Lauryn HillThe Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

Live instrumentation, gospel harmony, and one of the great vocal performances on record. 'Doo Wop (That Thing)' snaps on horns and warning, 'Ex-Factor' lays heartbreak bare over a slow, aching groove, and 'To Zion' turns motherhood into hymn. She rapped and sang better than anyone that year, and swept the Grammys for it. The rare record that deserves every word written about it.