Hill is noted as a humanitarian, and in 1996 she received an Essence Award for work which has included the 1996 founding of the Refugee Project, an outreach organization that supports a two-week overnight camp for at-risk youth, and for supporting well-building projects in Kenya and Uganda, as well as for staging a rap concert in Harlem to promote voter registration.
In 1999's Grammy Awards, Hill was nominated eleven times and won Album of the Year (beating Madonna's critically acclaimed album Ray of Light), Best New Artist, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, Best R&B Song, Best R&B Album, setting a new record for a female performer.
Hill has four children with retired (American) football player Rohan Marley, son of the late reggae music icon, Bob Marley: Zion David Marley, born 1997, Selah Louise Marley, born 1998, and second son Joshua, born 2002. A fourth child, John, was born in 2003 and the couple married soon after.
Early life
Lauryn Hill was born in East Orange, New Jersey. Hill was the second of two children born to high school English teacher Valerie Hill and computer programmer Mal Hill. As a child, Hill incessantly listened to her parents' Motown and 1960s soul records. Music was a central part of the Hill home. Mal Hill sang at weddings, Valerie played the piano, and Lauryn's older brother Melaney played the saxophone, guitar and drums.
Hill graduated from Columbia High School (New Jersey) in Maplewood, New Jersey. Hill was an active student, cheerleader, and performer. She began her acting career at a young age, and started performing music in 1987. In 1988, 13-year old Hill appeared as an Amateur Night contestant on It's Showtime at the Apollo. Hill sang her own version of William "Smokey" Robinson's song "Who's Lovin' You?". A nervous Hill sung far away from the mic and was heckled at first; but persisted and finished her song to a standing applause, though she did not win.
Hill was childhood friends with actor Zach Braff and they both graduated from Columbia High School in 1993. Braff mentions inviting Hill to his bar Mitzvah in 1988.[1]
Hill appeared on the soap opera, As The World Turns as Kira Johnson. In December 1993, she starred in "Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit" as Rita Louise Watson. In the film, she performed the songs "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" (a duet with Tanya Blount) and "Joyful,Joyful" . It was in this role, as Rita, that she first came to national prominence, with Roger Ebert calling her "the girl with the big joyful voice". Although Sister Act I and II were originally conceived as vehicles for comedian Whoopi Goldberg, the second installment won Lauryn equal notice.
Her other acting work includes the play Club XII with MC Lyte, and the motion pictures King of the Hill (as Arletta the Elevator Operator), Hav Plenty (1997), and Restaurant (1998). She appeared on the soundtracks to Conspiracy Theory in 1996 (on the track "Can't Take My Eyes Off You") and Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood in 2002 (on the track "Selah").
Her most recent album (mixtape) entitled "The Re-Education of Lauryn Hill" was released in 2007.
Superstar
Lauryn Hill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh-huh, yo
Now everybody tryin to chart
Say what? hip-hop, started out in the heart
Yo, now everybody tryin to chart
Come on now baby come on now baby come on now baby come on, uhh
Come on now baby come on now baby come on now baby come on
Everything you drop is so tired
Music is supposed to inspire
How come we ain't gettin no higher?
Now tell me your philosophy
On exactly what an artist should be
Should they be someone with prosperity
And no concept of reality?
Now, who you know without any flaws?
That lives above the spiritual laws?
And does anything they feel just because
There's always someone there who'll applaud?
Come on baby light my fire
Everything you drop is so tired
Music is supposed to inspire
How come we ain't gettin no higher?
I know you think that you've got it all
And by making other people feel small
Makes you think you're unable to fall
But when you do, who you gonna call?
See what you give is just what you get
I know it hasn't hit you yet!
Now I don't mean to get you upset
But every cause has an effect! uh-huh!
Come on baby light my fire
Everything you drop is so tired
Music is supposed to inspire
So how come we ain't gettin no higher?
I cross sands in distant lands, made plans with the sheiks
Why you beef with freaks as my album sales peak? uhh
All I wanted was to sell like five hundred
And be a ghetto supastar since my first album _blunted_
I used to work at foot locker, they fired me and fronted
Or I quitted, now I spit it however do you want it!
Now you get it, writing rhymes, in the range, with the frames
Lightly tinted, then send it to your blcok to have my full name
Cemented (lauryn hill!) and if your lines sound like mine
I'm taking a percentage (ka-ching!) unprecedented, and still respected
When it's finished, I'm serious, I'm takin over areas in aquarius
Runnin red lights with my ten thousand chariots
Just as christ was a superstar, you stupid, star
They hail you then nail you, no matter who you are
They'll make you now then take you down, and make you face it
If you slit the bag open, put your pinky in it and taste it
Come on baby light my fire
Everything you drop is so tired
Music is supposed to inspire
So how come we ain't gettin no higher?
