Lauryn Hill – American singer, songwriter, actress
Lauryn Noelle Hill was born on 26 May 1975 in East Orange, New Jersey. Later, her family moved to New York. The future celebrity began demonstrating her music talent rather earlier. Lauryn spent her childhood learning tips from her father, who was a part-time entertainer. He sang at weddings and in nightclubs. The young singer was inspired by the work of such artists as Curtis Mayfield, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, and Gladys Knight.
While in school, Lauryn showed off her singing skills as often as possible. As a debut, she got a chance to appear on stage to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” before one of the school basketball games. Hill became a local star. However, her interpretation of Smokey Robinson’s "Who's Lovin' You" wasn’t appreciated by the public. The setback didn’t stop Hill from enjoying her hobby. Besides singing, she was a cheerleader, learned how to dance, and played the violin.
In high school, Lauryn formed her own band called Tranzlator Crew. The name stemmed from the members’ wish to sing in different languages. The group performed in front of the school audience. It became highly successful. Later it was renamed to The Fugees. The band’s album, The Score, recorded in 1996 sold 6 million copies in the USA only. It conquered American and European charts. In 1997, the band fell apart due to some internal disagreements. All members went on to pursue solo careers.
