In a world full of antidotes and pandas, the people need more substance.

Substance is an understatement when discussing how much Lauryn Hill’s album “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” truly was to those who appreciated it.

Double major Brianna Merihue said “It depends on what perspective you take. I think in it’s time everybody knew the album was something revolutionary.

“Since then people have taken the time to get to know her and know what that album was how beautiful that thing was, I feel there’s a lot of people who don’t know that music and they should.”

The album was released on Aug. 25, 1998 and no one has ever come close to even scratching the surface of what Hill was able to do with this project.

With all the talk in the music industry about all-time classic albums, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” should rank near the top, if not at the apex.

Merihue added, “As far as all-time albums? That’s — that is still really high on my list because that album is clean from top to bottom. She really took the time to craft that album.”

While there is a time and place for any and every type of music, it has become sorely obvious that we are seriously lacking in one genre.

The album was labeled as hip-hop mixed with neo soul.

By definition, neo soul is a blend between soul and contemporary R&B, a sound that is not easily duplicated.

Pharmacy technician major Liah Saile said, “Maybe Mary J. Blidge a little bit, but no one will ever compare to Hill because its so unique.”

In its first week of sales Hill, also known as L. Boogie, surpassed the 420,000 mark. Which broke a record for first week sales for a female recording artist.

In its first 10 years, the album eclipsed the 8 million sales mark.

“I think the people who buy [the album] now are people who have heard it from someone who had that album,” Merihue said.

The album was like nothing of its kind before.

The album was uplifting, inspiring and all around breath-taking. With a wide array of musical idiosyncrasies, Hill took the world by storm and never looked back.

Oddly enough, despite the success of the album, it was the only solo project completed by Hill.

However, she did participate in two albums with the rap group The Fugees.

Business management major Broderick Woods said, “I feel like the group helped her by giving her growth and showing her which way to take her career. Wycleaf [Jean] had a lot to do with that.”

Hill chose to step away from her music by choice, due to circumstances she only knows.

However, when we look at the artists of today, one could only imagine; ‘What would a Drake and Lauryn Hill collaboration sound like? Or what about J. Cole?’

“She has such a soulful sound almost blues, jazz kind of vibe, but she came from the Fugees. I feel like if Drake or J. Cole or God forbid Kanye, she would bring heart to them and I think that is whats missing now,” Merihue added.

Judging by the increase in sales as the project gets older it looks as if this album was meaningful then and just as meaningful now.