Come on baby light my fire
Everything you drop is so tired
Music is supposed to inspire
So how come we ain't gettin no higher?
Come on baby light my fire
Everything you drop is so tired
Music is supposed to inspire
So how come we ain't gettin no higher?
In "Superstar," Lauryn Hill reflects on the commercialization of hip-hop and the superficiality of success within the music industry. She begins by acknowledging the roots of hip-hop in the heart and soul, and contrasts this with the current state of the genre, where everyone is trying to "chart." Hill questions the definition of an artist and whether success and prosperity equate to credibility and authenticity. She challenges the notion that those who are flawless and above the spiritual laws are the ones who succeed in the industry, and asks why music is not inspiring us to greater heights. Hill argues that what we give is what we get and encourages listeners not to be complacent with the status quo.
In the second verse, Hill touches on her own experience in the music industry, referencing her album sales and her desire to be a "ghetto superstar." She calls out the beefs and the backstabbing that often accompany success in the industry and laments the fact that creativity and originality are often undervalued in favor of imitation. Hill asserts that she is taking over areas in Aquarius (a reference to the astrological age of Aquarius, which is associated with revolution and freedom), and compares herself to Christ as a superstar who was hailed and then nailed. In this final verse, Hill highlights the fickle and unforgiving nature of the industry, where success is fleeting and failure is swift.
Overall, "Superstar" is a powerful commentary on the commercialization of hip-hop and the need for authenticity and inspiration. Hill is not afraid to call out the industry for its flaws and encourages listeners to strive for something more meaningful than just chart success.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo hip-hop, started out in the heart
Hip-hop was a genre created from the soul and passion of the people.
Now everybody tryin to chart
Everyone nowadays just wants to make popular music for the sake of fame and money.
Come on baby light my fire
Motivate and inspire me to do better.
Everything you drop is so tired
Your work lacks creativity and originality.
Music is supposed to inspire
Good music should evoke strong emotional responses and motivate action.
How come we ain't gettin no higher?
Why aren't we reaching new heights of creativity and artistry?
Now tell me your philosophy
What do you believe makes someone a true artist?
On exactly what an artist should be
The characteristics and values that define a true artist.
Should they be someone with prosperity
Is financial success a requirement for true artistry?
And no concept of reality?
Should artists be disconnected from the realities of everyday life?
Now, who you know without any flaws?
Is there anyone who truly has no imperfections or shortcomings?
That lives above the spiritual laws?
Is it possible to exist outside of moral and ethical codes?
And does anything they feel just because
Is there value in expressing oneself without any regard for the consequences or impact?
There's always someone there who'll applaud?
No matter what you do, there will always be people who will support and validate you.
I know you think that you've got it all
You may believe that you have all the answers and knowledge.
And by making other people feel small
You try to build yourself up by putting others down.
Makes you think you're unable to fall
You believe that you are invincible and cannot fail.
But when you do, who you gonna call?
When you inevitably fail or make mistakes, who will be there to support you?
See what you give is just what you get
The energy and effort you put into something is reflected in the results you achieve.
I know it hasn't hit you yet!
You may not realize this truth yet, but it will become clear eventually.
But every cause has an effect! uh-huh!
Every action taken will have a corresponding consequence or outcome.
I cross sands in distant lands, made plans with the sheiks
I travel to far-off places and collaborate with influential people.
Why you beef with freaks as my album sales peak? uhh
Why do you waste your time and energy on petty drama while I thrive with success?
All I wanted was to sell like five hundred
I originally had modest goals and just wanted to sell a few hundred albums.
And be a ghetto supastar since my first album blunted
I aimed to become a popular and respected artist from humble beginnings.
I used to work at foot locker, they fired me and fronted
I had a regular job at Foot Locker that I was fired from, but I still pursued my passion for music.
Or I quitted, now I spit it however do you want it!
I either quit or was fired, but now I do music the way that I want to do it.
Now you get it, writing rhymes, in the range, with the frames
I am explaining my journey and my current state of writing and performing music.
Lightly tinted, then send it to your blcok to have my full name
I am advertising myself and distributing my music in my community.
Cemented (lauryn hill!) and if your lines sound like mine
My name is established and recognized, and if your work is similar to mine, I will be entitled to royalties and recognition.
