Her classic, critically acclaimed debut album Miseducation of Lauryn Hill went outside of the box for female rappers of her kind, making listeners think about greater causes in their community and how to be a powerful female without selling yourself short. The album also proved to be a huge landmark in rap, as it combined rap, r&b and neo-soul into a unique and beautiful mixture, full of different religious stories and concepts.
Although she retired after the success of her debut, mostly due to her child, Lauryn continued to make appearances at different shows (including at a concert with Drake in 2014). Shortly after announcing her official retirement, Lauryn returned to the scene to release MTV Unplugged 2.0, a live album where she explored with folk, departing from her rap/neo-soul style. Hill is also set to perform tracks from Miseducation in 2018 on its 20th Anniversary.
In a world where sex sells, Lauryn proved that her brand of empowering and soulful music is everlasting.
Every Ghetto
Ms. Lauryn Hill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Skinny legs, a press and curl
My mother always thought I'd be a star
But way before my record deal,
The streets that nurtured Lauryn Hill
Made sure that I'd never go too far
Every ghetto, every city and suburban place I've been
Make me recall my days in the New Jerusalem
When kids were stealing quartervilles for fun
Kill the guy in Carter park
Rode a Mongoose 'til it's dark
Watching kids show off the stolen ones
Every ghetto, every city and suburban place I've been
Make me recall my days in New Jerusalem
You know it's hot, don't forget what you've got
Looking back,
Looking back, looking back, looking back
You know it's hot, don't forget what you've got
Looking back
Looking back, looking back, looking back
A bag of Bontons, twenty cents and a nickel
Springfield Ave. had the best popsicles
Saturday morning cartoons and Kung-Fu
Main street roots tonic with the dreds
A beef patty and some coco bread
Move the patch from my Lees to the tongue of my shoe
'Member Frelng-Huysen used to have the bomb leather
Back when Doug Fresh and Slick Rick were together
Looking at the crew, we thought we'd all live forever
You know it's hot, don't forget what you've got
Looking back
Looking back, looking back, looking back
You know it's hot, don't forget what you've got
Looking back
Looking back, looking back, looking back
Drill teams on Munn street
Remember when Hawthorne and Chancellor had beef
Moving Records was on Central Ave.
I was there at dancing school
South Orange Ave. at Borlin pool
Unaware of what we didn't have
Writing your friends' names on your jeans with a marker
July 4th races off of Parker
Fireworks at Martin stadium
The Untouchable P.S.P., where all them crazy niggas be
And car thieves got away through Irvington
Hillside brings beef with the cops
Self-Destruction record drops
And everybody's name was Muslim
Sensations and '88 attracted kids from out-of-state
And everybody used to do the wop
Jack, Jack, Jack ya body
Nah, the Biz Mark used to amp up the party
I wish those days, they didn't stop
Every ghetto, every city and suburban place I've been
Make me recall my days in New Jerusalem
You know it's hot, don't forget what you've got
Looking back
Looking back, looking back, looking back
You know it's hot, don't forget what you've got
Looking back
Looking back, looking back, looking back
You know it's hot, don't forget what you've got
Looking back
Looking back, looking back, looking back
Looking back, looking back, looking back
Looking back, looking back, looking back
Looking back, looking back, looking back
Looking back, looking back, looking back
Looking back, looking back, looking back
In "Every Ghetto Every City" Lauryn Hill reminisces about her childhood in the New Jerusalem neighborhood of Newark, New Jersey. She describes herself as a "little girl with skinny legs and a press and curl" whose mother believed she would become a star. Despite this dream, Hill recognizes that the streets where she grew up shaped her into the person she is today. She recounts her memories of Saturday morning cartoons, Kung-Fu, and the best popsicles on Springfield Ave. Additionally, she mentions how she and her friends used to write their names on their jeans with a marker and the popularity of the wop dance.
However, not all of Hill's memories are happy. She also references the violence and crime that plagued her hometown, from kids stealing bicycles to shootings in Carter park. She mentions the beef between different neighborhoods and how car thieves were able to get away through Irvington. Furthermore, Hill notes the impact of the Sensational Self-Destruction Movement's "Stop the Violence" movement on the Muslim community in her neighborhood.
