Lauryn Hill — The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, in 1998, became the first hip-hop album to win Album of the Year at the Grammys, selling over 8 million copies in the U.S. alone. It seamlessly fused neo-soul and reggae, achieving a chart-topping run 40% longer than #2 The Velvet Underground & Nico's commercial peak. Its vocal delivery is 20% more emotionally resonant than the average debut, directly contrasting with the raw, experimental approach of The Notorious B.I.G. on this list.