Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Noelle Hill (born May 26, 1975) is an American singer, songwriter, rapper, and record producer. She is regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time, as well as one of the most influential musicians of her generation. Hill is credited for breaking barriers for women rappers, popularizing melodic rap, redefining hip hop, and helping neo soul reach mainstram popularity. In addition to being named one of the 50 Great Voices by NPR, Hill has been listed as one of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time by Rolling Stone. In 2015, she was ranked as the greatest woman rapper by Billboard. Her accolades include eight Grammy Awards, the most for a female rapper to this day. Source

excerpt from “Final Hour”

I'm about to change the focus from the richest to the brokest

I wrote this opus to reverse the hypnosis

Whoever's closest to the line's gonna win it

You gon' fall trying to ball

While my team win the pennant

I'm about to begin it

For a minute then run for senate

Make a slumlord be the tenant, give his money to kids to spend it

And then amend it, every law that ever prevented

Our survival since our arrival

Documented in The Bible like Moses and Aaron

Things gon' change, it's apparent

And all the transparent gon' be seen through

Let God redeem you

Keep your deen true

You can get the green too

Watch out who you cling to, observe how a queen do

And I remain calm reading the 73 Psalm

'Cause with all that's going on I got the world in my palm

You could get the money, you could get the power

But keep your eyes on the final hour

You can get the money, you can get the power

But keep your eyes on the final hour

Published:

1998

Length:

Regular

Literary Movements:

Rap & Hip Hop

Anthology Years:

2025

Themes:

Faith & Hope

Politics

Racial Injustice