in a recurring role in "As the World Turns" and was featured in "Sister Act II: Back In the Habit") and now as a multi-platinum artist who still finds time for charitable causes (she is the founder of non-profit organization, The Refugee Camp Youth Project, whose manifesto is based on giving back to the community and improving the quality of life for inner city children), Lauryn Hill has very much come into her own and The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is the musical proof. As Lauryn Hill, the hip-hop groundbreaking genius, puts it, "I want my music to touch real people. I'm still trying to figure myself out, like most people.... because I'm still living and learning."

Columbia/Rough House