Lauryn Hill
The rapper who delivered one of 2021's most acclaimed verses on Nas's 'Nobody'.
Lauryn Hill is an American rapper who contributed a comparatively rare rap verse to Nas's 2021 song "Nobody" from his thirteenth studio album, King's Disease II. The song was produced by Hit-Boy and written by Nas, Hill, Hit-Boy, Dustin James Corbett, and Joshua Strange. Hill's verse received widespread praise from music critics and was named one of the best verses of 2021 by several media outlets.
Quick Facts
- Birth Name
- Lauryn Noelle Hill
- Birth Date
- 1975-05-26 (age 51)
- Birth Place
- East Orange, New Jersey, U.S.
- Other Names
- Ms. Lauryn Hill / L. Boogie
- Occupation
- Rapper · singer · songwriter
- Years Active
- 1988–present
- Works
- Discography
- Awards
- Full list
- Partner
- Rohan Marley (1996–2009)
- Children
- 6, including Selah & YG
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Lauryn Hill's collaboration with Nas on "Nobody" marked their second musical collaboration, following their first work together on the 1996 hit single "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)". The two rappers also toured together on the Life Is Good/Black Rage tour in 2012 and again on a joint tour in 2017. While Hill sang on their previous collaboration, on "Nobody" she gave a comparatively rare rap verse. In her verse, Hill explained her absence from the music industry with the lyrics: "They tried to box me out while takin' what they want from me/I spent too many years living too uncomfortably," and defended her habit of arriving late to her own concerts: "My awareness like Keanu in The Matrix/I'm savin' souls and y'all complainin' 'bout my lateness."
Reader's Guide
Lauryn Hill's contribution to "Nobody" earned recognition from multiple media outlets as one of the best verses of 2021, including BET, Okayplayer, and HipHopDX. Complex named it the second best verse of that year. The song itself received positive reception from music critics, with Dana Scott of HipHopDX praising Nas' flow and comparing it to his previous acclaimed work. The song began trending on social media upon its release. Former United States president Barack Obama listed "Nobody" as one of his favorite songs of 2021. The song was also nominated for Impact Track at the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards.
Did You Know?
- Lauryn Hill gave a comparatively rare rap verse on "Nobody", whereas she sang on their previous collaboration "If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)".
- Hill's verse on "Nobody" was named the second best verse of 2021 by Complex.
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