September 11, 2014

Throwback Thursday: Lauryn Hill - To Zion

 
This week's Throwback Thursday is represented by "To Zion" from Lauryn Hill's 1998 debut solo album, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill." This inspirational piece is dedicated to Lauryn's first born son, Zion David Marley, as it reflects her experience being pregnant at the climax of her career. The song begins, "Unsure of what the balance held, I touched my belly overwhelmed, by what I had been chosen to perform." Lauryn proceeds to highlight the fact that her child comes before her career as she embraces the bearing as a blessing rather than a burden. The lyrics recommence, "Woe this crazy circumstance, I knew his life deserved a chance, but everybody told me to be smart. Look at your career they said, "Lauryn, baby use your head," but instead I chose to use my heart." And now...the joy of her world is in Zion, along with the rest of her children.
 
 
Modern hip-hop artist, J Cole samples the classic song in his "Truly Yours" EP with "Can I Holla At Ya."