I'm taking a percentage (ka-ching!) unprecedented, and still respected
I am entitled to a significant portion of profits from the sales of artists' efforts similar to mine.
When it's finished, I'm serious, I'm takin over areas in aquarius
I intend to establish my influence and control over a particular community or audience.
Runnin red lights with my ten thousand chariots
I am in control and powerful, with many resources and followers supporting me.
Just as christ was a superstar, you stupid, star
Like Jesus, I am a superstar and should not be underestimated.
They hail you then nail you, no matter who you are
People will initially support you and then turn against you, regardless of your position or status.
They'll make you now then take you down, and make you face it
People will build you up for their own purposes and then tear you down and make you accountable for their failures.
If you slit the bag open, put your pinky in it and taste it
If you engage in illegal or immoral activities, you will eventually be caught and made to face the consequences.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Jim Morrison, Johari Jermone Newton, John Paul Densmore, Lauryn N Hill, Rasheem Sharrief Pugh, Raymond D Manzarek, Robert A Krieger, Tejumold Ramone Newton, Vada J Nobles
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nikashofman2756
Yo Hip-Hop, started out in the heart
Uh-huh, yo
Now everybody tryin' to chart
Say what? Hip-Hop, started out in the heart
Yo, now everybody tryin' to chart
C'mon now baby, c'mon now baby
C'mon now baby, c'mon, uh
C'mon now baby, c'mon now baby
C'mon now baby, c'mon
C'mon baby light my fire (C'mon)
Everything you drop is so tired (Everything)
Music is supposed to inspire
How come we ain't gettin' no higher?
Now tell me your philosophy
On exactly what an artist should be
Should they be someone with prosperity
And no concept of reality?
Now, who you know without any flaws?
That lives above the spiritual laws?
And does anything they feel just because
There's always someone there who'll applaud?
C'mon baby light my fire
Everything you drop is so tired
Music is supposed to inspire
What are we here for? What are we here for?
How come we ain't gettin' no higher?
I know you think that you've got it all
And by making other people feel small
Makes you think you're unable to fall (You can fall, you can fall)
But when you do, who you gonna call?
See what you give is just what you get
(What you give is just what you get)
I know it hasn't hit you yet
(I know it hasn't hit you yet)
Now I don't mean to get you upset
(Get upset, get upset)
But every cause has an effect, uh-huh
C'mon baby light my fire
Everything you drop is so tired
Music is supposed to inspire
So how come we ain't gettin' no higher?
(We ain't no higher, we ain't no higher)
I cross sands in distant lands, made plans with the sheiks
Why you beef with freaks as my album sales peak?, uh
All I wanted was to sell like five hundred
And be a ghetto superstar since my first album, Blunted
I used to work at Foot Locker, they fired me, I fronted
Or I quitted, now I spit it, however, do you want it?
Now you get it!
Writing rhymes, in the Range, with the frames slightly tinted
Then send it to your block and have my full name cemented (Lauryn Hill!)
And if your lines sound like mine I'm taking a percentage (ka-ching!)
Unprecedented, and still respected when it's vintage
I'm serious, I'm takin over areas in Aquarius
Runnin' red lights with my ten thousand chariots
Just as Christ was a Superstar, you stupid, star!
They'll hail you then nail you, no matter who you are
They'll make you now then take you down, and make you face it
If you slit the bag open, put your pinky in it and taste it
C'mon baby light my fire
Everything you drop is so tired
(Everything you drop, everything you drop)
Music is supposed to inspire
So, how come we ain't gettin' no higher? (We gettin' no higher, no higher)
C'mon baby light my fire
Everything you drop is so tired
Music is supposed to inspire
(Where you at now? Where you at now? Where you at now?)
So, how come we ain't gettin' no higher?
(How come we ain't gettin' no higher?)
C'mon baby light my fire (Yeah, c'mon baby!)
Everything you drop is so tired (Everything you drop is so tired)
Music is supposed to inspire
So, how come we ain't gettin' no higher?
(We ain't no higher)
@bryanmulwa8971
I love Lauryn. Her voice is magical. This album is soul food.
@lynettestuart6368
Yes...I'm just sitting here listening for my soul to be fed, Early one Sunday morning..... ♥️
@4rl0ng
True that, THE Queen of Rap.
@mrrsaf
This entire album was ahead of it's time.
@seductruss
Yes
@sulaimaanahmad
i concur! 👍
@mzladypie6601
Yes ahead of it's time, but right on time in 2020...
@aleamaesdaile4732
way
@keke410
Still is. U can't touch it.
@1MNAT
This album was genius! Every track is magical!