Scan barcode
abookdoctor's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
misselenius's review against another edition
4.0
Quick gift of a read by Morgan. She contextualizes Lauryn Hill and Miseducation in a black feminist lens, showing the waves of #blackgirlmagic from the 90s to today. Brings in scholar-sisters for dialogues on Lauryn Hill, with no easy answers. Can read in one sitting, the book playing as if it's an album.
leecalliope's review against another edition
This book is extremely not written for me who was 3 when the album was released + doesn't have much of an interest in music production? I had never heard of Lauryn Hill. So take all this w a grain of salt.
I enjoyed it as a peek into a different culture, I guess. It is interesting! Like a magazine article. Certainly I buy into the idea that the deification of certain artists, especially black women, does more harm than good in the long run. And also, I think just? It is no good for everyone to know about an artist at once. No one should be a household name! Subcultures only! But I don't think that's really actionable.
I enjoyed it as a peek into a different culture, I guess. It is interesting! Like a magazine article. Certainly I buy into the idea that the deification of certain artists, especially black women, does more harm than good in the long run. And also, I think just? It is no good for everyone to know about an artist at once. No one should be a household name! Subcultures only! But I don't think that's really actionable.
shannanh's review against another edition
3.0
Can't say this was one of my favorites, but I was able to finish it.
just_tosh's review against another edition
5.0
The soundtrack of a generation. Awesome playlist at the end of the book.
safiya's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
4.0
As a person who, when I’m feeling my most chaotic, will tell people that ‘I don’t like music’, this is not an obvious book choice for me, and definitely not the type I’d read if it wasn’t about someone I love as much as Ms. Lauryn Hill.
She Begat This explores Lauryn Hill’s debut solo album, not only one of my favourites, but one that is regularly listed in best ever album lists. Morgan explores the impact of Hill’s music from
Fugees to Miseducation.. and beyond, as well as Hill herself as the cultural icon she has become, particularly to Black women of a certain generation.
At times I wished this was longer, largely because there were certain themes that needed depth and a little room to breathe, whilst others felt unnecessarily long. For example, it touches on the respectability politics surrounding the backlash to Hill’s first pregnancy, which could’ve developed into a deeper exploration of misogynoir (and internalised misogyny. Morgan instead stops far too soon, in order to talk about the Clinton administration which although in the context makes sense, in comparison felt quite long.
But overall this book was a joy to read. Morgan gushes and/or explores failings where necessary. She Begat This is celebratory and a completely nerdy indulgence, I also can’t complain about the inclusion of a curated playlist either.
jessicabrazeal's review against another edition
4.0
Calling all the Lauryn Hill fans!! You will love this ode and tribute to a very talented woman. This is essentially an anthropological look at the role and influence of Ms. Lauryn Hill’s one and only solo studio-produced album, the impact it made on the culture of hip hop, and the path it carved for black women. There are explanations of the meanings and history behind the songs and what was happening in the music scene at that time. My only complaint was that I wanted it to be longer and to have pictures! Ok, I’m going to rewatch Sister Act 2 right now!
conceptuallysound's review against another edition
3.0
This was not what I expected, yet informative. 3.5 stars
razmanda's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating deep-dive into Lauryn Hill’s seminal album, hip hop culture and the way America treats celebrity but more specifically, black women.