Why Lauryn Hill Decided Against Releasing A Second Album

The eight-time Grammy winner said she didn’t receive any support from her record label.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Lauryn Hill explained that her record label at the time wanted her sophomore album to be less political and expected her to meet their guidelines. “The wild thing is no one from my label has ever called me and asked, how can we help you make another album,” she said.

“People had included me in their own narratives of their successes as it pertained to my album and if this contradicted my experience, I was considered an enemy. After The Miseducation, there were scores of tentacled obstructionists, politics, repressing agendas, unrealistic expectations and saboteurs everywhere. I challenged the norm and introduced a new standard. I believe The Miseducation did that and I believe I still do this.

She technically released a second album, but it was a live recording for MTV Unplugged.
Hill released a live album in 2002 titled MTV Unplugged No. 2.0. and discussed her struggles as an artist and human being in-between song changes. However, critics and fans were feeling mixed about the live show as her tidbits reportedly turned them off regarding life and the music industry at the time.

However, the live album has been reviewed by modern critics, and some fans say they didn’t give it a chance until hearing the record for the second time. Artists like Kanye West and ASAP Rocky have recorded samples from Unplugged, which could’ve led newer fans to listen to the album.