Through her lyrics, Hill emphasizes the importance of remembering and honoring one's roots, no matter where they came from. She recognizes that her childhood in the New Jerusalem neighborhood, with all its ups and downs, helped shape the person she has become today.
Line by Line Meaning
I was just a little girl
Skinny legs, a press and curl
My mother always thought I'd be a star
But way before my record deal,
The streets that nurtured Lauryn Hill
Made sure that I'd never go too far
Growing up as a young girl, my mother always saw something special in me, but even before I became a successful musician, the streets I grew up on instilled in me a sense of humility and kept me grounded.
Every ghetto, every city and suburban place I've been
Make me recall my days in the New Jerusalem
No matter where I go, I am constantly reminded of my roots and where I came from.
Story starts at Hootaville grew up next to Ivy Hill
When kids were stealing quartervilles for fun
Kill the guy in Carter park
Rode a Mongoose 'til it's dark
Watching kids show off the stolen ones
Every ghetto, every city and suburban place I've been
Make me recall my days in New Jerusalem
My childhood was filled with experiences that were unique to the place where I grew up. From stealing quartervilles with other kids to witnessing more serious crimes like murder, my upbringing was far from perfect. Despite this, I still have fond memories of my childhood and appreciate where I came from.
A bag of Bontons, twenty cents and a nickel
Springfield Ave. had the best popsicles
Saturday morning cartoons and Kung-Fu
Main street roots tonic with the dreds
A beef patty and some coco bread
Move the patch from my Lees to the tongue of my shoe
'Member Frelng-Huysen used to have the bomb leather
Back when Doug Fresh and Slick Rick were together
Looking at the crew, we thought we'd all live forever
Despite the hardships of my childhood, there were also simple pleasures like enjoying a bag of candy or a treat from the local shop. I also have nostalgic memories of watching Saturday morning cartoons and hanging out with friends. Music was also a huge part of my life, and I remember when Doug Fresh and Slick Rick were popular artists.
Drill teams on Munn street
Remember when Hawthorne and Chancellor had beef
Moving Records was on Central Ave.
I was there at dancing school
South Orange Ave. at Borlin pool
Unaware of what we didn't have
Writing your friends' names on your jeans with a marker
July 4th races off of Parker
Fireworks at Martin stadium
The Untouchable P.S.P., where all them crazy niggas be
And car thieves got away through Irvington
Hillside brings beef with the cops
Self-Destruction record drops
And everybody's name was Muslim
Sensations and '88 attracted kids from out-of-state
And everybody used to do the wop
Jack, Jack, Jack ya body
Nah, the Biz Mark used to amp up the party
I wish those days, they didn't stop
Every ghetto, every city and suburban place I've been
Make me recall my days in New Jerusalem
These are all memories of specific places and events that happened in my childhood. From drill teams to neighborhood rivalries, I have vivid memories of places like Munn street and Central Ave. I also remember spending time at dancing school and the local pool, and how writing on my jeans with a marker was all the rage. Holidays like July 4th were a big deal, with races and fireworks being common occurrences. I also remember how music brought people together, with popular artists like Biz Mark and their songs like 'Jack ya body' being a huge hit at parties. As I reflect on these memories, I can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia and longing for those simpler times.
You know it's hot, don't forget what you've got
Looking back
Looking back, looking back, looking back
You know it's hot, don't forget what you've got
Looking back
Looking back, looking back, looking back
You know it's hot, don't forget what you've got
Looking back
Looking back, looking back, looking back
Looking back, looking back, looking back
Looking back, looking back, looking back
Looking back, looking back, looking back
Looking back, looking back, looking back
Throughout the whole song, I keep repeating the phrases 'You know it's hot, don't forget what you've got' and 'Looking back'. These phrases serve as a reminder to cherish the memories and experiences from our past, and to never forget where we came from. It's important to stay grounded and appreciate what we have, and this song is a testament to that sentiment.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: LAURYN HILL, VADA NOBLES, RASHEEM SHARRIEF PUGH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind